The Nazis Next Door: How America Became a Safe Haven for Hitler's Men - Hardcover

Lichtblau, Eric

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0547669194 ISBN 13: 9780547669199

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014

Synopsis

The shocking story of how America became one of the world’s safest postwar havens for Nazis
Thousands of Nazis — from concentration camp guards to high-level officers in the Third Reich — came to the United States after World War II and quietly settled into new lives. They had little trouble getting in. With scant scrutiny, many gained entry on their own as self-styled war "refugees," their pasts easily disguised and their war crimes soon forgotten. But some had help and protection from the U.S. government. The CIA, the FBI, and the military all put Hitler's minions to work as spies, intelligence assets, and leading scientists and engineers, whitewashing their histories.

For the first time, once-secret government records and interviews tell the full story not only of the Nazi scientists brought to America, but of the German spies and con men who followed them and lived for decades as ordinary citizens. Only years after their arrival did private sleuths and government prosecutors begin trying to identify the hidden Nazis. But even then, American intelligence agencies secretly worked to protect a number of their prized spies from exposure. Today, a few Nazis still remain on our soil.

Investigative reporter Eric Lichtblau, relying on a trove of newly discovered documents and scores of interviews with participants in this little-known chapter of postwar history, tells the shocking and shameful story of how America became a safe haven for Hitler's men.

About this title

Book Description

HMH hardcover, 2014; previous ISBN 978-0-547-66919-9

From the Back Cover

New York Times bestseller — Espionage category

For the first time, once-secret government records and interviews tell the full story of the thousands of Nazis—from concentration camp guards to high-level officers in the Third Reich—who came to the United States after World War II and quietly settled into new lives. Many gained entry on their own as self-styled war “refugees.” But some had help from the U.S. government. The CIA, the FBI, and the military all put Hitler’s minions to work as spies, intelligence assets, and leading scientists and engineers, whitewashing their histories. Only years after their arrival did private sleuths and government prosecutors begin trying to identify the hidden Nazis. Now, relying on a trove of newly disclosed documents and scores of interviews, Eric Lichtblau reveals this shocking, shameful, and little-known chapter of postwar history.
 
“Disturbing.” — Salon   

“Engaging.” — Chicago Tribune

“A gripping chronicle.” — Times of Israel

“Riveting . . . An important, fascinating read.” — Jewish Book Council
 
Eric Lichtblau is a New York Times investigative reporter in Washington. In 2006 he won a Pulitzer Prize for stories on the NSA’s secret wiretapping operations. He is the author of Bush’s Law: The Remaking of American Justice.

Edition details

• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0547669194
• ISBN 13: 9780547669199
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288