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Operation Paperclip
- The Secret Intelligence Program that Brought Nazi Scientists to America
- Narrated by: Annie Jacobsen
- Length: 19 hrs and 26 mins
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Operation Paperclip
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Publisher's Summary
The “remarkable” story of America's secret post-WWII science programs (The Boston Globe), from the New York Times best-selling author of Area 51.
In the chaos following World War II, the US government faced many difficult decisions, including what to do with the Third Reich's scientific minds. These were the brains behind the Nazis' once-indomitable war machine. So began Operation Paperclip, a decades-long, covert project to bring Hitler's scientists and their families to the United States.
Many of these men were accused of war crimes, and others had stood trial at Nuremberg; one was convicted of mass murder and slavery. They were also directly responsible for major advances in rocketry, medical treatments, and the US Space Program. Was Operation Paperclip a moral outrage, or did it help America win the Cold War?
Drawing on exclusive interviews with dozens of Paperclip family members, colleagues, and interrogators, and with access to German archival documents (including previously unseen papers made available by direct descendants of the Third Reich's ranking members), files obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, and dossiers discovered in government archives and at Harvard University, Annie Jacobsen follows more than a dozen German scientists through their postwar lives and into a startling, complex, nefarious, and jealously guarded government secret of the 20th century.
In this definitive, controversial look at one of America's most strategic, and disturbing, government programs, Jacobsen shows just how dark government can get in the name of national security.
Critic Reviews
"Harrowing...How Dr. Strangelove came to America and thrived, told in graphic detail." (Kirkus ReviewsI)
What listeners say about Operation Paperclip
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 19-01-2021
love when the author reads
love whe the author reads for audible and great story, sad but very informative
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 19-06-2022
Fascinating and horrifying
A fascinating listen. The book focused a lot more on the Nazis work during the war and leading up to the surrender of the Nazis to the Allies than I expected. Operation paperclip isn't really mentioned until past halfway through the book. Given the title I was surprised but the author really sets the scene of who the Nazi doctors and scientists were and the crimes they committed during the war. I really felt the full weight of what it meant for these dedicated Nazis to be not only given their freedom but a comfortable life making very good money working for the US military. I knew the rough story of operation paperclip and yet with all the details and a more full picture of the program, it was still shocking to me. I really recommend this book if you are interested in WWII history, Nazi history or government secret operations.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 17-02-2021
Long and confusing, but interesting for the most part.
Generally focuses on a handful of german scientist and doctors - explores what their atrocities committed in WW2 and after in project paperclip.
The story flips between many characters which makes it hard to follow, so periodically there a reminders interjected throughout to remind the reader who someone is. There’s a character summary chapter at the end of the book but that doesn’t really work in the audible format.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 26-03-2019
The dark secrets following WW2
One of the best books explaining the race for knowledge in the aftermath of WW2.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Troy
- 10-08-2021
Timely and poignant reminder...
Especially given the current world events. Looks like we are doomed to repeat our not so distant history.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 11-12-2020
history that should be taught
what a great book,Annie does a great job bring history to life , it makes you think what the world would have been like if Germany had won
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- john lincoln
- 03-10-2019
dirty science
narration was a little wooden ,but the facts leave a dirty stain on modern history and science.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Mr Peter Brennan
- 19-06-2019
Great book overall
Really liked the book, only real issue was the pronunciation of a few of the German names, placenames and words.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 20-03-2022
Sad story, excellent book.
Justice for the people whose lives these people ruined, came too late and only when extremely convenient for the US. Northing changes. Brilliant book, fabulous author, depressing story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Glenn Hanley
- 17-02-2023
Great
Great Great Great Great what a story can’t believe that the government is that corrupt.
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