OSS Against the Reich

World War Two Diaries

By: David K. E. Bruce, Nelson D. Lankford

Narrated by: Charles Henderson Norman

Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

OSS Against the Reich presents the previously unpublished World War II diaries of Colonel David K.E. Bruce, London branch chief of America's first secret intelligence agency, as he observed the war against Hitler. The entries include eyewitness accounts of D-Day, the rocket attacks on England, and the liberation of Paris.

As a top deputy of William J. "Wild Bill" Donovan, founder of the Office of Strategic Services, Bruce kept his diary sporadically in 1942 and made daily entries from the invasion of Normandy until the Battle of the Bulge. Bruce had served in World War I and, as Andrew Mellon's son-in-law, moved easily in the world of corporate and museum boardrooms and New York society. However, World War II gave him a more serious and satisfying purpose in life; the experience of running the OSS's most important overseas branch confirmed his lifelong interest in foreign service. After the war, in partnership with his second wife, Evangeline, Bruce headed the Marshall Plan in France and was ambassador to Paris, Bonn, and London. He further served as head of negotiations at the Paris peace talks on Vietnam, first American emissary to China and ambassador to NATO.

©1991 The Kent State University Press (P)2015 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"The clandestine work of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in World War II is increasingly well known... Bruce was chief of the London office of OSS, and after the war held several distinguished diplomatic assignments. The diary entries in this book cover much of the time he spent as London chief. Specialists may find the entries particularly interesting for the many influential contacts he records..." ( Library Journal)

Creation of the CIA and a WW2 dining guide in one

The narrator had a rich voice lending itself well to the piece. I was fascinated at the detail the author provided of his travels and was surprised at his focus on meals. A rare treat and a very different viewpoint. I received this book from the author, narrator or publisher via audiobookblast free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.

An Interesting Read (Listen)

The book started off a bit slow for me, having the first 15 minutes dedicated mostly to descriptions of dining experiences. After that, I enjoyed listening to the entries. This was an interesting book told from a unique perspective. I am glad to have read it and it has sparked me to read more about WWII and reference different points during the war with entries from this book. (As an additional note, I found listening at 1.25 speed was better for me.)

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

An interesting listen, but....

Well, I now know what Colonel Bruce had for breakfast, who he ate dinner with and how he traveled around Europe. The beginning of the book seems to be nothing more than that. There are a couple of very interesting sections, I particularly enjoyed his view on D-Day and the liberation of Paris, but they were unfortunately let down by issues with the narration.

When I listen to an Audiobook, a great narrator enhances it and disappears into the book, a good narrator you wouldn't notice. Unfortunately, I wouldn't classify Charles Henderson Norman as a good narrator. His performance is often delivered in a very stilted and monotone manner. At time's, it's difficult to tell when one sentence ends and another begins because his delivery seems very rushed. I actually felt myself having to concentrate to listen to the content of the book effectively.

Overall, it has the potential to be a good listen if you can tolerate the poor narration.

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Blast.