Operation Paperclip

The Secret Intelligence Program that Brought Nazi Scientists to America

By: Annie Jacobsen

Narrated by: Annie Jacobsen

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.

©2014 Annie Jacobsen (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Harrowing...How Dr. Strangelove came to America and thrived, told in graphic detail." (Kirkus ReviewsI)

I'm in awe of the research

This is my second Annie Jacobsen audiobook. Operation Paperclip went by so fast. I am blown away by how very thorough she was in her research. It must have taken her many years to collect and discover everything. There is no doubt it's a monumental work. And after having compiled all of that data, the way she lays it out and tells the story was mesmerizing for me. I am equally impressed with the level of detail she invested in the correct German and Russian pronunciations of the names of people and places. I love that she is the narrator. No one could tell this story as well. I highly recommend this book.

Very eye opening about Von Braun.

this book might be long but it is incredible. The book is full of facts and is written in a linear timeline so it's easy to follow. At the very end it is especially impactful when she goes through the list of people that were involved in Operation Paperclip. Especially, mr. von Braun.

Look in the Mirror, America

I had read The Rocket Team some years back when it was first published.The German rocket scientists participation in the NAZI program of death was officially glossed over in order to fight communism more effectively. It seem the US will always gravitate towards fascism over socialism or communism every time. This book highlights not only the rocket team but the other sciences that used human sacrifice to advance.

However, the fact that the US never saw itself and the treatment of black and brown Americans as being on par with the axis powers in their inhumane treatment of their citizens is a reason the US can only go so far in moving forward regarding how allegedly All Humans Are Created Equal. Clearly, not everyone agrees. Mini kristallnachts against the poor, the LGBTQ and people of color happen all too frequently in the US. The same societal apathy that killed Apollo continues to kill Americans. It appears we've learned very little from a very big war.

Creepy

It’s scary to think those who perpetrated such an awful atrocity, basically got away with it. This book had me looking forward to reading every day after work. I would love to hear an interview with the scientists’ families today.

Operation Paperclip

So good. I learned to appreciate history from my husband. He would have liked this book very much. Thank-you.

love

the information and the picture that she paints definitely explains on how we got where we are today

Provocative and Alarming

This book reinforces the notion that the U.S. Government has layers of bureaucracy operating in the shadows.

Amazing research

Amazing research. Learned so much listening to this book. Thought provoking and we would recommend.

Unbelievable

Truth is stranger than fiction. Over fifty years of coverups by the American government. Well written .

This was a great non fiction story.

This was a great non-fiction book. I was intrested the entire time. It's one of the darkest story lines America has.