I have to be honest, when I first opened ‘The Unsinkable Herr Goering’ by Ian Cassidy, my first thought was “Oh God – thick book, small type – groan.” And while I love the desperate dramas of war, I was less than excited to launch into yet another book, telling yet another one of millions of war stories. But, as a conspiracy guy through and through, reviewing The Unsinkable Herr Goering was actually a perfect fit for me. The cloak and dagger intrigue of governments and empires has always offered a cornucopia of entertaining underhanded plots, and Cassidy has cleverly used his talent to take on modern high profile ones, leaving readers wanting ever more.
The fall of the Nazi’s Third Reich had the world cheering for revenge, and few Nazi’s exceeded the gluttony, greed and ego of Herman Goering. So, when the news got out that he’d been captured and was heading to Nuremberg for trial, a cheer was heard around the world. His arrogance on the stand and during the trial never faltered, as the man who saw himself as Hitler’s replacement denied any and all responsibility for crimes against humanity. But, was it Goering who had been arrested, or an impostor carefully selected to take the fall?
The Unsinkable Herr Goering, by Ian Cassidy, is a well written book. It was crafted by an obvious literary journeyman, who takes us through a portal of time to reveal what truly happened in the last days of World War Two. Layer upon layer of espionage keeps the reader wondering how so many character threads can possibly be woven into a cohesive work. From Irish tradesmen to a Serbian cook, the paths of characters in several countries slowly begin to converge, until it all begins to spin like a whirlpool pulling you into another world.
Though there are elements in this book that seemed suspiciously more like the secret life of J. Edgar Hoover, Cassidy gives readers an accurate glimpse into the sexual liberation and experimentation going on in Europe during that time. And, though Hitler had made homosexuality illegal, the sexual orientation and preferences of many of Germany’s high society and finance were ‘ignored’. Decadence, power and affluence are rarely a recipe for good people, and Hermann Goering was the perfect example of how badly they corrupt, deceive and destroy. Ian Cassidy has taken a little fact, a little fiction and with a little conjecture, masterfully wove them into a literary tapestry of sights, sounds, places and faces.
The Unsinkable Herr Goering, by Ian Cassidy, is not a book that once picked up is easily put down. While not a light read, it is a bright read, and well worth its pittance of a price. This book will shock, anger, revolt and sadden you, but, ladies and gentlemen, isn’t that exactly what entertainment is supposed to do? Did Herman Goering ultimately get what he richly deserved, or did he take the coward’s way out? Alternatively, the conspiracy guy in us all wants to know, did Goering spend his remaining days in opulence and splendor, financed by the spoils of war? The only way to know for sure folks, is to read this “hard to put down” book.
About the Author:
A product of the hazy, crazy days of the sixties, previously a spectacularly unsuccessful barrister and spectacularly apathetic teacher, Ian Cassidy now writes boring law pieces by day, and interesting fiction by night. He currently lives in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
About the Author:
A product of the hazy, crazy days of the sixties, previously a spectacularly unsuccessful barrister and spectacularly apathetic teacher, Ian Cassidy now writes boring law pieces by day, and interesting fiction by night. He currently lives in Lichfield, Staffordshire.[/caption]
Bookworm Rating:
Book Review By: W. Lewis, Publisher at The Northern Star
