The Leader and the Damned (Paperback)

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Review
Was Adolf Hitler really assassinated in 1943, his place taken by a double, with Martin Bormann the hoax's mastermind? In the right hands, that farfetched idea might be a perfectly viable premise for a fanciful WW II "faction." Here, however, middling suspense-writer Forbes (Avalanche Express) doesn't develop that kernel into textured plausibility; instead, he uses it as the springboard for hundreds of pages of utterly routine chase-action - as an Englishman who knows the Hitlerhoax secret tries to reach London with his info. This cardboard hero is Wing Commander Ian Lindsay, a duke's nephew who manages to reach Hitler's Berchtesgaden hideaway in 1943 - on a mission ("a sort of Hess in reverse") to propose peace while collecting data for UK intelligence. But it just so happens that Adolf (killed by a plane-bomb) has been replaced by actor Heinz Kuby, with Bormann (who has purged all witnesses) and Eva Braun (Kuby's longtime mistress, supposedly) the only ones in the know. So ex-actor Lindsay, more discerning (implausibly) than the entire German high command, starts suspecting that this Hitler is a phony - while the Abwehr and Gestapo are keeping busy with another mystery: who is the Soviet mole (code-named "Woodpecker") in Hitler's inner circle? Then Lindsay escapes, aided by Hitler's private secretary, who just happens to be part of the anti-Nazi underground. With help from gorgeous super-spy Paco and assorted partisans, he sneaks through Austria to Yugoslavia. But he's being chased by the Gestapo, the SS, and the Abwehr - with kill-orders from Hitler; furthermore, Moscow also wants Lindsay dead, with a mole high-up in British Intelligence arranging for Lindsay's escape route to end in murder. And so it goes - with the revelation of Woodpecker's identity the only semi-surprise (a totally unconvincing one) waiting at the end of this 480-page slog. Forbes writes stolidly at best, more often turgidly. Each plot point is mercilessly, repetitiously belabored. (Bormann explains to Hitler/ Kuby why Lindsay must be killed on p. 313: "I have studied Lindsay's file carefully. . . He was once an actor." And he's still at it on p. 409: "I have read his file. He was once a professional actor. . .") The supporting players, from the good Nazi to the bad Nazi to the beautiful/noble spy, are as creaky as the celebrity-cameos. All in all: a promising notion bungled at great length - more for undemanding fans of escape-suspense than Hitler-history buffs (who'll be disappointed). (Kirkus Reviews)

Product Description
Working from the premise that Hitler was murdered in 1943, and replaced by a look-a-like, this story reinterprets the events which took place from 1943 to 1945. At the centre is Martin Bormann, and his plan to cover-up Hitlers death in an attempt to stop anti-Nazi generals seizing power.

6 Reviews 5 star:  (5) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.7 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars LEADER OF THE DAMNED, 21 Sep 2003 By  J. J Kamlani "jotuj" (Fairfield, Connecticut United States) - See all my reviews His last good novel. After which he started his cereal(and I spelled it the way I intended to) formula stories. In 1943 there were several attempts on Hitler's life, by his inner circle of confidants. His personality also changed the same year, from cold, and calculating to a raving lunatic. This novel postulates that one of these attempts actually succeeded, and that Hitler was replaced by one of his doubles(one that was insane) to keep the country together. Full of action, mystery, and suspense, this novel proves that he once WAS one of England's best thriller writers. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   3 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars His best book by far!, 28 Jul 2001 By  J. J Kamlani "jotuj" (Fairfield, Connecticut United States) - See all my reviews His best book by far! He almost has you believing that one of the attempts on Hitler actually succeeded, (i.e. his change in temperament in 1943, after the supposed attempt on his life - was this really Adolf, or the double we knew about, who had a tendency toward childish temper tantrums?) All in all, the story was very convincing, and full of action. Definitely his best. Don't bother with the series he started on, right after writing this masterpiece, starting with Terminal. All of his later books are formula, and the only thing he changes in his series are the names of the villains, and a few of the settings. It's almost as if he is writing more out of drudgery, and obligation, than enjoyment. Try instead his older books; 1.Year of the Golden Ape 2. Palermo Ambush 3. Tramp in Armor 4. Heights of Zervos 5. Target 5 6. Avalanche Express The books I have listed above are among his best... I feel it is time for him to retire from writing. Sorry Colin. I was a big fan of yours once, I wish I could say so now. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   1 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Just fantastic and realistic, 27 Mar 2001 By  ciano22@hotmail.com (Trieste, Italy) - See all my reviews Forbes puts a theory into place which really could have happened, if one looks at certain historical facts concerning Hitler. While reading this book, you will find that you can't wait to turn the page to see what will happen next. The story can be totally unpredictable as to what happens to certain of the characters right until the end of the book. A masterpiece. Buy it. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 6 customer reviews...		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars leader of the damned fantastic read.once started you will have a job to put it down.easy read and well written Published 1 month ago by Mr. P. H. Lamble 3.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't live up to its premise The premise of The Leaderand the Damned, that Hitler was assassinated in 1942 and relaced by a double, is very interesting. All the reviewers on Amazon.co. Read more Published 2 months ago by NoWireHangers 5.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing "what if" story of WW2 Colin Forbes' novel of an attempt on Hitler's life in the mid 1940s, and all that happens from that, is both believable and very enjoyable. Read more Published on 18 Oct 2000 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 6 customer reviews...

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