Alexander Klein (1918–2002)

'Current Affairs' at the time (1969), now a very interesting time capsule. The biggest thing that stood out to me on reading this was the perceived primacy of the student campus revolts (Berkeley, Columbia) and the sexual revolution. The Vietnam War is treated more as one of many concurrent 'issues' dividing the generations. Kudos to the editor for the order of presentation of the newspaper, magazine, and book excerpt pieces. The book has a really good flow to it. A curiosity to be sure but a very enjoyable read.… (mehr)

This is the thrilling true story of the allied agent who, as the title suggests, pretended to be a Nazi sympathizer in order to obtain vital information about the German oil industry. I would also recommend that you see the movie of the same name, made in 1962 and starring William Holden. It features an excellent musical score by Alfred Newman and a poignant episode with Lilli Palmer, who plays an idealistic anti-Nazi. I didn't realize that the movie omitted and/or changed several aspects of the story until I read the book.… (mehr)