Operation Paperclip: The Secret Intelligence Program That Brought Nazi Scientists to America

By Annie Jacobsen

Book Overview

The "remarkable" story of America's secret post-WWII science programs (The Boston Globe), from the New York Times bestselling author of Area 51.

In the chaos following World War II, the U.S. 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 U.S. 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 twentieth 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.

"Harrowing...How Dr. Strangelove came to America and thrived, told in graphic detail." --Kirkus Reviews

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316221031
• ISBN13: 9780316221030
• Release Date: January 2015
• Publisher: Back Bay Books
• Length: 624 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Excellent research.

I am familiar with this author's works. I am a tour guide and one of my tours is Area 51. I read her book on Area 51 to broaden my understanding of the subject. My academic background is history and I found it interesting how she made connections with the UFO phenomenon and possible Nazi technological developments. I was aware of many instances of our acquiring various technological and medical records and research conducted by the Nazis. Both good and bad. That led me to this book. I am almost overwhelmed by the incredible amount of research involved and presentation in just the first 150 pages. No intellectual slumming here or pandering to people enthralled by tragedy or speculation based on sensationalized sloppy research. That being said it is well written, well organized, and fast paced enough to keep even the interested non-specialist turning the pages.

Truth is stranger than fiction! Great book!!!

This might be one of my top 5 favorite books! So well written and keeps you engaged! I don’t know how many times I can be surprised by the American government’s secret operations!