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HomeShop at BookSurgeHistoryUnited StatesGeneralCodename: Magpie: The Final Nazi Espionage Mission Against the U.S. in WW II |
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review from Sara T. Watson Oct 14, 2006
Although I am a peaceable old woman whose professional life was spent teaching English literature to college students, I have an interest in military history, especially accounts of the "good war", which shaped so much of the imagination of my generation. I have been reading with enjoyment an excellent account of a relatively unknown episode of that conflict: Codename: Magpie, by James L. Centner. Colonel Centner's encyclopedic knowledge of his subject, as well as his lively style combine to make an extremely entertaining story of the almost incredibly consistent failure of Germany's espionage and sabotage, especially in the effort to carry these out in the United States. It is sobering to reflect that World War II was won by great valor, sacrifice and determination, but also by the seemingly providential failures of the enemy, the results of that hubris, arrogance and folly that consistently underestimated his foes.
Codename: Magpie resonates in today's world in ways that make the reader grateful for the past, wary of the future, hopeful that, ultimately, good prevails.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Brilliant and Entertaining Book about Nazi Spying in America Sep 14, 2006
Never judge a book by its cover. I was not sure what I was expecting when I got my hands on a simple and non-discreet looking book called "Codename: Magpie - the final espionage mission against the U.S. in WWII". What I found inside was far from a simple telling of historic events about Nazi spies in America but a brilliantly written story that puts all the pieces together for the entire spy ring that Germany had in the U.S., England and other places. I was hooked and could not put the book down. Author James L. Centner nails the important issues and gives a superb analysis of the entire operation and the people involved.
It is not just the facts of this story that make this a great book but it is how Centner captures the full character and nuisances of each participant. He gets inside their heads and gives you an insightful look at what these people were like and what motivated them. I was duly impressed and fascinated. In fact, I could not put the book down until I finished it completely. It is as much a page turner as any novel. But if this were a fictional accounting of these events no one would ever believe it--it is just that hard to believe that this group was so incompetent. This whole history of this spy ring and how they actually helped Germany to lose the war is amazing stuff.
I was born in 1946 and for whatever reasons, I had missed this whole little piece of Nazi history and I thought I was a real student of WWII events. I can honestly say that I learned something from this book and enjoyed doing so. Centner makes this history come alive and is very entertaining reading. His narratives work very well as he weaves facts and details into the fabric of his story. I honestly enjoyed reading this book.
When one reads the author's bio in the back of the book it is not hard to see why this book is as good as it is. James Centner seems to have done everything in his life at the highest levels of achievement. He also has a extensive background in intelligence and the military among other things. I would actually love to read the author's autobiography someday if he chooses to write one.
This book is given the MWSA's highest book rating of FIVE STARS! It also receives my personal recommendation as a must read book. Even non-history buffs will enjoy the story.
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