The Strasbourg legacy

by William Craig

Book by Craig, William

Genres: Thriller, World War II, Historical, Espionage

187 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

William Craig (1929-1997) was an American author and historian.

Reviews

[Jeannette · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read on the WondrousBooks blog.

I remember watching Enemy at the Gates when I was very young and it had left such a huge impression that I re-watched it a couple of years ago and I loved it once again. That in mind, when I was invited to review The Strasbourg Legacy, I was very excited.

The book, however, did not live up to my expectations. At all. It had none of the chilly suspense from Enemy at the Gates. It was short and not very inspired. The plot was bland, it lacked any considerable plot-twists and cliffhangers. Actually, nothing much was going on at all. From the beginning of the book you know what's going on and at no point does it make you bite your nails with excitement. Nazis are trying to overtake Germany during the Cold war. The end. As the reader expects, the coup d'etat attempt is thwarted. Nothing new under the sun.

My biggest issue was with the characters themselves. And their utter lack of personality. There is a huge group of unremarkable men with virtually the same behaviour and to top that off, they all have similar names: Corcoran, Clemens; Bleemer, Brandt, Bormann.

Not to mention that between the Germans, the Russians and the Americans we have to pick a side. And the good guys are... Well, the Americans, of course. Like the American army never did anything horrible and atrocious. They are doing nothing but saving the world. NICE TRY.

And whatever happened with the Israelis in this book? Their assassin was killed and they decided to just say "Okay then, in this case we have no more to fight about in this book?" That's very likely. Yeah.

[Cold War Conversations Podcast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting 1970s written and based thriller of Nazi resurgence in West Germany

William Craig wrote “Enemy at the Gates” which was later filmed with Jude Law as Soviet sniper Vasily Zaytsev. Although “The Strasbourg Legacy” hasn’t been filmed this book has a somewhat cinematic feel with its quick back and forth scene changes.

The story centres on CIA agent Corcoran as he unravels a plot to replace the West German government with Nazis that escaped or hid following the end of World War II. Corcoran realises it’s a Nazi plot, but his superiors are convinced the Soviets are behind it at and that they are seeing the opening shots of World War 3.

The action is quite fast moving and being written in the 1970s some of the dialogue can seem a little dated but certainly contemporary of some attitudes at that time and during World War 2.

It’s an entertaining read and the plot holds up surprisingly well. Not a bad way to while away few hours.

[Zeb Kantrowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOTE: this was a free eBook from NetGalley

At the end of WW 2 there were stories about the Odessa group that was to smuggle as many of the Third Reich’s hierarchy out of the country to South America. But, some of the mid-level operatives would remain behind in West Germany, slowly building a new cadre of leaders who would infiltrated the new government. When the time was right, they would rise up and create a new Fourth Reich.

This story revolves around a troika of agents, an American a Soviet and an escaped Nazi. This story is set at the time of the Arab oil embargo that followed the “Yom Kippur” war in 1973. Israel had been attacked on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, and Egyptian tanks had been able to force their way across the Suez Canal, with the help of a former German General of their Engineering Corp. As thanks to the German, the Arabs would turn off the oil spigot to the US military in Europe.

The Nazi’s who had been ‘hiding in place’ were planning a coup-d’etat, and by restricting the flow of oil/gasoline to US troops in West Germany, they would be able to stop any response to their actions. Without the help of the US military, the West German government (with their military controlled by the Coup) would be powerless to stop the Nazi takeover.

This is a very well written and plausible narrative as to how a Coup like this could have been pulled off. Unlike in Iraq, the US military had kept a cadre of lower level officers and non-coms around which to build the “new” German military. It’s quite possible that a group of SS could have infiltrated the Bundeswehr and by 1975 (thirty years after the war) been in top positions.

The major problem with this novel(ette), is that it hasn’t ‘aged’ well. The world has changed too much over the last forty years for this story to seem reasonable to anyone under fifty. If you didn’t grow up during the cold war (prior to 1989) this will seem like an alternate-history story (for good or ill).

Zeb Kantrowitz zworstblog.blogspot.com zebsblog@gmail.com

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

When I got an email invitation to read this book through Netgalley, I couldn't resist it (I always have troubles resisting to read a book when I'm directly asked to) even though spy thrillers in general are not something I have a lot of experience with.

In this cold-war book (it almost breathes cold war, for as much as an ebook can do that) Nazis have been hiding and waited for the perfect moment to return to power, plotting in the shadows.

While perhaps it could have been an enjoyable book, I didn't like it. It wasn't for me. Also, being first published in 1975 to me it felt outdated. Not just because of the cold war vibe, but also the writing itself. I was thinking to myself 'this book hasn't aged well'. But I did see especially in certain parts a spy thriller that looked not bad, even though I didn't like it.

What I've learned from this novel: That I can say no to a Netgalley email invitation...

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Donna Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Whoa now! The times, they have a-changed, and isn’t that a great thing? Thus this once-socially-acceptable novel, a spy thriller steeped in the Cold War politics of the mid-20th century, no longer works. But thank you for the invitation to review, friends at Net Galley and Open Road Integrated Media; I know you meant well.

The author presents a situation in which escaped Nazi Germans are developing plans to foment a second fascist government, developed abroad till the time is right. The ones we visit are sequestered in Egypt. At the same time, Israel’s equivalent of the CIA is out hunting for escaped Nazis, whom they will cause to die quietly and unofficially so as to avoid international incidents. The writer knows his craft well, and shows considerable skill in building suspense by jumping us from one group to the other at critical, cliff-hanging moments.

One single sentence caused me to climb off Craig’s bus, so to speak:

“It was the brandy that triggered them to drag the girl off the streets and rape her for two days.”

Had this been the perspective of a deranged psychopath, a mindset clearly different from that of the good guys, I would have been more generous with my rating and review, but this guy is supposed to be the marshmallow among his set, the old softy who gets himself into trouble by trying to save the suffering damsels.

Give me a fucking break.

For this novel: no, no, and one more time: no!

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was written in the 1970s when the thriller market had a glut of neo-nazi plots, such as Odessa File, Marathon Man and Boys From Brazil. The first eighty percent of this novel is terrific, following a number of plot threads, slowly drawing them together.

It weakens at the end when we stop discovering the intent of certain characters until the resolution. It made the ending feel rushed. Still, a very enjoyable read. Strongly recommended to Kent.

[Ed Mestre · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had previously read two other books by William Craig, the meticulous history of the battle of Leningrad, “Enemy at the Gates” and the cold war fictional thriller, “The Tashkent Crisis.” I enjoyed both (perhaps for “Enemy…” admired is a better word.) Until the final couple of chapters “The Strasbourg Legacy” lagged behind the others. It was never terrible, though when it comes to the Nazi SS, it tells some terrible things. I guess I was expecting the edge of my seat thrills I found in “Tashkent…” which, as I implied, didn’t occur until the final chapters. But it’s a short read and with today’s blatant neoNazism raising its ugly head, this tale of establishing a Fourth Reich, there’s a definite morality play here Craig may have never intended, at least not 50 years after writing it and not here in the USA.

[Diego Palomino · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can happen

Great novel about Odessa members attempt at jump starting the Fourth Reich, by coming out of the shadows to overthrow the west German government. Well presented, well written I had to read it in one sitting. I had read The Fall of Japan from the same author and like the way he writes.

[Donn Lorber · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fictional plan for former Nazi’s to return to power in West Berlin,during the Willy Brandt administration. A gripping plot to return to power starting w Martin Bormann in South America and his former henchmen in all parts of the West German government. An American CIA helps to foil the plot and protect democracy

[Augusta Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Strasburg Legacy very much. Although not so much at first because there were too many names to keep track of. I finally got all the characters straight and I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the story about the young displaced Nazis who became older Nazis and tried to start the fourth reich. They almost succeeded.

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great spy novel. CIA, USSR Cold War novel with a Nazi power grab in West Germany.

[Armando Negron · Rating 2 out of 5]

First published in 1975, this book is a chronicle of the remnants of the Third Reich and their quest to not become irrelevant. The book cover is really attractive, showing a Reichsadler (imperial eagle) with its wings spread, as menacing as when it was being utilized by the Nazis. This is what pulled me into reading the story, topics of World War II have achieved a legendary status, and I was hoping that this would follow suit. I don't think that was necessarily achieved, but more on that a little later in my review.

If you are the reader of this book and lack a basic knowledge of the late years of the European front of World War II, the East Germany/West Germany split, the ODESSA, or even the actions of the infamous Shin Bet, then you should make some research before opening this book. The author jumps into his narrative, interweaving these topics without much background explanations. While I have read much about this time period, at times I found myself pausing my read just to consult online references to put things into perspective.

Taking place in the 70s, the same period it was written, we read the story of a power struggle of sorts with "escaped" Nazis that want to create government instability, gain some sort of power, and even pave the way for a Fourth Reich. Getting involved in all this mess is an American agent named Matt Corcoran, who finds himself peeling the layers of multiple conspiracies, treacherous "allies," and power hungry political machines.

At just 183 pages it is a rather small book, it did not take much time to get from cover to cover. However, even for such a quick read I found myself struggling to get into the story. I just could not connect with the characters or the storyline. Maybe it is because of a disconnect between my generation, and the one this was written for, but the words just did not flow well for me. It was not until the books final pages that I felt some sort of interest for what was "coming next." The ending is fun, and shows a quite elaborate plan and how the heroes are able to work around it.

This is by no means a bad book, it is just one that is not well suited for everyone.

** I received a free copy of this book as an ARC by the author/publisher in exchange of a honest review.

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Strasbourg Legacy” eBook was published in 2015 (the paper version was originally published in 1975) and was authored by William Craig (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William...). Mr. Craig has published four books.

I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The setting of this Thriller novel is the final days of World War II, and then covers about 30 years afterward.

As the German SS see the inevitable surrender, they make long range plans to see the Reich rise again. Escape routes are set up and significant wealth is secretly transferred out of Germany and hidden away for future use. In the years after the war, the SS cadre help those friendly to their cause. By the time the bulk of the story takes place, there are many leaders of industry and high placed government officials secretly friendly to the cause.

There are many characters in this novel, though the primary one is CIA agent Matt Corcoran. Corcoran leaves a training position at CIA headquarters to investigate the theft of weapons from the US Army. There are a series of other events that seems to point the finger at Soviet espionage, but Corcoran feels there is a deeper plot. He sets out to track down who is behind it all.

The SS has bided it’s time and now (the mid 1970’s) it uses its connections, wealth and power to put a series of events in motion that will topple the current German government. Waiting to step in to fill the resulting power vacuum are secret leaders within the SS.

I enjoyed the 3+ hours I spent reading this 187 page novel. It reminded me a lot of novels I had read years ago by Helen McInnes and Alistair Maclean. The ‘feel’ of the novel made me believe that it was authored some time ago, and that indeed proved to the be case (1975). It did seem to be a little disorganized at some points, and I think there were perhaps too many characters being followed. Over all, though, I enjoyed the novel. I give this novel a 3.9 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

[A Reader's Heaven · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

In the chaos of defeat, while Germany's roads teemed with desperate refugees and jumbled armies, Hitler's inner circle tried to disappear. Heinrich Himmler donned an eye patch and posed as a farmer. Captured by British troops, he bit into a cyanide capsule concealed in a tooth cavity. Rudolph Hoess, former commandant of Auschwitz, was discovered working as a farmhand near Bremen. But many of the most notorious Nazis escaped, including Josef Mengele and Adolf Eichmann. Martin Bormann, the Fuehrer's private secretary, was rumored to be living everywhere from the Soviet Union to South America.
Almost 3 decades later, CIA agent Matt Corcoran is sent to Bad Nauheim to investigate possible Soviet involvement in the theft of US Army munitions. He hears whispers of German Reds blowing up NATO ammo dumps, neo-Nazis aiding the Arab cause against Israel, and a plot to assassinate the German chancellor. Corcoran soon begins to suspect that behind the turmoil is an organization as diabolical as it is improbable: a cadre of loyal Nazi officers, under the command of Bormann, who are bent on bringing about the Fourth Reich.


This was a mixed bag of a story - first published in the mid-70s, the writing style was a little hard to get into. The characters were somewhat under-developed and I found it hard to make any connection with them. The content itself was very time-sensitive - I went into reading this thinking I was getting a Frederick Forsyth / John Le Carre style novel, but instead it felt a little like a B-grade novel in that context.

Sadly, the idea for the plot was quite interesting - enough for me to request a copy from Net Galley. The final part of the big started to live up to those expectations but it just never really got above a so-so story.


Paul
ARH

[Maria Beltrami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although affected by his age, set as it is at a time when Germany was divided into two and the Cold War threatened to warm up each day, it is a book still funny and valuable. The author collects a bit of the myths related to Nazi war criminals and weaves them with real facts and, as in any good book of spies worthy of respects, make the arch-enemies have notto become the best of friends when it comes to remove from the roads third wheels.
Good reading, but totally inadvisable for anyone who is a fanatic of conspiracy.
Thank Open Road Integrated Media and Netgalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Nonostante risenta della sua età, ambientato com'è in un'epoca in cui la Germania era divisa in due e la guerra fredda minacciava di scaldarsi ogni giorno, si tratta di un libro ancora divertente e apprezzabile. L'autore raccoglie un po' dei miti relativi a criminali di guerra nazisti e li intreccia con fatti reali e, come in ogni buon libro di spie che si rispetti, fa sì che gli arci-nemici siano si trasformino nei migliori degli amici quando si tratta di togliere dalla circolazione terzi incomodi.
Ottima lettura, ma del tutto sconsigliabile a chi è un fanatico del complottismo.
Ringrazio Open Road Integrated Media e Netgalley per avermi concesso una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.

[Nolene Driscoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given a free book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

A cold war spy thriller. This is a well written spy chiller that when written was plausible but times have changed now and seems a little outdated. Fans of cold war spy thrillers will enjoy but for me it never really got going. I wasn't gripped.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another attempt to establish The Fourth Reich. The CIA's Matt Corcoran puts together pieces from several seemingly unconnected incidents and determines that a plot exists to take over the government of West Germany and restore the Reich. With some help from an old acquaintance in the KGB, he tracks down the conspirators, and brings the situation under control.

[Deb Novack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow C.I.A. agent Corcoran as he investigates a plot to place Nazi's that escaped decades ago back in power in Germany. I found that I could not put this book down, it has an intriguing story-line and interesting characters.

This book was given to me in return for an honest review.

[Mhorg · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the vein of Forsyth

This is a tremendous read. 1960's. Nazis, KGB, CIA, a Irish CIA officer whose like a bloodhound, former Nazi prisoners of the Soviets, troubles in west Germany. flies past the readers eyes with a thrilling ending.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Fourth Reich book. William Craig