
Spies in the Congo
America's Atomic Mission in World War II
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Narrated by:
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Justine Eyre
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By:
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Susan Williams
About this listen
The Shinkolobwe Mine in the Belgian Congo was described by a 1943 Manhattan Project intelligence report as the "most important deposit of uranium yet discovered in the world". So long as the United States remained in control of this mine and its supply, it had a world monopoly on the primary material needed to build an atomic bomb. The uranium from this mine was used to build the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Given the possibility that the Germans were also working on an atomic bomb, it was a priority for the United States to prevent Congo's uranium from being smuggled to Germany. This task was given to the newly created Office of Strategic Services, later known as the CIA.
Although much has been written about ALSOS, the secret intelligence mission created to investigate the German atomic project, so far nothing has been written about the intelligence mission at the source of uranium - the Belgian Congo. Spies in the Congo is based on a mass of newly released (and formerly top secret) archive material in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Belgium; personal testimonies; and a range of audiovisual materials, including a set of 8mm films taken by the lead spy.
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What listeners say about Spies in the Congo
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- Samah
- 04-12-18
interesting story
this was an interesting story about the history of how Congo was involved in the Atomic bomb project.
the book was dry at times with just people's names and there were times where it was jumping from one character to another. but the reader was great. her voice made it a fun read.
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- Dewey Boyd
- 01-01-18
Why Lumumba Was Killed
Excellent Work ..Filled in The Gaps on Why Patrice Emory Lumumba,Was Assassinated and Congo s minerals covered
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- Winifred Hinson
- 08-24-16
More little known history
Fascinating. Did not like narrator however. Sounded like a valley girl...well written and adventurous
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5 people found this helpful
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- T.J.
- 08-07-17
Amazes me how some people find jobs
The narrator's voice is so annoying I almost returned this title. How anyone ever listen to her and thought, "she'd be a great book narrator," is beyond me.
She does good character accents but her normal voice is so pretentious.
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- Justin Perry
- 10-08-20
Extremely Interesting
Great story overall, I am glad that some of the Everett event is now finally coming to light. The only downside of the book was the narrator sounded like a robot.
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Overall
- Alfred Cota
- 05-07-21
Atomic Diamonds: A Review of "Spies in The Congo".
Having family involved in World War II and The Cold War... "Spies in The Congo", opens up an additional chapter in The History of The OSS during World War II.
Before his death, due to a series of strokes in 1971... Alexander S. Moch, claimed he was a member of OSS. Upon research, it seems very possible that he was a charter member of COI and a Nephew or Grandson of Former Secretary of State, Oscar Straus.
The validity of Moch's claim is what he shared with me in abbreviated gibberish, becomes more enlightening, in this OSS History Chapter. In "Spies in The Congo", by Susan Williams reveals a much deeper perspective of "The Nuclear Question" and what we are facing today. What we get as a history lesson, pales in comparison to the consiquences we now face. In spite The Enlightenment of historical exposure... there is also A Dark Side to all this as well. It is a Personal Shadow of what I have inherited from the sharing from 'Uncle Alexander'. Though I no direct involvement... indirectly I do, that I must additionally research. All and all, "Spies in The Congo", in my opinion... a good read and in my opinion, an eye opening account, that effects all of us.
~Rev./Dr. A. Edward Moch (aka: Alfred Cota)
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- Diane
- 11-23-23
Research quality is excellent
The book is compellingly researched and thoughtful. The story is naturally enthralling. I was impressed by the degree of thoroughness of the work in synthesizing a narrative from disconnected sources.
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