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Operation Eichmann: The Truth about the Pursuit, Capture and Trial
On May 24, 1960, David Ben-Gurion, prime minister and founder of Israel, stood before the Knesset and made a startling ""I have to inform the Knesset that, some time ago, Israeli security forces found one of the greatest Nazi criminals, Adolf Eichmann, who, together with other Nazi leaders, is responsible for what they termed the Endl?sung [Final Solution] of the Jewish question, in other words, the extermination of six million European Jews. Adolf Eichmann is already in this country under arrest and will shortly be brought to trial."" Operation Eichmann, as the pursuit, capture, and trial of the notorious Nazi official was known, stunned the world. Its success was due largely to the unceasing efforts of one man, Zvi Aharoni, an experienced Mossad operative who was a skilled investigator and interrogator. He tracked Eichmann to Argentina, secured photographs that established his identity, and was a key player in the plot to kidnap the exiled war criminal and bring him to trial. Above all, as the sole person to interrogate ""the architect of the Final Solution"" after his capture, and the man who convinced Eichmann to admit his identity and face trial in Israel, Zvi Aharoni is the only one who knows firsthand what Eichmann actually said—a controversial subject often misrepresented in previous accounts. Now, for the first time in Aharoni's own words, comes the extraordinary true story behind one of history's most famous manhunts. Daring, dramatic, filled with episodes of breathtaking suspense and intrigue, Operation Eichmann is also a powerful chronicle of conscience and of the never-ending search for justice. All the intricate planning and preparation, the relentless pursuit of evidence, the constant need to justify time and expense are related with exacting detail. As events unfold, various political, personal, and philosophical issues come into play, focusing not only on a top secret mission, but on the priorities of individuals—as well as nations—during the Cold War era. The startling complicity of those who gave refuge to and provided safe passage for fleeing Nazi leaders reveals an expansive network of global proportions, while the seeming indifference of others is equally chilling. Adding to the tension is the emotional toll imposed on the participants, for whom the operation became a constant exploration of the theme of justice vs. revenge. A probing, deeply personal account of a real-life undertaking to rival the most breathless cloak-and-dagger fiction, Operation Eichmann is a powerful, compelling reading experience. ""Operation Eichmann has been covered by a wide range of 'literature.' However, in all the books written so far there have been certain constraints which have meant that the writers were not able to present a full and correct picture of what actually happened. There is no doubt that this book represents an objective and authentic addition to the tale of heroism that led to the capture of Eichmann and his standing trial in Israel. Without Zvi Aharoni and his friends, we would never have achieved what we did.""
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 18, 2012
If you are looking for a hyped up version of the capture of Eichmann, filled with James Bond like scenarios, then this isn't the book for you.
Instead Zvi Aharoni gives his own factual account of the events in a clear concise manner. Granted it isn't superbly exciting, but then it doesn't have to be. The content and events within speak for themselves.
To give the reader a complete picture of historical events and the subsequent reasons for finding Eichmann, Aharoni takes us back to the beginning and where it all started for him and his family.
He takes us through the pre-WW2 build up of the NS Party, the existence of camps many years before the war began. Introduces us to some of the more well known war criminals and their rise to power. Inevitably he also gives some examples of the horrific atrocities that were done unto the many millions of innocent human beings during the Nazi regime.
The author delves into how so many war criminals of that era managed to not only escape, but remain free and unpunished. It is a slap to the face to realise that many of them never actually left Germany and were integrated into society with different names, supported by big name industries or guided overseas via the Vatican and many helping hands.
What emerged quite strongly for me from this book, was the fact that despite all the apparent alleged Odessa connections, that Eichmann lived as a working class male in the time up until his capture. Unable to survive successfully without the extreme dogma and discipline of the Hitler regime, he failed at almost everything after the war. That supports two theories, that Odessa was a myth blown out of proportion and that Eichmann was one of those people who evolved in his sadistic tendancies due to the convenient circumstance of opportunity and power.
Talking about convenience, it suited all countries that harboured these criminals to ignore their past, because a high number of them were well educated professionals in their fields.
Although quite factual and unemotive, the author manages to introduce a clear picture of what really happened during the pursuit and capture. Now and again the language structure is a little awkward, due to translation, but it doesn't detract from the reading.
Finally I think the most important message was the point Aharoni made about the Holocaust denial. The supporters of this lie are on the rise. Academics and professionals, who have the audacity to besmirch the memories of not only the millions of innocents who were murdered, but also that of the survivors and their families.
Anyone who perpetuates the lie that the Holocaust never happened is as guilty as the criminals who committed the crimes, and they deserve to be treated with the same disdain.
Instead Zvi Aharoni gives his own factual account of the events in a clear concise manner. Granted it isn't superbly exciting, but then it doesn't have to be. The content and events within speak for themselves.
To give the reader a complete picture of historical events and the subsequent reasons for finding Eichmann, Aharoni takes us back to the beginning and where it all started for him and his family.
He takes us through the pre-WW2 build up of the NS Party, the existence of camps many years before the war began. Introduces us to some of the more well known war criminals and their rise to power. Inevitably he also gives some examples of the horrific atrocities that were done unto the many millions of innocent human beings during the Nazi regime.
The author delves into how so many war criminals of that era managed to not only escape, but remain free and unpunished. It is a slap to the face to realise that many of them never actually left Germany and were integrated into society with different names, supported by big name industries or guided overseas via the Vatican and many helping hands.
What emerged quite strongly for me from this book, was the fact that despite all the apparent alleged Odessa connections, that Eichmann lived as a working class male in the time up until his capture. Unable to survive successfully without the extreme dogma and discipline of the Hitler regime, he failed at almost everything after the war. That supports two theories, that Odessa was a myth blown out of proportion and that Eichmann was one of those people who evolved in his sadistic tendancies due to the convenient circumstance of opportunity and power.
Talking about convenience, it suited all countries that harboured these criminals to ignore their past, because a high number of them were well educated professionals in their fields.
Although quite factual and unemotive, the author manages to introduce a clear picture of what really happened during the pursuit and capture. Now and again the language structure is a little awkward, due to translation, but it doesn't detract from the reading.
Finally I think the most important message was the point Aharoni made about the Holocaust denial. The supporters of this lie are on the rise. Academics and professionals, who have the audacity to besmirch the memories of not only the millions of innocents who were murdered, but also that of the survivors and their families.
Anyone who perpetuates the lie that the Holocaust never happened is as guilty as the criminals who committed the crimes, and they deserve to be treated with the same disdain.
September 19, 2020
"მოსადის" ყველაზე გახმაურებული და გიჟური ოპერაციის ობიექტური აღწერა პირველწყაროსგან. ერთ-ერთი ყველაზე მთავარი ნაცისტი დამნაშავე ისე მოიტაცეს არგენტინიდან და ჩაიყვანეს ისრაელში, კაციშვილმა ვერაფერი გაიგო. საიდუმლო აგენტის საქმიანობის უმნიშვნელო დეტალებიც კია აღწერილი წიგნში, რაც ზოგად წარმოდგენას გიქმნის საიდუმლო სამსახურის შიდა სამზარეულოზე.
March 18, 2013
"Operation Eichmann" was a surprisingly powerful read. It begins with a detailed account of the author and his family's escape from Nazi Germany in the 1930s, with much background information about the politics behind the anti-semitic measures taken in Germany. It also describes in much detail Eichmann's career and private life. More insight is offered about the establishment of the state Israel, Mossad and the internal decisions to hunt down Eichmann, finally the search itself and the repercussions.
This book works incredibly well in this cleverly brought together range of topics. It shows us the personal small and bigger tragedies before and during the holocaust but only as background for the investigator. Having read many books on the Holocaust I never cease to be shocked at the many more stories that can be told about this dreadful era.
Yet we move on from those horrific tragedies to the escape story of Eichmann and the lengthy operation that leads to his capture. There is so much to learn from this book, information about the reception of the capture in Germany and in diplomatic circles, the reaction of Eichmann's family and many unbelievable quotes from the man himself.
This book works incredibly well in this cleverly brought together range of topics. It shows us the personal small and bigger tragedies before and during the holocaust but only as background for the investigator. Having read many books on the Holocaust I never cease to be shocked at the many more stories that can be told about this dreadful era.
Yet we move on from those horrific tragedies to the escape story of Eichmann and the lengthy operation that leads to his capture. There is so much to learn from this book, information about the reception of the capture in Germany and in diplomatic circles, the reaction of Eichmann's family and many unbelievable quotes from the man himself.
October 7, 2012
I very much enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down.
The book seems a fair account of how the infant Israeli secret service located and captured Eichmann. There was plenty of background to both the operation and on Eichmann himself. Much of this a revelation in itself, particularly how Eichmann managed to get out of Germany and to Argentina. (The Vatican).
It is not a book full of secret agent type stuff but instead is a genuine look at what is of course weeks of boring surveillance and planning, though it is well enough written to make this interesting.
If you have some interest in post war Europe, German war criminals and the whole issue of how we dealt with that situation then this is a recommended read.
The book seems a fair account of how the infant Israeli secret service located and captured Eichmann. There was plenty of background to both the operation and on Eichmann himself. Much of this a revelation in itself, particularly how Eichmann managed to get out of Germany and to Argentina. (The Vatican).
It is not a book full of secret agent type stuff but instead is a genuine look at what is of course weeks of boring surveillance and planning, though it is well enough written to make this interesting.
If you have some interest in post war Europe, German war criminals and the whole issue of how we dealt with that situation then this is a recommended read.
January 20, 2019
Well Worth the Read
This book is important as it documents the capture of Adolf Eichmann from the perspective of the agent in charge of the operation. It should be read with other books on the subject including “Eichmann before Jerusalem” by Bettina Stangeth and “Hunting Eichmann” by Neal Bascombe. The film, Operation Finale is a good compliment to this book.
This book is important as it documents the capture of Adolf Eichmann from the perspective of the agent in charge of the operation. It should be read with other books on the subject including “Eichmann before Jerusalem” by Bettina Stangeth and “Hunting Eichmann” by Neal Bascombe. The film, Operation Finale is a good compliment to this book.
July 20, 2017
At times slow as it recounts the operation in full, but it was interesting to hear from the source how the operation went down, including any mistakes that were made along the way.
Read
December 21, 2021What an exciting read
Well worth read
Well worth read
November 4, 2019
A daring saga of a pursuer and the pursued. The nefarious architect of "Endlosung", Himmler's crony and a Hitler fanatic - Adolf Eichmann was personally responsible for the extermination of millions of Jews. After the German defeat, this mass murderer takes flight under a multitude of disguised identities. A team of Shin Beth and Mossad Nazi hunters under the command of the irrepressible Isser Harel and including Zvi Aharoni (the co-author) relentlessly follow Eichmann's trail with a sole motive - to mete out justice. What follows is a breathtaking tale of ingenuity and incredulity extending from Berlin to Buenos Aires! A scintillating M.U.S.T R.E.A.D
September 6, 2013
It's obvious that OPERATION EICHMANN is a powerful, thrilling read, the subject matter all but guarantees it but what I like about the story is it's lack of sensationalism with regards to the manhunt. There's a lot of books out there about Adolf Eichmann, many of which either don't know or for some reason don't tell the full truth but Zvi's is a first person account wonderfully paced and operationally fascinating. There's a moment in the book that highlights that both sides need to learn from history in order to not repeat it and it's incredibly haunting.
April 13, 2015
Published:1996
Author: Zvi Aharoni
Recommended for: fans of history novels
Edition: Kindle
In this book Zvi Aharoni gives his very own factual account on 'Operation Eiochmann'. it is a very power read. The author goes into great detail to fill the reader in on all of the background and his families escape from Nazi Germany. It is very well paced and very well written. It is a book that you will find hard to put down. I recommend this for any readers who enjoy History books.
Author: Zvi Aharoni
Recommended for: fans of history novels
Edition: Kindle
In this book Zvi Aharoni gives his very own factual account on 'Operation Eiochmann'. it is a very power read. The author goes into great detail to fill the reader in on all of the background and his families escape from Nazi Germany. It is very well paced and very well written. It is a book that you will find hard to put down. I recommend this for any readers who enjoy History books.
September 9, 2013
An in depth account on the life of a WWII war criminal. Whether the Germans were guilty of the macabre executions still to be decided as a myth or reality, however, one must salute the assiduous efforts of Israelis to bring to justice an individual seeking refuge from his misdeeds.
A must recommend to all prying on WWII war crimes.
A must recommend to all prying on WWII war crimes.
June 1, 2013
A fascinating insight into the tracking down and capture of an infamous nazi war criminal. Tells of all the successes and failures that took place, the dramatic moments and the weeks of painstaking work that went into it all.
Read
October 24, 2018Really in-depth and captivating.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews