Complot împotriva Vaticanului. Planul lui Hitler de a-l răpi pe Papa Pius al XII-lea

by Dan Kurzman

Un ordin şocant de la Hitler şi neaşteptata întorsătură luată de evenimente care reverberează şi astăzi!
Este septembrie 1943, cel de-al Doilea Război Mondial devastează Europa, iar Adolf Hitler este furios că aliatul şi prietenul lui Benito Mussolini a fost răsturnat de la putere în Italia. Trimite trupele germane în Roma şi îi dă „o misiune specială” generalului SS Karl Wolff.
Misiunea: să invadeze Vaticanul şi să îl răpească pe Papa Pius al XII-lea. Dovezile dezvăluie mai târziu că toţi membrii curiei trebuiau asasinaţi şi era posibil ca şi papa să aibă aceeaşi soartă.
Între timp, se fac planuri pentru deportarea evreilor Romei la Auschwitz ca parte a „Soluţiei Finale”.
Acum, atenţi să intre şi în graţiile Aliaţilor în probabilitatea tot mai mare a înfrângerii germanilor, generalul Wolff şi ceilalţi conspiratori încep să joace un joc periculos care le va schimba vieţile, reputaţiile şi istoria: decide să întârzie complotul lui Hitler împotriva papei, chiar şi când planurile de ridicare a evreilor din Roma sunt finalizate. Ca parte a acestui joc cinic, conspiratorii îl abordează pe papă, sperând să îl convingă că tăcerea lui în cazul inevitabilei acţiuni împotriva evreilor i-ar putea salva viaţa şi comorile de la Vatican şi poate ar diminua dimensiunile operaţiunii împotriva comunităţii evreieşti.
Indiferent de ceea ce va decide Pius, complotul împotriva lui va schimba cursul istoriei.
Această poveste a intrigilor şi trădării este unul din cele mai extraordinare episoade ale celui de-al Doilea Război Mondial. Dan Kurzman este primul jurnalist care l-a intervievat pe generalul Wolff după eliberarea lui din închisoare după război. Iar aceasta este singura carte care spune întreaga poveste detaliată a complotului împotriva Vaticanului şi a îndelungatelor sale consecinţe.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Religion, World War II, 20th Century, European History, Biography

234 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Dan Halperin Kurzman was an American journalist and writer of military history books. He studied at the University of California in Berkeley, served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946, and completed his studies at Berkeley with a Bachelor degree in political science. In the early 1950s, he worked in Europe and in Israel for American newspapers and news agencies and was then correspondent of the NBC News in Jerusalem.

Reviews

[Paul Pessolano · Rating 3 out of 5]

“A Special Mission, Hitler’s Secret Plot to Seize the Vatican and Kidnap Pope Pius XII”, by Dan Kurzman, published by Da Capo Press.

Category – History Publication Date – May 07, 2007

There has been a lot of controversy over the years concerning the role Pope Pius XII played during World War II. The cause of the discord is found in his association with the Hitler and the Nazi Party, his regard or the safety of the Jewish community, and how much knowledge he had of the Holocaust, and when he knew it.

He is often portrayed as a bigot and an anti-Semite, but was he really? The author thinks that the Pope knew what was going on but knew also that if he took any kind of action to defend the Jews the situation would have led to a greater persecution of the Jews and possibly the dissolution of the Vatican. The Pope, knowing that he could serve the people better if he maintained his silence, tried to work with the Nazis to improve conditions.

Hitler, fearful of what the Pope could or would do, set up plans to kidnap the Pope, and kill him if necessary, and seize the Vatican. This plot never came to fruition though due to better Nazi heads prevailing. It also should be noted that this was an effort on their part to save their own skins.

The book is very interesting and sheds new light on the Pope’s involvement during this time. Little time is spent on the actual kidnapping plot as most of the book concerns the interaction between the Pope, Nazis, and Jews.

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by no means a great book, nor is it a definitive study of its topic. It is, however, a well-written chapter of history, accessible to most anyone. I, having some considerable interest in WWII and in the Roman Catholic Church, found it quite engrossing.

I picked this book up at the Gail Borden Library in Elgin, Illinois, one of the most impressively people-friendly large public libraries I have ever visited.

[Bettie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hyperbolic treatment



SS General Karl Wolff

workaday mp3

Edition: Unabridged
Written by Dan Kurzman
Read by George K. Wilson

Blurb - In September 1943, Adolf Hitler, furious at the ouster of Mussolini, sent German troops into Rome and ordered SS General Karl Wolff, who had been Heinrich Himmler's chief aide, to occupy the Vatican and kidnap (and, perhaps, kill) Pope Pius XII. At the same time, plans were being made to deport Rome's Jews to Auschwitz. Wolff began playing a dangerous game: stalling Hitler's plot against the pope, whom he hoped would save him from the noose in case Germany lost the war. To save Pius, Wolff and fellow conspirators blackmailed him into silence when the Jews were rounded up, hoping that Hitler would rescind his order.

In 1943 Hitler attempted to kidnap Pope Pius XII so the Germans could occupy the Vatican. The Nazis were also planning to deport the Roman Jews to Auschwitz. SS General Karl Wolff, Heinrich Himmler's chief aide, was charged with carrying out these orders. George Wilson reads this WWII history in an even and engaged tone, effortlessly recounting each action of the convoluted plot, which Kurzman researched, in part using primary sources. The result is unexpected international intrigue as Wolff attempts to forestall both the kidnapping and the mass deportation while the Vatican tries to reign in the Reich's growing power through political and religious edicts.

[Adrianna C · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise is intriguing, but the book talks itself in circles. It was an interesting story, was constantly doubling back and re-stating things already said multiple times.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli was born in 1876, in Rome, Italy. Several members of his family were involved in the Catholic religious hierarchy. In 1894, he went to study theology at the Almo Collegio Capranica. He was ordained a priest in 1899. He was elected Pope in 1939, changing his name to Pope Pius XII. At the beginning of World War II, he tried to dissuade governments for entering into war. He followed a strict policy of neutrality, preferring to state a message of peace instead of taking a stand against nonsense and genocide. He did secretly offer assistance to Jewish people, which has been remembered favorably through the years. In the post-war era, he focused on material aid and the promotion of anti-Nazis to positions of power.

This book, and several others, have suggested that there was a plot schemed up by Hitler and his cronies to kidnap and possibly kill Pope Pius XII for his lack of support to the Nazi regime, his aid to targeted groups, in retaliation for Mussolini's fate, and simply because he hated Catholics. It has been said that these were simply propaganda rumors put out, but this seems like something Hitler and his minions would have done. I learned a bit about Pope Pius XII from this book, but I learned a good deal about SS General Karl Wolff, whom I had scarcely read about before now. I thought the book was interesting enough, though it did contain a lot of information and facts that I had previously encountered.

[Danilo Lipisk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still under the influence of the publication of the letter from the German Jesuit Koenig addressed to Pope Pacelli in December 1942, I read another book about his actions during the years of war and extermination.

Regarding the main theme, Hitler's secret plans to kidnap the Pope, I would only give the book 2 stars. Most of journalist and author Dan Kurzman's conclusions seem to me to be more of his own imagination.

I rate the book with 3 stars for the most objective part of the book which conjectures the Pope's reticent attitude towards the Nazi genocide, his fear of being kidnapped by the Germans and especially what could happen to Catholics in Germany and the properties of the Church in Rome and in the occupied countries. It doesn't justify it, but at least it's an explanation.

Furthermore, the book provides a lot of historical information about the fate of Rome's 8,000 Jews during the German occupation, how their leaders dealt with the threat of expulsion and murder, and how the Roman population in general did more than many other peoples did. to protect the city's Jewish population, including sheltering Jews in their homes, monasteries and even inside the Vatican. At this point, the book is quite detailed.

[Sheryl Hanefeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kurzman reveals the relationships that were built between the Nazis and the Vatican during the World War 2 Era. The plot to kidnap Pope Pius XII was explained and how it would never come to be. The reality of how little trust there was between the Nazi leaders and the fear of being sent to their death was depicted throughout the book. The role that Rome and the Vatican also are well told and the Pope’s desire to save the Roman and German Catholics from Hitler’s wrath.

[EC · Rating 1 out of 5]

Isn't this "H i t l e r' s Pope" or some shit? Or is that the other dude? Speculative fiction right here. A decent book but not a lot of truth telling. H i t I e r was a bad dude, but he could only hope to be as bad as Stalin or Mao or Castro or Biden. Biden would've voted for Mao or H i t I e r. Biden wouldn't even vote for himself, that's how evil (and dumb!) he is. "A Special-Ed Mission."

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book would have made a better magazine article. However it fulfiled my New Year's Resolution of reading 10 books I already own as book 1

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is a little uneven, but the story is interesting and the research behind it is extensive.

[Leo · Rating 1 out of 5]

80% propaganda - 20% history

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Reptilians made Hitler plan this! Kurzman has the details.

[JK-USA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems to really drag out the main plot to fill the covers. Still, a good story of history unknown to many.

[Seth Hendershot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting facts and opinions. Long backstory and build up for nothing.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn't get through this one. It has an amazing plot - Hitler decides to kidnap Pope Pius XII - that sounds like a Hollywood thriller. But it was all true.

The problem was either the writing itself, or the way it was told, or something. The author got all his information from people who were directly involved in the plot. And that's what bugged me, I guess. I just didn't want to read these Nazi officers justifying themselves and their racist views on everything. I just couldn't get through it.

[David Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all this seems to be a good book, bringing up praise and criticism for Pope Pius XII actions during WWII. The only thing criticism I have for it is the light touch it gives western leaders who were privately pushing Pius XII to make more overt statements about German treatment of the Jewish people, while rarely publicly making the same statements themselves.
.
This is truly a book that could have used a good editor. Over and over again a source brings up the same points.

[Carolann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won't lie. It was a struggle for me to get through this book.

I felt discomfort at times, but it felt important to finish reading.

It was an interesting good read.

That is about all I can say for it.

It is something I can't describe. You will just have to read it for yourself.

[Gordon Paisley · Rating 2 out of 5]

borrowed from Uncle John.
Dissappointing. Wasn't really about a "plot", but rather the broader context of the Vatican and the Pope in the context of if they should or shouldn't speak out about the holocaust.

[Neil Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unbearable dilemma......blackmail, sadistic nazis, save people and The Church......whichever you choose can bring death and life, destruction and reprieve, despair and hope.....options almost impossible to endure

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We never really find out what the actual plot was about, but this book explores the "diplomatic" links between the Nazis and Pope Pius the 12th. It was very revealing in its in depth character research about him Himmler, Wolff, and Pius the 12th and other personalities.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting--author's style is a bit confusing in places

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda short on actual story

[Steve Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book very interesting

[John Machata · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dry historical report of this quirky end of war mission.

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting topic but had a hard time keeping interested.

[Patrick Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot of story built on not a ton of information. But what a story! What an audacious plan!