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The Second Objective
Bestselling author Mark Frost makes a triumphant return to fiction with this riveting World War II thriller, based on a shocking real-life German operation run by "the most dangerous man in Europe." Fall 1944. Germany is losing, and the Americans are starting to hope they'll be home for Christmas. Lieutenant Colonel Otto Skorzeny, "Hitler's Commando," famed for his daring rescue of the imprisoned Mussolini, has just received orders for Operation He is to assemble a new brigade of 2,000 men, all of whom speak English, and send them behind Allied lines disguised as GIs, where they will wreak havoc in advance of a savage new offensive. And from those men, Skorzeny is to select a smaller group, made up of the twenty most highly skilled commandos fluent in American culture, to attempt an even more sinister mission--the second objective--which, if completed, not only would change the course of the war, but would change the course of history. Filled with real characters and details only recently released by the United States military, The Second Objective is historical fiction at its most pulse-pounding, its most unpredictable, and its most compulsively readable.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
25 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 12, 2017
Holy Shit that was a fun ride!!!!
One of those Spy-War-Thriller-Mystery type books that keeps you turning the pages. Mark Frost's writing style is simple and easy to get in to and for all those who are afraid of World war books, this is a great place to start.
The story essentially follow two perspectives during the end of world war 2, the Allies have substantiate and kind of won the battle against the Soviets, or have they?... Hitler has another devious plan under his sleeve....
He initiates the plan "Second Objective" to infiltrate the Allies and regain power but it won't be easily done, as their wolves in sheep clothing on his side.
It was such a thrill to read such a fast pace book with grit and violent scenes, as the reader tries to understand what "Second Objective" is... The characters weren't fleshed out as I would have loved them to be but I still understood their decisions and actions during such a harsh time in history.
The book is relatively short and fast exciting read that I highly recommend!!
One of those Spy-War-Thriller-Mystery type books that keeps you turning the pages. Mark Frost's writing style is simple and easy to get in to and for all those who are afraid of World war books, this is a great place to start.
The story essentially follow two perspectives during the end of world war 2, the Allies have substantiate and kind of won the battle against the Soviets, or have they?... Hitler has another devious plan under his sleeve....
He initiates the plan "Second Objective" to infiltrate the Allies and regain power but it won't be easily done, as their wolves in sheep clothing on his side.
It was such a thrill to read such a fast pace book with grit and violent scenes, as the reader tries to understand what "Second Objective" is... The characters weren't fleshed out as I would have loved them to be but I still understood their decisions and actions during such a harsh time in history.
The book is relatively short and fast exciting read that I highly recommend!!
June 13, 2011
Lots of action in this one. The story is dedicated to moving the reader along as the characters try to defy a nonstoppable battle at the end of WWII. Friost mixes a lot of researched information about a Second Objective of Hitler's in his last days when some English speaking German Assassins were sent in to infiltrate the Allied troops, an objective that ended in tragedy for almost all concerned. Frost takes what little is known from this mission and draws up a plausible story of real human beings caught up in the nightmarish world of having to swear allegiance to an all-but-dead Nazi Empire which they never agreed with in the first place. The twists and turns make the story a little confusing, and the action-adventure aspects often outwiegh the introspective "What are we doing wrong here?" qualities of the story. But it's still a likable read.
March 27, 2013
In the winter of 1944, the Allied forces in Europe knew that the defeat of Germany was close. In a final attempt to turn the tide of the war, Hitler assigned Lieutenant Colonel Otto Skorzeny to direct and carry out a top secret mission which, if successful, would drive a wedge between the Allied commanders and thus ensure victory for Germany.
Details of Mission Greif were kept classified for 50 years after World War II ended. Author Mark Frost has incorporated details about this mission and the real individuals who were involved, together with fictional characters, to write a first rate, riveting, and suspenseful novel about the operation that will hold you spellbound until the very end. Readers interested in World War II will find this story of intrigue, treachery, heroism, and suspense hard to put down.
Frost’s fictional Brooklyn police detective Earl Grannit, who is assigned to the Army’s Counter Intelligence Corps, follows the trail of SS Lieutenant Erich Von Leinsdorf as he attempts to carry out the mission’s second objective. Unexpected twists and turns abound as the final plan begins to unfurl.
Two sections at the end of the book-- “Afterword” and “A Note on Sources” are especially informative and disturbing. They are a “must read” because of the factual information they divulge.
Details of Mission Greif were kept classified for 50 years after World War II ended. Author Mark Frost has incorporated details about this mission and the real individuals who were involved, together with fictional characters, to write a first rate, riveting, and suspenseful novel about the operation that will hold you spellbound until the very end. Readers interested in World War II will find this story of intrigue, treachery, heroism, and suspense hard to put down.
Frost’s fictional Brooklyn police detective Earl Grannit, who is assigned to the Army’s Counter Intelligence Corps, follows the trail of SS Lieutenant Erich Von Leinsdorf as he attempts to carry out the mission’s second objective. Unexpected twists and turns abound as the final plan begins to unfurl.
Two sections at the end of the book-- “Afterword” and “A Note on Sources” are especially informative and disturbing. They are a “must read” because of the factual information they divulge.
March 20, 2024
Segundo Objetivo es una de esas joyitas literarias desconocidas, que pasan muchas veces desapercibidas.
Tiene de todo, una mezcla de thriller, suspenso y acción bélica, personajes bien definidos, historia trepidante y fluida etcétera. Me cuesta mucho encontrar puntos bajos considerando que muchas veces los libros basados en operaciones militares de la segunda guerra mundial suelen ser algo pesados por la cantidad de información que hay que digerir. La narración de Segundo Objetivo es sumamente ligera, en ningún momento se vuelve agobiante, me sorprendió el dinamismo de la trama, no decae en puntos muertos ni en cosas intrascendentes, va siempre hacia adelante con todas las aristas necesarias para brindarnos un excelente lectura.
Absolutamente recomendable de principio a fin.
5⭐ sin ninguna duda.
Tiene de todo, una mezcla de thriller, suspenso y acción bélica, personajes bien definidos, historia trepidante y fluida etcétera. Me cuesta mucho encontrar puntos bajos considerando que muchas veces los libros basados en operaciones militares de la segunda guerra mundial suelen ser algo pesados por la cantidad de información que hay que digerir. La narración de Segundo Objetivo es sumamente ligera, en ningún momento se vuelve agobiante, me sorprendió el dinamismo de la trama, no decae en puntos muertos ni en cosas intrascendentes, va siempre hacia adelante con todas las aristas necesarias para brindarnos un excelente lectura.
Absolutamente recomendable de principio a fin.
5⭐ sin ninguna duda.
September 4, 2018
Bernie Guntheresque, which of course is high praise. Very well done historical thriller. Will look for more of Frost’s books.
May 4, 2016
Jsem velký fanoušek Twin Peaks, na kterých se Mark Frost významně podílel a jeho Seznam Sedmi a Šest mesiášů (které jsou poctou Sherlocku Holmesovi) patří mezi mé velice oblíbené knihy.
The Second Objectives (v češtině vyšlo jako Přísně tajný cíl) je napínavý a dobrý příběh ale mistrovství výše zmiňovaných knih bohužel nedosahuje. Ale nechápejte to špatně, kniha je to povedená ale přesto, že se mi líbila, tak už bych ji podruhé nečetl. Kdežto "Šestku" a "Sedmičku" jsem četl několikrát a to už nějaký pátek nemám čas na rereading.
Děj knihy se odehrává během závěrečné fáze druhé světové války, kdy už jsou Spojenci v Evropě a kdy se Němci pokusí zvrátit průběh války. Vyberou malou skupiny vojáků, kteří převlečení do amerických uniforem mají provést odvážný protiútok, kterému velí legendární Otto Skorzeny. právě v této tajné jednotce se potkává elitní voják SS von Leinsdorf a německý voják, který prožil velkou část svého dětství v Brooklynu Bernie Oster. Bernieho, který není moc schopný voják a zatím celou válku strávil jako automechanik německých důstojníků je do této mise vybrán proto, aby naučil své spolubojovníky americkou angličtinu a americké reálie. Díky tomu, že pomůže von Leinsdorfovi u zkoušky, si jej na oplátku on vybere do svého družstva, protože se díky svých schopnostem stává velitelem celé akce.
Bernie nově přezdívaný Brooklyn je později svědkem toho jak von Leinsdorf po své cestě po okupované Francii bez mrknutí oka zabíjí jednoho člověka za druhým. Brooklyn, který není ani tochu stoupencem nacistů se neustále rozhoduje, zda má svému spolubojovníkovi utéct a nebo počkat do doby, kdy zjistí tajný cíl jejich mise, který zná jen von Leinsdorf....
The Second Objectives (v češtině vyšlo jako Přísně tajný cíl) je napínavý a dobrý příběh ale mistrovství výše zmiňovaných knih bohužel nedosahuje. Ale nechápejte to špatně, kniha je to povedená ale přesto, že se mi líbila, tak už bych ji podruhé nečetl. Kdežto "Šestku" a "Sedmičku" jsem četl několikrát a to už nějaký pátek nemám čas na rereading.
Děj knihy se odehrává během závěrečné fáze druhé světové války, kdy už jsou Spojenci v Evropě a kdy se Němci pokusí zvrátit průběh války. Vyberou malou skupiny vojáků, kteří převlečení do amerických uniforem mají provést odvážný protiútok, kterému velí legendární Otto Skorzeny. právě v této tajné jednotce se potkává elitní voják SS von Leinsdorf a německý voják, který prožil velkou část svého dětství v Brooklynu Bernie Oster. Bernieho, který není moc schopný voják a zatím celou válku strávil jako automechanik německých důstojníků je do této mise vybrán proto, aby naučil své spolubojovníky americkou angličtinu a americké reálie. Díky tomu, že pomůže von Leinsdorfovi u zkoušky, si jej na oplátku on vybere do svého družstva, protože se díky svých schopnostem stává velitelem celé akce.
Bernie nově přezdívaný Brooklyn je později svědkem toho jak von Leinsdorf po své cestě po okupované Francii bez mrknutí oka zabíjí jednoho člověka za druhým. Brooklyn, který není ani tochu stoupencem nacistů se neustále rozhoduje, zda má svému spolubojovníkovi utéct a nebo počkat do doby, kdy zjistí tajný cíl jejich mise, který zná jen von Leinsdorf....
April 8, 2017
I love historical fiction, especially World War II, so this book caught my attention immediately. World War II always intrigues me because of the strategic creativity involved on all sides. It was quite an interesting war.
The storyline of The Second Objective follows a unit of German soldiers who are trained to look, speak, and act like Americans in order to infiltrate the American military infrastructure in Europe and sabotage American efforts there. The entire unit is informed of their first objective in the mission, but their second objective is so secret that most of them don't know about it until it is already in play.
I appreciated how the author portrayed most of the German soldiers as regular people who were just doing their job. I definitely believe that there were some evil forces at play in World War II, but I'm sure that generally the rank and file grunts on all sides were just good kids doing their best. That idea was apparent throughout the story.
I enjoyed this story very much. The reason for four stars instead of five was simply that there were times when it got a bit dry and read more like a history book than a novel. I found it difficult to stay focused on the story during some of those times.
Highly recommended to those who enjoy historical fiction and/or military fiction. Good book.
The storyline of The Second Objective follows a unit of German soldiers who are trained to look, speak, and act like Americans in order to infiltrate the American military infrastructure in Europe and sabotage American efforts there. The entire unit is informed of their first objective in the mission, but their second objective is so secret that most of them don't know about it until it is already in play.
I appreciated how the author portrayed most of the German soldiers as regular people who were just doing their job. I definitely believe that there were some evil forces at play in World War II, but I'm sure that generally the rank and file grunts on all sides were just good kids doing their best. That idea was apparent throughout the story.
I enjoyed this story very much. The reason for four stars instead of five was simply that there were times when it got a bit dry and read more like a history book than a novel. I found it difficult to stay focused on the story during some of those times.
Highly recommended to those who enjoy historical fiction and/or military fiction. Good book.
July 28, 2018
It started out good, I was interested, invested...until about the butcher shop. It became just another book filled with 'car chase, after car chase' kind of adventure (think of Perils of Pauline) and non-stop fuck this, that & all. Good Grief, why can't writers come up with intelligent use of the English language instead of relying on the constant expletives? Because they are not good writers with a developed sense or command of English. Give me a F094u break!!
This is the main reason I consider Michael Connelly such an extraordinary writer & story teller. He's grown up & doesn't need lots of trendy foul speech.
I greatly enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook, but sadly I doubt I'll finish this one time page turner.
This is the main reason I consider Michael Connelly such an extraordinary writer & story teller. He's grown up & doesn't need lots of trendy foul speech.
I greatly enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook, but sadly I doubt I'll finish this one time page turner.
February 19, 2016
Entertaining blend of real history and imagined events during the Battle of the Bulge, when Hitler sent squads of English-speaking troops behind Allied lines with a special mission- the "second objective." We all know how it turned out, but there's suspense nonetheless.
November 5, 2012
Intriguing premise that kept me reading and held my interest until the end. An author can't ask for more than that, really. A good job from Mark Frost.
October 21, 2018
This was my first Mark Frost novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the fiction woven around the historical events. Frost's research of the Battle of the Bulge, troop movements, Eisenhower's movements, and delving into Otto Skorzeny’s Operation Greif to formulate this story adds a level of credibility not always prevalent in historical fiction.
Frost’s characters and characterizations depict likable Germans and Americans, despised Germans, Americans, and Frenchmen, characters who seem to be more than fictional people. A thriller that moves at a fast pace and ends with an Afterword full of history lessons. I earnestly enjoyed this read!
Frost’s characters and characterizations depict likable Germans and Americans, despised Germans, Americans, and Frenchmen, characters who seem to be more than fictional people. A thriller that moves at a fast pace and ends with an Afterword full of history lessons. I earnestly enjoyed this read!
April 6, 2020
This historical WWII novel takes place late in 1944 near the end of the war in Europe. The story begins with the infamous Nazi commando, Colonel Otto Skorzeny, leaving a meeting with Adoph Hitler. Is this not a rich, possibility laden beginning for an action thriller? I thought so. The storyline was good, in my opinion, and the story telling was good through the first half of the book but then
it got bogged down with twists, turns and cloudy descriptions. I found the last half difficult to follow.
it got bogged down with twists, turns and cloudy descriptions. I found the last half difficult to follow.
September 9, 2018
Excellent WWII read. Frost accomplishes in a little over 300 pages what others have tried in many more- to capture the desperation, on both sides, of the final days of the conflict. The fact that much of it is true, to a great degree, only adds to the drama. And one tidbit, relayed in Frost's final notes, is particularly stunning. A page-turner.
February 23, 2025
Easily the most well-written novel I've read by Frost (so far). The Second Objective is a WWII thriller. It doesn't reinvent the wheel but has some moments of humanity that really bolstered its moral center and added a bit of weight to a story which could have turned completely into mindless pulp if in less skilled hands. A thoroughly enjoyable and well-researched yarn.
August 1, 2017
Excellent!
August 7, 2017
Mark Frost is a great writer
September 6, 2017
Great book, it had a lot of twist and turns. A very interesting concept.
March 8, 2018
"El genio comparte una frontera común con la locura "
April 13, 2018
Üldiselt saast, aga natuke päästab raamatu lõpus minuni jõudnud tõsiasi, et suur osa kujutatud sõjasündmustest ja isegi tegelastest on päris, ajaloolised faktid.
April 3, 2019
Review: Set in WWII around famous Battle of Bulge, realistic, historical fiction, thriller
Quality: Very high
Quality: Very high
September 10, 2019
Vunderbar.... awesome story with a nice backdrop of the battle of the bulge.. band of brothers
March 1, 2022
Reads like a non-fiction story but is definitely historical fiction based around some true events during the Second World War. Mark Frost did a good job keeping the story going I thought.
November 24, 2022
A fascinating story told well!
March 3, 2024
Really enjoyed this book I think it is the first-time I have read this author. Great plot(s)
October 9, 2025
Eric von Leinsdorf will always be one of the greatest and most interesting characters I have ever read.
November 19, 2025
Libby book
June 3, 2020
I don’t have many things to say about this book. It wasn’t for me, i mean, i like to read about SWW but with this book i realised i am not a HUGE fan of it.
If you are a history fan, this novel will definitely be a 5/5 because it has everything a real fan needs, background’s explanation, war scenes, treason, alliances and a lot of mistery around a second objective, only known to a few.
If you are a history fan, this novel will definitely be a 5/5 because it has everything a real fan needs, background’s explanation, war scenes, treason, alliances and a lot of mistery around a second objective, only known to a few.
February 13, 2012
World War II stories are some of my favorites. This one is well written and is a mixture of historical facts and a tale woven into the events of late 1944. The Germans are desperate and Hitler is planning a final surprise to drive the Allies back to England . If this plan succeeds, he will be able to concentrate on the Eastern Front and hope to push the Russians back to Moscow.
Small squads of German infiltrators are trying to exploit the weaknesses in the Allied forces making up the line protecting Belgium. The key spy is Erich Von Leinsdorf ,loyal to Hitler and Bernie Oster, raised in Brooklyn but brought back to Germany when his father can not find work in American during the depression. Bernie has mixed feelings and basically would like to get out and return to American as the American citizen he believes in.
The mission has two objectives, the first is breaching the Allied lines but the second is truly known only to Von Leinsdorf and will not be revealed until they have succeeded with objective # 1. This is a well written piece of historical fiction and will keep you in suspense until the very end. Now I intend to go back and read some of Frost's other books.
Small squads of German infiltrators are trying to exploit the weaknesses in the Allied forces making up the line protecting Belgium. The key spy is Erich Von Leinsdorf ,loyal to Hitler and Bernie Oster, raised in Brooklyn but brought back to Germany when his father can not find work in American during the depression. Bernie has mixed feelings and basically would like to get out and return to American as the American citizen he believes in.
The mission has two objectives, the first is breaching the Allied lines but the second is truly known only to Von Leinsdorf and will not be revealed until they have succeeded with objective # 1. This is a well written piece of historical fiction and will keep you in suspense until the very end. Now I intend to go back and read some of Frost's other books.
September 19, 2009
Incredibly interesting and well-written book. Mark Frost is one of my favorite writers and always paints interesting characters that you care about. The reason I didn't give this book a '5 star' ratting was it got a little ridiculous/spy-novelish towards the end. Von Leinsdorf (the antagonist) got out of so many sticky situations and, it seemed, was prepared for absolutely everything! He had all the right tools at the right times, and was able to outsmart just about all of the Allied forces - after this happend time and time again, it got a little hard to swallow. Very glad I read it, though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews