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The Valhalla Exchange
A lone journalist unravels the mystery behind a Nazi war criminal's escape. In 1945, as the Allies closed in on war-ravaged Berlin, Hitler's personal secretary, Martin Bormann, made his escape. Since that fateful day, Bormann's story has been shrouded in mystery.Thirty-one years later, a journalist has begun to finally piece together Bormann's cunning getaway. His electrifying investigation exposes the unwitting role of five Allied POWs in Bormann's escape plot as the Nazi regime crumbled. Now, with help from a surviving POW, this journalist follows history's twists and turns to a final, shocking conclusion.
454 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1976
573 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
About the author
Jack Higgins
480 books1,277 followersThere is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Jack Higgins was best known of the many pseudonyms of Henry Patterson. (See also Martin Fallon, Harry Patterson, Hugh Marlowe and James Graham.)
He was the New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy thrillers, including The Eagle Has Landed and The Wolf at the Door. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Patterson grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, Patterson was a voracious reader and later credited his passion for reading with fueling his creative drive to be an author. His upbringing in Belfast also exposed him to the political and religious violence that characterized the city at the time. At seven years old, Patterson was caught in gunfire while riding a tram, and later was in a Belfast movie theater when it was bombed. Though he escaped from both attacks unharmed, the turmoil in Northern Ireland would later become a significant influence in his books, many of which prominently feature the Irish Republican Army. After attending grammar school and college in Leeds, England, Patterson joined the British Army and served two years in the Household Cavalry, from 1947 to 1949, stationed along the East German border. He was considered an expert sharpshooter.
Following his military service, Patterson earned a degree in sociology from the London School of Economics, which led to teaching jobs at two English colleges. In 1959, while teaching at James Graham College, Patterson began writing novels, including some under the alias James Graham. As his popularity grew, Patterson left teaching to write full time. With the 1975 publication of the international blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed, which was later made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Caine, Patterson became a regular fixture on bestseller lists. His books draw heavily from history and include prominent figures—such as John Dillinger—and often center around significant events from such conflicts as World War II, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Patterson lived in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
Jack Higgins was best known of the many pseudonyms of Henry Patterson. (See also Martin Fallon, Harry Patterson, Hugh Marlowe and James Graham.)
He was the New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy thrillers, including The Eagle Has Landed and The Wolf at the Door. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Patterson grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a child, Patterson was a voracious reader and later credited his passion for reading with fueling his creative drive to be an author. His upbringing in Belfast also exposed him to the political and religious violence that characterized the city at the time. At seven years old, Patterson was caught in gunfire while riding a tram, and later was in a Belfast movie theater when it was bombed. Though he escaped from both attacks unharmed, the turmoil in Northern Ireland would later become a significant influence in his books, many of which prominently feature the Irish Republican Army. After attending grammar school and college in Leeds, England, Patterson joined the British Army and served two years in the Household Cavalry, from 1947 to 1949, stationed along the East German border. He was considered an expert sharpshooter.
Following his military service, Patterson earned a degree in sociology from the London School of Economics, which led to teaching jobs at two English colleges. In 1959, while teaching at James Graham College, Patterson began writing novels, including some under the alias James Graham. As his popularity grew, Patterson left teaching to write full time. With the 1975 publication of the international blockbuster The Eagle Has Landed, which was later made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Caine, Patterson became a regular fixture on bestseller lists. His books draw heavily from history and include prominent figures—such as John Dillinger—and often center around significant events from such conflicts as World War II, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Patterson lived in Jersey, in the Channel Islands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
August 18, 2015
Jack Higgins is a name that is often associated with fast paced and highly engrossing political and espionage thrillers featuring some of the noblest of heroes ever to adorn the thriller genre. Jack Higgins is the pseudonym of ‘Harry Patterson’, a prolific British writer with more than 80 novels, who published his works under his own name as well as under his many other pseudonyms. ‘The Valhalla Exchange’, a World War II thriller, published under his real name ‘Harry Patterson’, is an electrifying tale of intrigue, which can keep the fans of political conspiracy fiction on the edge of their seats.
‘The Valhalla Exchange’ is an alternative take on the history by the author based on the doubts and speculations surrounding the death of Martin Bormann, the personal secretary of Hitler and one of the most powerful Nazi officials in the Third Reich. It is believed that he committed suicide on May 2nd to escape capture by Soviet troops and his body was buried on 8th May 1945. But this was not confirmed until 1972, and what became of him was a mystery and it was believed that he actually escaped alive from Europe when the Nazi Germany collapsed. Since his death was not confirmed, Martin Bormann was tried ‘in absentia’ in the Nuremberg trials. Taking this mystery as the seed of his thriller, with great imagination and skill Harry Patterson generates a first-class suspense novel, with enough twists and turns and a feel of authenticity, which makes it a delight to read.
The Valhalla Exchange was a fast read, with great moments of excitement, suspense, remarkable characters, exotic locations and thrilling action and is highly recommended for both World War II buffs and lovers of good action adventure tales.
An interesting fact: Harry Patterson’s thriller and adventure novels often topped the best-seller charts and in 1976 ‘Storm Warning’ written using the pseudonym ‘Jack Higgins’ and ‘The Valhalla Exchange’ written under his real name both appeared on the New York Times bestseller list simultaneously.
Actual rating: 3.5/ 5
‘The Valhalla Exchange’ is an alternative take on the history by the author based on the doubts and speculations surrounding the death of Martin Bormann, the personal secretary of Hitler and one of the most powerful Nazi officials in the Third Reich. It is believed that he committed suicide on May 2nd to escape capture by Soviet troops and his body was buried on 8th May 1945. But this was not confirmed until 1972, and what became of him was a mystery and it was believed that he actually escaped alive from Europe when the Nazi Germany collapsed. Since his death was not confirmed, Martin Bormann was tried ‘in absentia’ in the Nuremberg trials. Taking this mystery as the seed of his thriller, with great imagination and skill Harry Patterson generates a first-class suspense novel, with enough twists and turns and a feel of authenticity, which makes it a delight to read.
The Valhalla Exchange was a fast read, with great moments of excitement, suspense, remarkable characters, exotic locations and thrilling action and is highly recommended for both World War II buffs and lovers of good action adventure tales.
An interesting fact: Harry Patterson’s thriller and adventure novels often topped the best-seller charts and in 1976 ‘Storm Warning’ written using the pseudonym ‘Jack Higgins’ and ‘The Valhalla Exchange’ written under his real name both appeared on the New York Times bestseller list simultaneously.
Actual rating: 3.5/ 5
July 31, 2019
Jack Higgins is the master of the World War 2 thriller. The book is yet another page turner from him and keeps you on the edge of your reading seat throughout. The characters are well developed and the action is fast paced and when the book is finished, you are sad that it is. A real classic!!
November 8, 2021
This isn't the only Jack Higgins novel involving the infamous Reichsleiter, Martin Bormann (Adolf Hitler's personal secretary), as there's also "The Bormann Testament." However, unlike "TBT, " wherein Bormann is strictly referred to in the abstract, this time the Reichsleiter--and his fictitious body double Herr Strasser (named after Major Strasser in "Casablanca,", I wonder?)--is a direct and active participant in the storyline.
There are some technical flaws, such as (1) Frenchmen and Germans using miles and gallons instead of kilometres and litres respectively, (2) a British Army LtCol being addressed as both "Oberst" (Colonel) and "Major" by the same character within a coupla pages of each other, and (3) military customs & courtesies being routinely flouted with a U.S. Army private addressing a Sergeant by his first name, and a British Army LtCol doing the same with an American general officer. Moreover, the denouement leaves the reader with a fair number of open-ended questions.
Nonetheless, a taut, compelling adventure that keeps the pages turning with the reader on the edge of his/her seat with suspense, thought-provoking the plot twists, and a slam-bang, nail-biting final action sequence.
CENTRAL CASTING.
--Larry Drake or Joe Don Baker as Bormann/Strasser
--Hardy Kruger as Major Ritter
--Max Von Sydow as Oberstleutnant Hesser
--Tom Hanks as Captain Howard
--Tom Sizemore as SGT Harry
--Adam Goldberg at PVT Finebaum
--Hans Christian Blech as Oberleutnant Schenck
--François Truffaut as Dr. Paul
There are some technical flaws, such as (1) Frenchmen and Germans using miles and gallons instead of kilometres and litres respectively, (2) a British Army LtCol being addressed as both "Oberst" (Colonel) and "Major" by the same character within a coupla pages of each other, and (3) military customs & courtesies being routinely flouted with a U.S. Army private addressing a Sergeant by his first name, and a British Army LtCol doing the same with an American general officer. Moreover, the denouement leaves the reader with a fair number of open-ended questions.
Nonetheless, a taut, compelling adventure that keeps the pages turning with the reader on the edge of his/her seat with suspense, thought-provoking the plot twists, and a slam-bang, nail-biting final action sequence.
CENTRAL CASTING.
--Larry Drake or Joe Don Baker as Bormann/Strasser
--Hardy Kruger as Major Ritter
--Max Von Sydow as Oberstleutnant Hesser
--Tom Hanks as Captain Howard
--Tom Sizemore as SGT Harry
--Adam Goldberg at PVT Finebaum
--Hans Christian Blech as Oberleutnant Schenck
--François Truffaut as Dr. Paul
May 2, 2022
اردوگاه قهرمانان رمانی ست که ما را به روز های پایانی جنگ جهانی دوم میبرد،آلمان در اضمحلال کامل همچو کشتی شکسته ای که ناخدایش خود کشی کرده..حال هر یک از دریانوردان تصمیمی میگیرند..عده ای از فراز کشتی پایین میپرند..عده ای بدنبال ناخدا سفر طولانی تری آغاز می کنند..در کشتی ای که بر دریایی از خون غوطه ور است..
اردوگاه قهرمانان در سبکخود داستان جذابی ست..داستانی پر از بشریت..جنگ..نبرد..اعتقاد..و مرگ.
اردوگاه قهرمانان در سبکخود داستان جذابی ست..داستانی پر از بشریت..جنگ..نبرد..اعتقاد..و مرگ.
January 14, 2025
দ্বিতীয় বিশ্বযুদ্ধের চূড়ান্ত মুহূর্তে মিত্র বাহিনী বার্লিন এর দিকে অগ্রসর হচ্ছে। জার্মানদের এমন নাজুক অবস্থায় তিনটা টাইগার ট্যাংক নিয়ে মিত্রবাহিনীকে গুড়িয়ে দেয় 502 SS হেভি ব্যাটালিয়নের মেজর কার্ল রিটার। বার্লিন রক্ষা করা যেখানে খুব জরুরী, সেখানে মেজরকে এই কাজের অবদানের জন্য হঠাৎ ডেকে পাঠানো হলো হেডকোয়ার্টারে। মেজর নিজেও জানেন যে ভিন্ন কোন উদ্দেশ্য আছে তার উপরকর্তার।
বার্লিনে দেখা যাবে, হিটলারের একান্ত সচিব মার্টিন বোরম্যান জার্মানী থেকে পালানোর সব প্রস্তুতি নেয়া শুরু করেছে। গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কিছু মানুষকে সে জিম্মি করে রেখেছে, যাতে আমেরিকানরা তার সাথে বন্দী বিনিময় করে; তাকে সেফ এক্সিট দেয়। এই জিম্মিদের উদ্ধার করা এবং তাদেরকে দিয়ে সমঝোতা করানোর প্রচেষ্টার মধ্য দিয়ে পুরো ঘটনা চলতে থাকে। কিন্তু এখানে একটা প্রশ্ন থেকেই যায়। হিটলারের এত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কর্মকর্তা মার্টিন বোরম্যানকে মিত্রবাহিনী একবার মৃত হিসেবে আবিস্কার করেছে, আবার একই সাথে তাকে ভিন্ন জায়গায় জীবিত হিসেবে দাবি করে, অন্যরা যাদের ভিতরে জার্মান বড় বড় অফিসারও আছে। একই সাথে জীবিত ও মৃত ব্যক্তি হিসেবে ; একজন সামরিক অফিসারের দুটো ভিন্ন জায়গায় থাকা কিভাবে সম্ভব?
‘ভালহালা এক্সচেঞ্জ’ উপন্যাসের সবচেয়ে দুর্দান্ত বিষয় হলো এর কাহিনির ব্যাপ্তি ও শক্তিশালী চরিত্রায়ন। থ্রিলার কম, ঐতিহাসিক-ওয়ার উপন্যাসের উপাদান বেশি। মার্টিন বোরম্যানের নীরব, নীরস ও ঠান্ডা চরিত্রায়ন যেমন উপন্যাসে থমথমে আবহ সৃষ্টি করেছে; তেমনি চতুর,দুর্ধর্ষ চরিত্রে ছিল মেজর কার্ল রিটায়ার। আমেরিকানদের হিরোয়িক চরিত্রায়ন বরাবরের মতোই বস্তাপঁচা লেগেছে।
. . . . . . . .
ইতিহাস বলে মার্টিন বোরম্যান মৃত। কিন্তু ইতিহাসের ভেতরেও ইতিহাস থাকে। সেই অনুযায়ী পরবর্তী প্রায় ত্রিশ বছর বিভিন্ন ল্যাটিনদেশে রিচার্ড বা রিকার্ডো বাওয়ের নামে এক লোক বাস করত। হাঙ্গেরিয়ান সাংবাদিক লাডিপ্লাস ফারাগো 'বোরম্যানের ইন্টারভিউ’ নিয়েছেন দাবি করে বলেন, আর্জেন্টিনায় গোপন কারবার চালাচ্ছে সে। হিটলারের শেষ উইলে তাকে ‘ফোর্থ রাইখ’ গঠনের ক্ষমতা দেওয়া হয়েছিল। সর্বশেষ তথ্য অনুযায়ী, ১৯৭৫ সালে লিভার ক্যান্সারে আর্জেন্টিনাতেই মৃত্যু হয় বোরম্যানের। সবই কন্সপিরেসি থিওরী! নাকি সত্যের মধ্যে আজো মিথ্যা লুকিয়ে লুকিয়ে হাসছে?
বার্লিনে দেখা যাবে, হিটলারের একান্ত সচিব মার্টিন বোরম্যান জার্মানী থেকে পালানোর সব প্রস্তুতি নেয়া শুরু করেছে। গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কিছু মানুষকে সে জিম্মি করে রেখেছে, যাতে আমেরিকানরা তার সাথে বন্দী বিনিময় করে; তাকে সেফ এক্সিট দেয়। এই জিম্মিদের উদ্ধার করা এবং তাদেরকে দিয়ে সমঝোতা করানোর প্রচেষ্টার মধ্য দিয়ে পুরো ঘটনা চলতে থাকে। কিন্তু এখানে একটা প্রশ্ন থেকেই যায়। হিটলারের এত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কর্মকর্তা মার্টিন বোরম্যানকে মিত্রবাহিনী একবার মৃত হিসেবে আবিস্কার করেছে, আবার একই সাথে তাকে ভিন্ন জায়গায় জীবিত হিসেবে দাবি করে, অন্যরা যাদের ভিতরে জার্মান বড় বড় অফিসারও আছে। একই সাথে জীবিত ও মৃত ব্যক্তি হিসেবে ; একজন সামরিক অফিসারের দুটো ভিন্ন জায়গায় থাকা কিভাবে সম্ভব?
‘ভালহালা এক্সচেঞ্জ’ উপন্যাসের সবচেয়ে দুর্দান্ত বিষয় হলো এর কাহিনির ব্যাপ্তি ও শক্তিশালী চরিত্রায়ন। থ্রিলার কম, ঐতিহাসিক-ওয়ার উপন্যাসের উপাদান বেশি। মার্টিন বোরম্যানের নীরব, নীরস ও ঠান্ডা চরিত্রায়ন যেমন উপন্যাসে থমথমে আবহ সৃষ্টি করেছে; তেমনি চতুর,দুর্ধর্ষ চরিত্রে ছিল মেজর কার্ল রিটায়ার। আমেরিকানদের হিরোয়িক চরিত্রায়ন বরাবরের মতোই বস্তাপঁচা লেগেছে।
. . . . . . . .
ইতিহাস বলে মার্টিন বোরম্যান মৃত। কিন্তু ইতিহাসের ভেতরেও ইতিহাস থাকে। সেই অনুযায়ী পরবর্তী প্রায় ত্রিশ বছর বিভিন্ন ল্যাটিনদেশে রিচার্ড বা রিকার্ডো বাওয়ের নামে এক লোক বাস করত। হাঙ্গেরিয়ান সাংবাদিক লাডিপ্লাস ফারাগো 'বোরম্যানের ইন্টারভিউ’ নিয়েছেন দাবি করে বলেন, আর্জেন্টিনায় গোপন কারবার চালাচ্ছে সে। হিটলারের শেষ উইলে তাকে ‘ফোর্থ রাইখ’ গঠনের ক্ষমতা দেওয়া হয়েছিল। সর্বশেষ তথ্য অনুযায়ী, ১৯৭৫ সালে লিভার ক্যান্সারে আর্জেন্টিনাতেই মৃত্যু হয় বোরম্যানের। সবই কন্সপিরেসি থিওরী! নাকি সত্যের মধ্যে আজো মিথ্যা লুকিয়ে লুকিয়ে হাসছে?
November 1, 2019
Following World War II, publishers brought out a steady stream of books purporting to identify the whereabouts of prominent Nazis. Martin Bormann, Adolf Eichmann, and Josef Mengele were three of their favorite subjects. All three were thought to have survived the war and fled to South America through a network codenamed ODESSA by American intelligence. But only Eichmann (who was captured by the Mossad) and Mengele (who eluded capture but drowned off the Brazilian coast) were proven to have resettled in South America. Bormann was proven by DNA tests in 1973 to have died attempting to escape Berlin. Nonetheless, the books kept coming. The English thriller author Henry Patterson (pen name Jack Higgins) wrote at least two of them about Martin Bormann on the run—years after the truth was uncovered. The Valhalla Exchange is one of those, and it's the less successful of the two.
Martin Bormann on the run
In Higgins's telling, Bormann comes across as an organizational genius who orchestrates an escape plan of extraordinary complexity. On the day Adolf Hitler commits suicide, with Russian troops just 150 yards from the command bunker under the Reich Chancellery, Bormann somehow manages to flee Berlin—in an airplane, no less—then rendezvous with his double, switch places, and make his way through Allied lines to the far south of Germany. There, his plan is to capture five high-value Allied prisoners and use them to bargain for his freedom with American troops. But things don't quite work out that way.
Jack Higgins is a master at staging battle scenes and building tension. The Valhalla Exchange is typical of his work. However, in other novels, the fighting and the suspense come across as more natural. Here, it all gets just a little tiresome. And, fortunately, it's all fantasy. Bormann himself died 32 years before this novel was published.
What really happened to the top Nazis
In fact, what really happened to many of the prominent Nazis who survived World War II was far more prosaic. They were hired by the United States and the Soviet Union, and later by the West German government. The most famous examples of this phenomenon were Operation Paperclip, an American operation that shipped more than 1,600 Nazi rocket scientists, engineers, and technicians to the US, and Markus Wolf, who was number two in the East German spy service, the Stasi, for nearly the full duration of the Cold War. But hundreds, and possibly thousands, of others made their way into German and Austrian government and society. Despite the Allies's announced commitment to denazification, the program was spottily applied and abandoned entirely in 1951. The most visible, and most successful, effort was the first of the Nuremberg Trials, in which just two dozen top Nazis were tried. (Only twelve were sentenced to death.)
Martin Bormann on the run
In Higgins's telling, Bormann comes across as an organizational genius who orchestrates an escape plan of extraordinary complexity. On the day Adolf Hitler commits suicide, with Russian troops just 150 yards from the command bunker under the Reich Chancellery, Bormann somehow manages to flee Berlin—in an airplane, no less—then rendezvous with his double, switch places, and make his way through Allied lines to the far south of Germany. There, his plan is to capture five high-value Allied prisoners and use them to bargain for his freedom with American troops. But things don't quite work out that way.
Jack Higgins is a master at staging battle scenes and building tension. The Valhalla Exchange is typical of his work. However, in other novels, the fighting and the suspense come across as more natural. Here, it all gets just a little tiresome. And, fortunately, it's all fantasy. Bormann himself died 32 years before this novel was published.
What really happened to the top Nazis
In fact, what really happened to many of the prominent Nazis who survived World War II was far more prosaic. They were hired by the United States and the Soviet Union, and later by the West German government. The most famous examples of this phenomenon were Operation Paperclip, an American operation that shipped more than 1,600 Nazi rocket scientists, engineers, and technicians to the US, and Markus Wolf, who was number two in the East German spy service, the Stasi, for nearly the full duration of the Cold War. But hundreds, and possibly thousands, of others made their way into German and Austrian government and society. Despite the Allies's announced commitment to denazification, the program was spottily applied and abandoned entirely in 1951. The most visible, and most successful, effort was the first of the Nuremberg Trials, in which just two dozen top Nazis were tried. (Only twelve were sentenced to death.)
November 13, 2020
Its a solid thriller, it has a nice set up and as long as you dont think to much about it, it's an exciting story. It's just that when you do think about it, it falls apart pretty quickly. The story is one that is set at the end of WW2 when all is lost, which seems to be a Higgins' trope. It's really about the senseless of it all which is fine but again once you think of the story it makes little sense and that too me makes it a mid range story. Because whatever happens Higgins can write compelling charcters and scenes, even when the overall arch makes little sense.
I don't really recommend it, Higgins has better ww2 era stories. Though again I don't think its bad, it's not wasted time if you do end up picking it up at random like I did.
I don't really recommend it, Higgins has better ww2 era stories. Though again I don't think its bad, it's not wasted time if you do end up picking it up at random like I did.
July 17, 2025
দুর্দান্ত!
March 11, 2019
My first Jack Higgins novel and it was fucking great.
I know I'm getting wet at the first sign of WW2, that's true, but still there is a whole lot more to that than my fetish. Plot, characters, details, description of the places I'll never have a chance to visit, never have I gotten bored of a single sentence throughout the entire story. Although I like thrillers, I haven't had many reads in this particular genre and I'm considering myself lucky to found this book.
Plot: Pretty good, although there are some points which looked redundant to me, I enjoyed the entirety of the plot. When WW2's involved, I'm very sensitive of the plot not being melodramatic because it was something real, it happened. The Valhalla Exchance is far from that. Showing the evil of prominent Nazi officials (Martin Bormann being one) is quite subtle in the story. Mainly, it evolves around Martin Bormann who was the most powerful individual in the Nazi Germany (not mentioning Himmler since he had the most executive power) and his life is full of mystery, including his death.
Multiple perspectives were quite smooth in the book despite a lot of people saying it was confusing, it was not to me. There's only a single point I thought a bit confusing but not going to mention it here since it may include spoilers but then again, maybe it was intended that way by the author. Last but not least, to my knowledge, the whole book is historically accurate.
Characters: If I'm onto some fiction, whether it's a film, a book or a game, character development is very essential, actually the most important point. The Valhalla Exchange delivered this, along with other points I'm going to be writing about.
Finebaum for example, at first I was like "maaan, what a cunt!" but later on you go into the depths of the story and the souls of these people, you admire. At least I did, very much. Same goes for Erich, his loyalty is very relatable and glorious. On the other hand, the leader of the Finns, Sorsa, you can feel the discipline, pride and coldness in your bones while reading his dialogues. I'd pretty much write a long-ass paragraph about how splendid of a character Ritter is, but not going to. But he's the embodiment of the perfect Waffen-SS officer. A well decorated sturmbannführer who knows what's what. Loyal, disciplined, all business when necessary but has a human heart. And Strasser (or Bormann?), that fucking serpent, making you uncomfortable whenever he opens his filthy mouth. Everytime he conflicted with Ritter, I did expect Sturmbannführer Ritter to detach his Knight's Cross and shove it up to his arse.
There are others, of course, but I'm not going to mention them one by one. What needs to be said is the fact that everyone has its own language and style. Germans behave like Germans, same goes for the Brits and Americans in the book. Written by a single author (like most of the books) but has multiple voices in it. Considering Jack Higgins (Harry Patterson is his real name) is British, he's done an excellent job in differentiating each character's dialogue, mindset etc. because it's a common problem with stories which have more than two or three essential characters.
English is not my native language but it was quite an easy read for me. Not a huge fan of the usage of description in general, but it was quite refined in this one. Characters' looks, Schloss Arlberg, war ravaged Schloss Arlberg, rapist auxiliary units of the Waffen-SS, the Finns, you just get what you need to feel yourself familiar with the enviroment and the people, then move on.
And the ending... truly amazing!
Right, what needs to be done needs to be done. For Sturmbannführer Ritter, Captain Howard, Sergeant Hoover, Hauptsturmführer Sorsa, General Canning and Oberstleutnant Max Hesser, and all other honourable fine men... this is for you, gentlemen.
I know I'm getting wet at the first sign of WW2, that's true, but still there is a whole lot more to that than my fetish. Plot, characters, details, description of the places I'll never have a chance to visit, never have I gotten bored of a single sentence throughout the entire story. Although I like thrillers, I haven't had many reads in this particular genre and I'm considering myself lucky to found this book.
Plot: Pretty good, although there are some points which looked redundant to me, I enjoyed the entirety of the plot. When WW2's involved, I'm very sensitive of the plot not being melodramatic because it was something real, it happened. The Valhalla Exchance is far from that. Showing the evil of prominent Nazi officials (Martin Bormann being one) is quite subtle in the story. Mainly, it evolves around Martin Bormann who was the most powerful individual in the Nazi Germany (not mentioning Himmler since he had the most executive power) and his life is full of mystery, including his death.
Multiple perspectives were quite smooth in the book despite a lot of people saying it was confusing, it was not to me. There's only a single point I thought a bit confusing but not going to mention it here since it may include spoilers but then again, maybe it was intended that way by the author. Last but not least, to my knowledge, the whole book is historically accurate.
Characters: If I'm onto some fiction, whether it's a film, a book or a game, character development is very essential, actually the most important point. The Valhalla Exchange delivered this, along with other points I'm going to be writing about.
Finebaum for example, at first I was like "maaan, what a cunt!" but later on you go into the depths of the story and the souls of these people, you admire. At least I did, very much. Same goes for Erich, his loyalty is very relatable and glorious. On the other hand, the leader of the Finns, Sorsa, you can feel the discipline, pride and coldness in your bones while reading his dialogues. I'd pretty much write a long-ass paragraph about how splendid of a character Ritter is, but not going to. But he's the embodiment of the perfect Waffen-SS officer. A well decorated sturmbannführer who knows what's what. Loyal, disciplined, all business when necessary but has a human heart. And Strasser (or Bormann?), that fucking serpent, making you uncomfortable whenever he opens his filthy mouth. Everytime he conflicted with Ritter, I did expect Sturmbannführer Ritter to detach his Knight's Cross and shove it up to his arse.
There are others, of course, but I'm not going to mention them one by one. What needs to be said is the fact that everyone has its own language and style. Germans behave like Germans, same goes for the Brits and Americans in the book. Written by a single author (like most of the books) but has multiple voices in it. Considering Jack Higgins (Harry Patterson is his real name) is British, he's done an excellent job in differentiating each character's dialogue, mindset etc. because it's a common problem with stories which have more than two or three essential characters.
English is not my native language but it was quite an easy read for me. Not a huge fan of the usage of description in general, but it was quite refined in this one. Characters' looks, Schloss Arlberg, war ravaged Schloss Arlberg, rapist auxiliary units of the Waffen-SS, the Finns, you just get what you need to feel yourself familiar with the enviroment and the people, then move on.
And the ending... truly amazing!
Right, what needs to be done needs to be done. For Sturmbannführer Ritter, Captain Howard, Sergeant Hoover, Hauptsturmführer Sorsa, General Canning and Oberstleutnant Max Hesser, and all other honourable fine men... this is for you, gentlemen.
February 1, 2018
No one writes WWII action thrillers better than Jack Higgins. His ability to create believable and sympathetic antagonist as well as protagonists is unmatched. His portrayal of Liam Devlin, IRA gunman-turned-German spy, in The Eagle Has Landed produced one of the best remembered not-so-bad-guys in literature. In his novel, The Valhalla Exchange, he succeeds again.
In the waning days of the war, Martin Bormann, Hitler's personal secretary and one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany, launches a plan to escape from the war-ravaged country. His plan includes using a SS unit of Finnish mercenaries to take over an Austrian castle being used as a POW prison, and use the VIP prisoners inside as a bargaining chip with the Allies. The prisoners, on the other hand, have different plans and, with the help of a handful of American and German soldiers, fight a valiant last stand against the SS troops.
The plot was inspired by the real-life Battle of Castle Itter. Often called the strangest battle of the war, the fight involved American and German troops, together with French VIP prisoners, holding off a SS assault until they were relieved by an U.S. tank column.
In The Valhalla Exchange, Higgins superimposes the mystery of Bormann's fate over the castle battle. Originally reported to have been killed in the final hours of the Battle for Berlin, there were multiple credible post-war reports that the Nazi secretary actually escaped to South America. To this day, his fate remains uncertain.
The cover blurb for this novel is a little misleading. It makes it sound like the plot involves a journalist hunting for Bormann. In fact, the journalist appears only in the first and last chapters. In between is another fast-paced Higgins action thriller.
In the waning days of the war, Martin Bormann, Hitler's personal secretary and one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany, launches a plan to escape from the war-ravaged country. His plan includes using a SS unit of Finnish mercenaries to take over an Austrian castle being used as a POW prison, and use the VIP prisoners inside as a bargaining chip with the Allies. The prisoners, on the other hand, have different plans and, with the help of a handful of American and German soldiers, fight a valiant last stand against the SS troops.
The plot was inspired by the real-life Battle of Castle Itter. Often called the strangest battle of the war, the fight involved American and German troops, together with French VIP prisoners, holding off a SS assault until they were relieved by an U.S. tank column.
In The Valhalla Exchange, Higgins superimposes the mystery of Bormann's fate over the castle battle. Originally reported to have been killed in the final hours of the Battle for Berlin, there were multiple credible post-war reports that the Nazi secretary actually escaped to South America. To this day, his fate remains uncertain.
The cover blurb for this novel is a little misleading. It makes it sound like the plot involves a journalist hunting for Bormann. In fact, the journalist appears only in the first and last chapters. In between is another fast-paced Higgins action thriller.
February 13, 2013
This was the first Jack Higgins book I read. I own a copy under the "Harry Patterson" name which is his real name.
This book has a decent plot, great action sequences and great drama. You'll really like Ritter almost instantly.
The location is terrific, the Bavarian alps. Makes for a great scenic situation and the narrative is fast paced and fun.
The role of the "Winter Rose" is special and its something that will haunt you even after you put the book down.
I liked this so much I wrote an instrumental called "Winter Rose"
This book has a decent plot, great action sequences and great drama. You'll really like Ritter almost instantly.
The location is terrific, the Bavarian alps. Makes for a great scenic situation and the narrative is fast paced and fun.
The role of the "Winter Rose" is special and its something that will haunt you even after you put the book down.
I liked this so much I wrote an instrumental called "Winter Rose"
August 5, 2016
In April 1945, Germany was in ruins and the remnants of the once all-powerful German army was being pressed from all sides by the conquering allies. From that fateful day in June 1944 when the allied forces reestablished a foothold on the beaches of Normandy, the German’s fate was sealed. The Third Reich that was said to last a thousand years was doomed to fail in less than twenty. At the end of April, with the Russian Red Army at the gates of Berlin, panic ruled the day everywhere. Deep down in the heart of Hitler’s command bunker in the center of the city, plans were made to escape the inevitability of defeat.
Martin Bormann, Adolf Hitler’s secretary, and eminence grise devised a daring plan of escape. Selected high ranking and influential prisoners of war were quarantined in Schloss Arlberg. A plan was devised to use the hostages as leverage to favorable terms after the war. An intricate plan is devised by Bormann to confuse and evade the wrath that would surely befall the key figures of the German government and military command.
Jack Higgins succeeds in spinning a highly plausible tale of deceit, desperation, valor, and senseless loss, that is both easy to read and flowing with excitement. World War II is the perfect premise for the perfect story of heroism and desperation on both sides of the battle lines. Who will be the last to die in this senseless war that has already claimed millions of lives? I highly recommend this book for history affectionatos and anyone interested in a well-written yarn.
Martin Bormann, Adolf Hitler’s secretary, and eminence grise devised a daring plan of escape. Selected high ranking and influential prisoners of war were quarantined in Schloss Arlberg. A plan was devised to use the hostages as leverage to favorable terms after the war. An intricate plan is devised by Bormann to confuse and evade the wrath that would surely befall the key figures of the German government and military command.
Jack Higgins succeeds in spinning a highly plausible tale of deceit, desperation, valor, and senseless loss, that is both easy to read and flowing with excitement. World War II is the perfect premise for the perfect story of heroism and desperation on both sides of the battle lines. Who will be the last to die in this senseless war that has already claimed millions of lives? I highly recommend this book for history affectionatos and anyone interested in a well-written yarn.
March 18, 2017
A WWII thriller published by Jack Higgins under his real name, Harry Patterson. In 1976, in a small Bolivian village, a man died who had the same name as a pseudonym of Hitler's secretary Martin Bormann. The death is investigated by a reporter for the London Times and a retired American general. Waiting for a flight out, the general relates a thrilling story of the end of the war in 1945 Germany. Captivating.
Thriller - In 1945, as the Allies closed in on war-ravaged Berlin, Hitler's personal secretary, Martin Bormann, made his escape. Since that fateful day, Bormann's story has been shrouded in mystery.Thirty-one years later, a journalist has begun to finally piece together Bormann's cunning getaway. His electrifying investigation exposes the unwitting role of five Allied POWs in Bormann's escape plot as the Nazi regime crumbled. Now, with help from a surviving POW, this journalist follows history's twists and turns to a shocking conclusion.
Thriller - In 1945, as the Allies closed in on war-ravaged Berlin, Hitler's personal secretary, Martin Bormann, made his escape. Since that fateful day, Bormann's story has been shrouded in mystery.Thirty-one years later, a journalist has begun to finally piece together Bormann's cunning getaway. His electrifying investigation exposes the unwitting role of five Allied POWs in Bormann's escape plot as the Nazi regime crumbled. Now, with help from a surviving POW, this journalist follows history's twists and turns to a shocking conclusion.
May 15, 2013
Originally published under the the authors true name 'Harry Patterson' the Valhalla Exchange by Jack Higgins is an enjoyable read. Whilst it may be the standard war story mix of a few base facts extrapolated into a tale of heroics and/or adventure in this case it works.
The novel is set in late 1945 and covers the escape of Martin Bormann from Central Berlin (which is under siege on one side by Russia and the other side the United States) to potentially freedom outside and a plan to use 'VIP' prisoners of war as hostages.
All in all and entertaining, if short, read.
The novel is set in late 1945 and covers the escape of Martin Bormann from Central Berlin (which is under siege on one side by Russia and the other side the United States) to potentially freedom outside and a plan to use 'VIP' prisoners of war as hostages.
All in all and entertaining, if short, read.
July 25, 2021
I didn't enjoy 'The Valhalla Exchange' much.
I'm afraid it was very lightweight, cliched and forgettable.
The sort of story I would've enjoyed as a thirteen year old, as an adult it did nothing for me.
I'm afraid it was very lightweight, cliched and forgettable.
The sort of story I would've enjoyed as a thirteen year old, as an adult it did nothing for me.
July 8, 2022
A wartime thriller about high value prisoners and their role in an escape from the bunker in Berlin by Martin Bormann. Written in typical Jack Higgins high pace style, read 450 pages in one sitting.
March 22, 2020
In the final throes of death, the Nazi empire disintegrated in late April and early May of 1945. Its remaining leaders all chose their own way of escape: Hitler through suicide. Though several joined their Fuhrer, far more chose escape.
This book is the author's re-creation of what might have been the plan of escape for Hitler's behind-the-scenes personal secretary, Martin Bormann, who, though with Hitler in his Berlin bunker until his suicide, was not there at the bitter end. What happened to him? Where did he go? Jack Higgins tells us in a great story with typical Higgins characters:
- The war weary and could-care-less Karl Ritter whose character Higgins fans will recognize immediately.
- The tough and competent Captain Jack Howard seeking to revenge the loss of most of his unit to Ritter's attack.
- The devil-may-care Berger who can fly anything
- The impatient prisoner, General Hamilton Canning through whose point of view Higgins tells the story
- The French doctor Paul Gaillard who finds heroic strength in the end.
- And, of course, the mysterious Herr Strasser--or was it the Reichsleiter?
Unfortunately for Higgins, 22 years after he published "The Valhalla Exchange," the Germans performed DNA testing on a body found not far from Hitler's bunker, then buried in a common grave on May 2, 1945. Testing confirmed it was the body of Martin Bormann who, in the end, likely took his Fuhrer's path of escape. The book is well worth the read, however. It could have happened.
This book is the author's re-creation of what might have been the plan of escape for Hitler's behind-the-scenes personal secretary, Martin Bormann, who, though with Hitler in his Berlin bunker until his suicide, was not there at the bitter end. What happened to him? Where did he go? Jack Higgins tells us in a great story with typical Higgins characters:
- The war weary and could-care-less Karl Ritter whose character Higgins fans will recognize immediately.
- The tough and competent Captain Jack Howard seeking to revenge the loss of most of his unit to Ritter's attack.
- The devil-may-care Berger who can fly anything
- The impatient prisoner, General Hamilton Canning through whose point of view Higgins tells the story
- The French doctor Paul Gaillard who finds heroic strength in the end.
- And, of course, the mysterious Herr Strasser--or was it the Reichsleiter?
Unfortunately for Higgins, 22 years after he published "The Valhalla Exchange," the Germans performed DNA testing on a body found not far from Hitler's bunker, then buried in a common grave on May 2, 1945. Testing confirmed it was the body of Martin Bormann who, in the end, likely took his Fuhrer's path of escape. The book is well worth the read, however. It could have happened.
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March 23, 2023The thirty-seventh #jackhiggins #martinfallon #hughmarlowe #harrypatterson #henrypatterson #jamesgraham novel #thevalhallaexchange published in 1977. Another cracking World War Two novel from Higgins. Bookend chapters of an investigative reporter delving into the past is a Similar device used in other Higgins work such as eagle has landed. It’s almost a novel in two halves. The first half is excellent with high ranking German officers involved in a very exciting escape from allied surrounded Berlin towards the end of the war. I quite enjoy the scenes set in the nazi high command bureaucracy especially the Characters commenting on the absurdity of it all. The second half is a tense siege set around a medieval castle. There is some complexity in the set up but it all makes sense and seems to work. A couple of interesting side characters with tragic backstories. Plus a wonderful final paragraph that leads to more speculation about the fate of the antagonist.
August 31, 2022
I like Jack Higgins as a writer and was happy to find this book at a used bookstore this summer. This is a typical Jack Higgins book - full of unique characters and plenty of action. Higgins tells us the story of Martin Bormann, Hitler's right hand man and how he managed to escape from Berlin. I thought the story would deal mostly with Bormann living in South America, boy was I wrong. Higgins tells the story of an SS Officer and his important prisoners who are a key to Bormann getting out of Germany. It is a very good story and keeps you captivated from Chapter one to the end. The end was a little anti-climatic for me, but this is still a very good read.
December 17, 2022
This is a good story based in the later stages of WWII. It is fiction although it does say that it does have some fact included, but I guess you need to work out what is fact and what is fiction.
The story is based in Austria and five prominenti [distinguished or eminent people], being held in a castle called Schloss Arlberg.
They are hunted by the SS to be used as a tool to get better deals for the Germans now that the war is nearing an end.
Once I got into the book, I enjoyed the story and "history" related to the ending of the war.
The story is based in Austria and five prominenti [distinguished or eminent people], being held in a castle called Schloss Arlberg.
They are hunted by the SS to be used as a tool to get better deals for the Germans now that the war is nearing an end.
Once I got into the book, I enjoyed the story and "history" related to the ending of the war.
October 6, 2024
From another author, this fictional melange of the Battle of Castle Itter (q.v.) and the "ratline" allowing "Nazis" to escape to South America would be a four. But I have higher expectations from Higgins.
Spoilers below:
What did Strasser think he was going to use the Allied prisoners ("prominenti") for? I mean, he escapes anyway.
I have never heard that mercenary Finns were so keen to give their lives in the last two hours of their contract. Maybe against Russians ...
The ski chase was nicley done.
Spoilers below:
What did Strasser think he was going to use the Allied prisoners ("prominenti") for? I mean, he escapes anyway.
I have never heard that mercenary Finns were so keen to give their lives in the last two hours of their contract. Maybe against Russians ...
The ski chase was nicley done.
January 30, 2021
A real page turner and a "cracker jack" of a book.
One thing I like about the veteran authors (Follet; Sanders etc) they have way of pulling you in and not letting you go until the very last page.
Though this book started in the "current day" it immediately back tracked to WWII with a story that revolved around the Nazi Martin Borman and whether has really alive or dead. Did he have a double and who was the real Martin Borman.
Just a VERY good Read!!
One thing I like about the veteran authors (Follet; Sanders etc) they have way of pulling you in and not letting you go until the very last page.
Though this book started in the "current day" it immediately back tracked to WWII with a story that revolved around the Nazi Martin Borman and whether has really alive or dead. Did he have a double and who was the real Martin Borman.
Just a VERY good Read!!
April 12, 2022
As World War II draws to a close, Martin Bormann attempts to exchange 5 high-profile French & American POWs for passage to South America. The plan goes awry, however, culminating in a ski pursuit over the Alps. Book-of-the-Month Club alternate selection June 1977. (note: this was always my favorite of the Jack Higgins thrillers, so when I read his obituary in today's paper, I decided I needed to reread it.)
September 8, 2022
A typical World War II adventure from back then; just the way I like 'em. Lots of room for development and action, so characters remain a bit flat. Especially on 'our' side. It's the Germans that attract the most attention. Reichsleiter Martin Bormann for instance, slick and sly as we've come to know him, in fiction anyway, but also Sturmbannführer Ritter. A man in black. A man that oozes bad news. My MVP. A fast and entertaining read.
November 19, 2022
8.5/10 - Sure, there are some wartime cliches and clunky dialogue scattered throughout this 1976 thriller. There are also some gripping wartime action scenes and excellent dialogue. If you like Black Humor and WWII historical fiction, this novel should be right up your alley. Higgins takes you into the depths of the Fuhrerbunker during Hitler's final days.
Several times, I had to put the book down and revel in what I had just read, up to and including the last sentence. Fine work
Several times, I had to put the book down and revel in what I had just read, up to and including the last sentence. Fine work
June 2, 2018
The three stars are not a reflection on the book as much as a reflection on the reader. I just get bored reading about military actions. I don't care about the details of the various weapons or vehicles. I have no interest in uniforms or rank. However what kept me reading was the underlying story about the people. I wanted to find out what happened to them.
April 7, 2019
An interesting read, though the Valhalla Exchange of the title and the allusions to Kamaradanwerke assume a level of interest in Nazi Germany that I don't possess.
The characters were interesting, and the futility and waste of war highlighted, I just would have liked more clarification of the mysterious Herr Borman. I also wish everyone's name didn't start with an S....
The characters were interesting, and the futility and waste of war highlighted, I just would have liked more clarification of the mysterious Herr Borman. I also wish everyone's name didn't start with an S....
February 16, 2021
A thoroughly interesting story
My first book from this author. I found the story line interesting, of course it happens to be my favorite subject matter. Aside from that, the tempo of the story was even and consistent throughout. I have read previous books that dealt with Bormann and although this was a book of fiction, it does renew that little corner of doubt as to his "finis".
My first book from this author. I found the story line interesting, of course it happens to be my favorite subject matter. Aside from that, the tempo of the story was even and consistent throughout. I have read previous books that dealt with Bormann and although this was a book of fiction, it does renew that little corner of doubt as to his "finis".
July 10, 2021
Very well written
Once again the author presented stories within the main story. I think this is the best of the books I have read. The story line did not confuse the reader and it was easier to keep things straight. I plan to continue reading books by Higgins. I highly recommend this book.
Once again the author presented stories within the main story. I think this is the best of the books I have read. The story line did not confuse the reader and it was easier to keep things straight. I plan to continue reading books by Higgins. I highly recommend this book.
February 28, 2022
It has been a few years since I read a Jack Higgins book. Reading this one, was like slipping back into something comfortable. Even though it followed one of his formulas for a World War II story, it was still enjoyable. Nothing too complex, but a mix of historic and fictional information to provide an enjoyable read.
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