Operation Paperclip

Starred review from December 9, 2013
As comprehensive as it is critical, this latest exposé from Jacobsen (Area 51) is perhaps her most important work to date. Though Americans are quick to remember the United States’ heroic feats in WWII, they tend to be more amnesic (or allergic) toward some of our nation’s shadier activities in the effort—one of which seems to have been forgotten altogether. For just as some Nazis awaited trial at Nuremburg, others—namely prominent, potentially useful scientists—were secretly smuggled into the country by the U.S. government to help prepare for an ostensibly impending “total war” with the Soviets. In fact, even an appearance at Nuremburg didn’t rule out a trip to the States. Needless to say, what to do with potentially useful war criminals posed an unusual predicament. If such a claim sounds dubious, Jacobsen persuasively shows that it in fact happened and aptly frames the dilemma in terms of “Who would be hired, and who would be hanged?” Rife with hypocrisy, lies, and deceit, Jacobsen’s story explores a conveniently overlooked bit of history the significance of which continues to resonate in the national security issues of today.

Annie Jacobsen's narration is as clear as her writing, yet the subject matter of this exposé still makes for an uncomfortable listening experience. Using years of research and recently released documents, Jacobsen guides the listener through a secret government program that gave some of the Nazis' most brutal scientists work and a life in the U.S. instead of judgment and punishment at Nuremberg. Jacobsen's journalistic skills carry over to her delivery style in a presentation that is objective and unemotional without sacrificing any of her passion for the subject. Detail and background are sufficient for history buffs and general audiobook fans alike. This unique look at a dark incident in our history is as disturbing as it is fascinating. M.O.B. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine