Hitler's Last Chief of Foreign Intelligence

by Reinhard R. Doerries (Editor)

When World War II came to an end the Allies competed for access to top Nazis, Walter Schellenberg being one of the most important. The British took Schellenberg into custody before the Americans or Russians could reach him. This is the first time that the transcription of the British interrogations have been made available; and Professor Doerries provides an extensive and scholarly introduction explaining the significance of Schellenberg within the Nazi Reich and the importance of the information that he provided to the Allies.

Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2003

Reviews

[Lewis Weinstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walter Schellenberg was a vital part of Hitler's Nazi machine, but much better educated and smarter than most. One of the fascinating aspects of Doerries approach is his willingness to consider alternate interpretations and to speculate on Schellenberg's thinking. This is great material for a novelist and provides many possibilities for interactions between Schellenberg and my character Berthold Becker.

For example, these three excerpts may all lead to exciting scenes ...

... Schellenberg recognized the abyss into which Germany had fallen with Hitler and knew a price would have to be paid

... already in 1941 … Schellenberg concluded Germany might lose … began to consider Secret contacts with intelligence operatives in the two neutral nations … Sweden and Switzerland

... Schellenberg believed that large international companies were potential networks for the collection transmission of intelligence

[Marcel Dekker · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is the first book i read about Walter Schellenberg, and I found the information in it clear, interesting and understandable. To my taste the focus is too much on Schellenberg's efforts to create liaisons to the allied forces (and therewith trying to portray him in a positive light), because surely this was not the only thing he did. Dörries is trying too hard to present Schellenberg as a "good" nazi. Sure, he is not Himmler, but he is no Ghandi either. For being biased, therefore a 3 out of 5 stars rating.