Bibliograph

A special mission, Hitler's secret plot to seize the Vatican and kidnap Pope Pius XII, Dan Kurzman

Type

Label

A special mission, Hitler's secret plot to seize the Vatican and kidnap Pope Pius XII, Dan Kurzman

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 261-268) and index

Illustrations

illustrationsplates

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

A special mission

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

85019092

Responsibility statement

Dan Kurzman

Sub title

Hitler's secret plot to seize the Vatican and kidnap Pope Pius XII

Summary

In September, 1943, Adolf Hitler, furious at the ouster of Mussolini, sent German troops into Rome with plans to deport Rome's Jews to Auschwitz. Hitler also ordered SS General Karl Wolff, who had been Heinrich Himmler's chief aide, to occupy the Vatican and kidnap Pope Pius XII. But Wolff began playing a dangerous game: stalling Hitler's kidnap plot, while blackmailing the pope into silence as the Jews were rounded up. This tale of intrigue and betrayal is one of the most important untold stories of World War II, and A Special Mission is the only book to give the full incredible account of Hitler's kidnap plot and its far-reaching consequences. - Publisher

Table Of Contents

Prelude to madness -- Wolff in the wolf's lair -- The plotters -- Flirting with treason -- Fighting for Hitler's ear -- The only way to save Germany -- Closer to Himmler than to Himmel -- A wandering dog -- A prisoner of sorts -- Out of fear of men -- Living with God and the devil -- A Blueprint for massacre -- An agonizing dilemma -- The art of examining walls -- Driven by a greater Cause -- Eve of desperation -- "But they promised me" -- A bargain in blood -- The mathematics of murder -- The path to the Vatican -- The odd couple -- Meeting a new conqueror -- Saved from the noose

Classification