Otto Skorzeny

The Devil’s Disciple

By: Stuart Smith

Narrated by: Julian Elfer

Length: 13 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny became a legend in his own time. "Hitler's favorite commando" acquired a reputation as a man of daring, renowned for his audacious 1943 mission to extricate Mussolini from a mountain-top prison. He could be brave and resourceful, but was also a notorious egoist and an unrepentant Nazi until the end of his life.

Stuart Smith draws on years of in-depth research to uncover the truth about Skorzeny's career and complex personality. From his background as a student radical in Vienna to his bloody service with the Waffen-SS on the Eastern Front, and from his surprise rebirth as a commando to his intriguing post-war career and mysterious fortune, this book tells Otto Skorzeny's story in full-warts and all-for the first time.

©2018 Stuart Smith (P)2018 Tantor

Good balanced bio, reads well

Skorzeny is a fascinating character, and this is a much-awaited biography that reads almost like a war novel. A recommended reading to all interested in WWW II and/or national-socialism.

A comprehensive review of the man and the myth

This is a very well researched and presented book. The narrator was exceptionally good. I highly recommend it to all students of WWII.

Hero is a hero

Although Otto was a Nazi, he was a terrific marketing and military strategist. He managed to get all of the attention from Hitler while superiors had to take a back seat. I loved the story, and not many stories tell of heroic events of the axis powers. If you like WW II books and can't get enough then this is a great read for you. Love a winner even in a losing cause.

Good history lesson

If you like reading history books this is a 5 star book. The narrator is top notch and German pronunciations are excellent. The book is overflowing with useful information about the German Army and Skorzeny's life but is not a thriller. Good historical read!

Good balance of information both Good & Bad on a legend of the Special Warfare Realm

I liked how the author presented the facts and seemed to leave it up to the reader to make his own assumptions. A lot of information as well about German Command & Control of the higher echelons and the politics of the operation of the SS. Good and well written story with good narration.

A one dimensional Otto

Plenty of facts but something important was missing. It felt like one never really was able to step into Otto's shoes so to speak. Maybe a lack of personal letters and close friends were his legacy. I thought for years he was inspirational, I was wrong.

Not what I expected

This audio book was slower and less exciting than I was anticipating. Good overall job by the narrator. There were stretches of fairly uninteresting/pedestrian achievements in his life.

Interesting Character of History

Interesting to learn that many of his professed accomplishments were in is own head, Never the less, his contributions are legendary.

good story but biased

Skorzeny has an amazing story. The writer continuously tries to belittle and degrade him and that was constant and annoying.

Balanced and fascinating story of Skorzeny

With this title, I finally know the full story of Otto Skorzeny; what he did and what he was like.

I really like how balanced the author is. While he clearly lays out Otto's daring exploits, he makes a point of showing how they actually happened, and notes discrepancies in Skorzeny's version of these events. He also clearly thinks Skorzeny is somewhat fly-by-night, relying on daring instead of thorough planning. (Or, on having others do the planning for him).

If you want to know more about Skorzeny, get this book. I really feel that it's an unbiased review of what he did well (and not so well).