Otto Skorzeny Audiobook By Stuart Smith cover art

Otto Skorzeny

The Devil’s Disciple

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Otto Skorzeny

By: Stuart Smith
Narrated by: Julian Elfer
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SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny became a legend in his own time. "Hitler's favorite commando" acquired a reputation as a man of daring, renowned for his audacious 1943 mission to extricate Mussolini from a mountain-top prison. He could be brave and resourceful, but was also a notorious egoist and an unrepentant Nazi until the end of his life.

Stuart Smith draws on years of in-depth research to uncover the truth about Skorzeny's career and complex personality. From his background as a student radical in Vienna to his bloody service with the Waffen-SS on the Eastern Front, and from his surprise rebirth as a commando to his intriguing post-war career and mysterious fortune, this book tells Otto Skorzeny's story in full-warts and all-for the first time.

©2018 Stuart Smith (P)2018 Tantor 20th Century Armed Forces Military Modern Politicians Politics & Activism Special & Elite Forces Wars & Conflicts World World War II War
Fascinating Character • Well-researched Information • Balanced Presentation • Exceptional Storytelling • Well-written Story
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Skorzeny is a fascinating character, and this is a much-awaited biography that reads almost like a war novel. A recommended reading to all interested in WWW II and/or national-socialism.

Good balanced bio, reads well

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If you like reading history books this is a 5 star book. The narrator is top notch and German pronunciations are excellent. The book is overflowing with useful information about the German Army and Skorzeny's life but is not a thriller. Good historical read!

Good history lesson

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Although Otto was a Nazi, he was a terrific marketing and military strategist. He managed to get all of the attention from Hitler while superiors had to take a back seat. I loved the story, and not many stories tell of heroic events of the axis powers. If you like WW II books and can't get enough then this is a great read for you. Love a winner even in a losing cause.

Hero is a hero

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I liked how the author presented the facts and seemed to leave it up to the reader to make his own assumptions. A lot of information as well about German Command & Control of the higher echelons and the politics of the operation of the SS. Good and well written story with good narration.

Good balance of information both Good & Bad on a legend of the Special Warfare Realm

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Plenty of facts but something important was missing. It felt like one never really was able to step into Otto's shoes so to speak. Maybe a lack of personal letters and close friends were his legacy. I thought for years he was inspirational, I was wrong.

A one dimensional Otto

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This is a very well researched and presented book. The narrator was exceptionally good. I highly recommend it to all students of WWII.

A comprehensive review of the man and the myth

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I always wanted to know what was fact and what was fiction on Otto Skorzeny, and I'm satisfied now. A criminal mastermind that rivaled Moriarty? No, but he was a charismatic leader that despite his ego and stubbornness managed to pull off some extraordinary feats. I like how the book just lays out the facts for you and let's you draw your own conclusions.

Interesting Historical Side Story

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This audio book was slower and less exciting than I was anticipating. Good overall job by the narrator. There were stretches of fairly uninteresting/pedestrian achievements in his life.

Not what I expected

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Skorzeny has an amazing story. The writer continuously tries to belittle and degrade him and that was constant and annoying.

good story but biased

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Interesting to learn that many of his professed accomplishments were in is own head, Never the less, his contributions are legendary.

Interesting Character of History

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