Saboteurs: The Nazi Raid on America

By Michael Dobbs

In 1942, Hitler's Nazi regime trained eight operatives for a mission to infiltrate America and do devastating damage to its infrastructure. It was a plot that proved historically remarkable for two reasons: the surprising extent of its success and the astounding nature of its failure. Soon after two U-Boats packed with explosives arrived on America's shores–one on Long Island, one in Florida–it became clear that the incompetence of the eight saboteurs was matched only by that of American authorities. In fact, had one of the saboteurs not tipped them off, the FBI might never have caught the plot's perpetrators–though a dozen witnesses saw a submarine moored on Long Island.
As told by Michael Dobbs, the story of the botched mission and a subsequent trial by military tribunal, resulting in the swift execution of six saboteurs, offers great insight into the tenor of the country--and the state of American intelligence--during World War II and becomes what is perhaps a cautionary tale for our times.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Dec 18, 2007
• ISBN: 9780307427557

Michael Dobbs

"<p>Con un amigo como Michael Dobbs, ¿quién necesita enemigos? Su ritmo es, de nuevo, perfecto. Magníficamente atrevido.» <i>The Times</i></p> <p>«He aquí un escritor de intriga política con un conocimiento de primera mano de cómo funciona el interior de ese mundo. <i>House of Cards</i> es una novela reveladora, muy ágil y brillante.» <i>Daily Express</i></p> <p>Michael Dobbs (Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, 1948) se educó en Oxford y tras su graduación viajó a Estados Unidos para cursar un posgrado en el Centro Fletcher de Derecho y Diplomacia y en la Universidad Tufts. En 1975 volvió a su país y empezó a trabajar en el Partido Conservador, donde llegó a ser jefe de gabinete de Margaret Thatcher. Después del inmenso éxito de <i>House of Cards</i>, ha publicado hasta veinte novelas, la mayoría de ellas de intriga política.</p>

Reviews for Saboteurs

[wordsampersand · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I remember buying this when it hit paperback, which was about ten years ago. I'm hitting myself for neglecting it since then. This is an incredible work of non-fiction, well-written and thoughtful. It concerns the botched German raid on America during WWII, and it kind of plays out like a Coen brothers film--it's tense, but there's an undeniable bit of weird humor that ties it together. In fact, I'm amazed this hasn't been made into a film.

[gothamajp · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In 1942 German submarines delivered two groups of saboteurs on to beaches in Long Island and Florida with orders to attack US aluminum production plants. They had plenty of explosives and money, but what they didn’t have was the skills or conviction. The German secret service had chosen the wrong men. After abandoning the explosives and living the high-life in New York and Chicago the group’s leader surrendered to the FBI hoping to turn their knowledge of Nazi Germans into a propaganda weapon. Instead they were subjected to a hastily convened military trial of dubious legality. This is a complex tale skillfully told in which neither nation, their leaders, or government agencies come out well. And in the center is what amounts to the sad tale of 8 men caught up in a situation outside their control.

[jztemple · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent, interesting read. Very well told story of eight German saboteurs sent to the USA in 1942 and how they were betrayed by two of the their own. The last part of their book, about their trial before a military commission and the appeal of their attorneys to the Supreme Court, is a fascinating look at justice, emotion and political expediency in wartime. Highly recommended.

[robertmorrow_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very good read that gives vivid characterization of less-than-fanatical Nazis who stumbled into a pathetic plan and fell victim to paranoia.