- Hardcover: 326 pages
- Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (31 Oct 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0714647926
- ISBN-13: 978-0714647920
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 13.6 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,043,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
This is a first-hand report by a top German intelligence agent sent to the still-neutral United States in World War I. Official German records, captured by British and American forces at the end of World War II, show the memoirs of the German naval officer to be accurate.
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First Sentence
From Admiral Sir Reginald Hall, the Chief of the Naval Intelligence Division during the War. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
From Admiral Sir Reginald Hall, the Chief of the Naval Intelligence Division during the War. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The Dark Invader: Rintelen has written a gem of a story. His account of his and his team's activities in the USA during their pre hostilities activities of 1914 when they were hell bent on making munitions (Money) for others to use is priceless. On reading the book this reader was not sure whether he was reading a historical account of the period or one of the best-written yarns that would grace any silver screen. The combination of sheer audacity and cool self-assurance deserves to read. It is in reality a contemporary commentary on the goings on in the USA and its posturing and scheming to stay out of the 1914-1918 war, they did join the war in 1917. Rintelen was taken back to Britain after the ship that he was on travelling was boarded by the Royal Navy and interned. At the end of the war Britain reverted to perfidy and took him back to the USA for imprisonment. It is a commentary on the darker side of war and sabotage written unusually from the `losing side'. It has sadness and excitement with a style that caused the reader to laugh out loud. The Return of the Dark Invader is something to look forward to. Well don Captain Von Rintelen
Format:Unknown Binding|Amazon Verified Purchase
I first read a Penguin copy of this book in 1940 when in R.N.hospital in Kingseat.
It left a lasting impression and I was so glad to obtain a copy. Thank you !
It should be reprinted
It left a lasting impression and I was so glad to obtain a copy. Thank you !
It should be reprinted
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Some books are more true than others
21 Feb 2003
Format:Hardcover
Great read, if taken slightly tongue in cheek. Remember he was a spy and while he does much to reveal the inadequacies of the German military machine and extol that of the British, he was a man used to lying and deceiving. His view of 'truth' might just differ from yours and his whole account is best viewed sceptically. There is a lot that does not ring true. The coincidence of him being invited to the very party where the very man assigned to hunt for him is present. It makes good, exciting reading. Is it true? How could a man who was German pass himself off to establishment Englishmen as their fellow countryman and it not be noticed? His accent and use of English must have been exceptionally good. Americans could be fooled but the English? Highly unlikely. I think there is some truth in the book but he has, for artistic reasons done substantial embellishing. I agree with the other reviewer, it would make a great film or short TV series. Lots of uglier sides to life shown, high drama and comedy thrown in. We should seach for an historical perspective though to get a more rounded out picture of the man and what he really did. I would really recommend the book-I read it in a day and a half and was so sad when it finished. A very satisfying read, leaving you wanting more of the same.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
ONE OF THE TOP TEN SPY MEMOIRS
28 Oct 2002
Format:Paperback
This is a real gem of a book. It was recommended to me by a friend and the very next day I found a 1938 Penguin Edition staring out at me in the second-hand book store. For the 50cents it cost me, it was one of the best reads in my life.
Von Rintelen was a German Naval Officer in WWI and was one of those cobbled together in desperate times to work on espionage eassignments all over the world. Speaking either North American or British English, he could disguise himself effortlessly as a businessman interested in buying armaments for the western allies in New York. While America was still neutral Von Rintelen planted bombs on transports and munitions ships, disseminated false imformation, and even organised his own labour union (inviting US congressmen to speak at some of its conventions) all usually with the help of disgruntled Irish Americans wanting to help cripple the English war effort. All the while he established a string of false companies to buy and trade in NY.
The vignettes are incredible and worthy of a hollywood thriller. He ends up at a hotel party in Massachussets and finds out that the British Naval Attache assigned to look for him is attending the same party that night. Von Rintelen, decides right away to join the party and introduces himself to the British Attache as .... of all people... a British Naval Commander sent from London on special assignment to apprehend this Von Rintelen chap! (Really himself). Of course without instantaneous email or transfer of pictures over the wire, the British Attache has no idea that he is indeed talking with Von Rintelen (hillarious!), while Von Rentilin, over drinks, proceeds to draw out all the information British Naval Intelligence know on hilself.
He was eventually arrested in the Channel while on a Dutch Liner heading back to the country disguised as a Swiss National.
This is WWI and the ruthlessness of later wars is not present. His opponents are mainly honourable "genetlman" where he enjoys the commraderie of other English Officers whilst in confinement in England. His first glimpse of "democracy" happens when he is shipped back to the US as common spy (despite the fact that this may have been technically illegal under international law --- even at the time) and incarcerated in Atlanta until 1921. That he only got 4 years for espionage and sabotage is a interesting indication how far the US has come: in 1917, during wartime,they gave German Spies guilty of espionage & sabotage 4 years in jail. In 2002 the US is executing teenagers and the mentally handicaped for capital crimes -- progress?
His descriptions of Southern Jails is also interesting and his empathy with the criminals is an interesting refrain for this German gentleman.
A highly interesting and fast paced book that should be made into a movie.
Brilliant account of behind the scenes sabotage
9 Dec 1998
Format:Hardcover
Interesting story of Europe dragging America into war. The final chapter on his imprisonment until long after all other POWs were freed and the harshness of southern prisons.
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