Hunting Eichmann

Chasing Down the World's Most Notorious Nazi

By: Neal Bascomb

Narrated by: Paul Hecht

Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Best-selling author Neal Bascomb has garnered critical acclaim for such riveting nonfiction as Higher and Red Mutiny. Based on extensive interviews and previously classified details, Hunting Eichmann is a compelling account of the relentless hunt for the nefarious Adolf Eichmann.

©2009 Neal Bascomb (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Straightforward, seamless, cut-to-the-chase report

This is one of the few non-fiction audiobooks I've heard that is completely engaging. I loved the narrator's voice and sometimes felt like I was listening to a radio news reader from back in the day -- there was something authentic to his style that fit the subject matter. The book itself was an amazing account of the hunt for a Nazi fugitive halfway around the world (and the fact these guys pulled this off without cell phones, computers, Internet...it's mind-boggling). There's just enough background information on Eichmann to inform the listener on his crimes, and even better there's a good amount of information on the backgrounds of many of the key heroes involved in the hunt. I found it so uplifting to imagine all these men working together with no pay, no guarantees, no safety net, in order to pull off one of the most magnificent bring-to-justice stories ever.

Excellent Audio Book

This is a wonderful audio book that covers all relevant facets that I wanted to hear about. You learn about the atrocities of Eichmann, his family, and Israel's commitment to finding him. The really great thing is that the action continues to rise until near the end. Very professional narration as well, and I was very pleasantly surprised. Also a fair amount of interesting information about the hunt for Josef Mengele.

An old story for a modern generation

Any additional comments?

I was familiar with the basic history of the events described in this book. Even though I new how it would end I still found it suspenseful and compelling. It's an action/spy story with no guns, no explosions, no car chases, and yet still captivating. Now 50+ years after the events recounted here, I guess most listeners would know very little about this somewhat obscure period in modern-ish history. Now is a chance to learn, in a painless, even enjoyable way, a bit of history that everyone really ought to know. The book is well written, well researched, well paced, and well performed. I definitely recommend it.

Thrilling and sober

This is much more than the story of a hunt for one man. I don't even want to trivialize it by trying to sum up everything it covers, so I'll say only that this is another, very revealing, very significant facet of the effects of the Holocaust. You don't have to be Jewish to find it profoundly moving and thought-provoking. It reads like a political thriller, but never in a melodramatic way. Definitely worth a listen.

Capturing Evil

This is probably the best audio book I've ever heard. Where to begin after that? Simply to say that Neal Bascomb has written a taught, highly suspenseful narrative of the capture of one of history's greatest monsters. The book is perfect for audio. All the meticulous details of the planning, Eichman's fearful and almost successful efforts to allude capture, the stalking of the prey, and the execution of an incredible mission are wonderfully portrayed in Paul Hecht's excellent reading. I didn't want it to end.

Excellent

Like a spy novel but better. Then again, true history is stranger than fiction.

This book gives a good, sometimes thrilling account of the hunt for the notorious Nazi killer. The book is not too 'gory', nor is it over written in minute facts...

Great story, well read. Very interesting stuff.

Chris Reich

Couldn't Stop Listening

This is a fantastic book. There was not a dull moment for me in the story. It is real life cat and mouse game, and the author has all the details of what happens. He did excellent research, even though you may know the story you still think they will not actually catch Eichmann. If you like spy novels with war mixed in this will not fail you. The reader was great. Most of the books I have read/heard are English narraters, but Paul Hecht was American with a very strong authorative voice. He was perfect for the role.

Great book

This is a great book that had been on my wish list for quite a while. It really gave you the history after World War II and I never knew that a lot of people wanted to forget what Hitler and company had done and just move on. I don't know if I would have felt that way. The build up of people knowing that was probably Eichmann in South America but preceding cautiously with that information was suspenseful. Even though you know what eventually happens you won't be disappointed with this book. The narration is great. Not as long as the hours imply; this is a fast listen.

Must read this book!

Chilling. Gripping. Frightening. I couldn't put it away. Every American should be required to read this in high school. I feel some sense of satisfaction to know how he lived after what he did.

Horrifying, riveting, inspiring

This account of hunting one of the most notorious war criminals in history is non-stop. I was riveted from the start. After reading "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich", "Bonhoeffer", and "In the Garden of Beasts" it was nice to read this post-war history of bringing this monster Eichmann to justice. Additionally, there were many other details concerning the Third Reich that were related to this main story and equally fascinating. Cannot recommend this book highly enough!