audiobook Church of Spies: The Pope's Secret War Against Hitler by Mark Riebling in History

Review

101 of 102 people found the following review helpful. Church of Spies reads like a thrillerBy Peter - Washington; D.C.As someone interested in what really happened behind the scenes in World War 2; I found this book riveting and hard to put down. Using records from Germany’s Institute für Zeitgeschichte and from the Vatican Secret Archives; Church of Spies casts light on WWII covert operations and spycraft that remained in the shadows for 75 years. Perhaps most-earth shattering and historically game-changing is the proof that a modern Pope; running a vast intelligence network inside Germany; green-lighted Hitler’s assassination; something neither FDR or Churchill; so far as we know; risked their reputations to do."Church of Spies" will inspire many Catholics. It brings to life the heroic priests and ordinary faithful who did not sit on their hands; and who shed their own blood in the Pope’s high-stakes espionage to stop the Third Reich.This book will also interest students of the Holocaust. It provides new context for evaluating Pope Pius XII; who opted for quiet clandestine operations instead of loud public speeches. Although not uncritical of Pius – Riebling writes that "he should have spoken out" – the book shows the German resistance itself begged the Pope not to do or say anything publicly that would cause retribution against Catholics in Germany who were concurrently planning assassinations and coups against the Third Reich.Written with the attention to detail that one finds in Rick Atkinson's Pulitzer Prize winning World War II books; Church of Spies reads like a thriller. But the nearly 100 pages of source citations remind us that what happened here is true. And savoring that truth makes reading “Church of Spies” all the more compelling.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.By Tom StrepponeThis book was written like a spy novel; but was about actual historical events. I could not put the book down. On September 1st I attending a pre-screening of the National Geographic documentary "The Pope vs Hitler" which as based on the book. That evening there was also a panel discussion with the author; director of the TV documentary and two others. We discovered that it took Mark Riebling 18 years to write this book. The research he put into this reflects this; it is excellent. This is the best book I read so far this year. I cannot praise this book too much. I hope this book helps to clear Pius X11's false reputation.17 of 19 people found the following review helpful. Pope Pius XII and Other Courageous HeroesBy James E. EgolfMark Riebling's book titled CHURCH OF SPIES should be "the final nail in the coffin" that somehow Pope Pius XII was somehow "Hitler's Pope." Riebling presented a well researched account of how Pope Pius XII; Jesuits; Dominicans; and German Catholics plotted to overthrow Hitler. The plotters often met in Vatican basement to carefully plot Hitler's demise and hopefully shorten the worst war in history. The book presents carefully contrived plans to oust Hitler. While these plans failed; Riebling gave a precise account of the risks involved and the rare courage of those involved some of whom lost their lives.As early as October 20; 1940 Vatican officials and German Catholics plus Jesuits and Dominicans plotted to assassinate Hitler. In a conversation between Pope Pius XII; Cardinal Faulhaber; Cardinal Innitzer; and Cardinal Schulte discussed if the morality of clandestine operations. They reasoned that if St. Paul used a clandestine ploy to escape incarceration; the morality of such clandestine was justified if only because great saints used such methods.Hitler was vaguely aware of the above mentioned plots. Hitler co. HATED Catholics and Catholicism. In fact; German leaders claimed that Polish Catholic clergy were much more dangerous than Polish Marxists/Communists. As "the plot thickened;" Pius XII was drawn into the plot. Obviously; Pope Pius had not love for Big Communism; he was more concerned about Hitler's Germany since Germany was closer and more dangerous to Catholics and Vatican officials. Hitler did not think middle class people and even Marxists were idealistic enough to try to assassinate Hitler; but Catholic idealism would inspire Catholics to take the risk whatever the cost. Hitler said he feared "Black Crows" (Catholic priests) in the confessional more that Marxists or anyone else.Those who were involved in plots against Hitler were often "a cast of characters." For example Joey Ox had a sense of humor and extracted information in drinking contests. As an aside; the Russians usually won these contests. Another "character" was Sister Pia who supposedly had risque reputation. Many supposedly disciplined German dignitaries who plotted against Hitler had amusing humorous secret lives which made for humorous reading."Do gooders" wanted to condemn Pius XII for being a spy and use of violence to get rid of Hitler. Such apprehensively do-gooders should study history to know full well that Catholic dignitaries often worked to mitigate tyrants or get rid of them. This is made very clear on page 62. Pius XII's distinction is that he was more involved than his predecessors in "cloak and dagger" operations. Pius XII was advised to restrain any PUBLIC denunciation of Hitler co. because such public statements would lead to more intense persecution of Catholics and Jews in German controlled Europe. Such a ploy helped Pius XII and plotters avoid closer scrutiny which was already in place. One good reason offered by St. Thomas Aquinas; Jesuits; and other Catholics about ousting tyrants is that such tyrants could impose tyranny and force people to commit acts that were contrary to civilized behavior. Hitler could sometimes have "the luck of the devil" when he left a meeting half an hour earlier than he was supposed and escaped a bomb blast.As readers may note; the above mentioned plots were complex and open to exposure. Because German authorities were aware of Catholic resistance; a new program was started called "The Black Network" so named because of Catholic clergy's' attire. As some Catholic clergy plotted against Hitler co.; the German SS now had plots to get rid of Catholic clergy. In fact; German agents had a plot to invade the Vatican; kidnap or assassinate Pius XII; and move the Papacy to Lichtenstein. Pius XII was well aware of the plot; but he was NOT the least bit intimidated. To further antagonize the German SS and Hitler; Pius XII's efforts extended to saving refugees including Jewish people which many Jewish people acknowledged during Pius XII's lifetime and during Pius XII's Requiem Mass in October; 1958. Pius XII knew that after early German victories and Mussolini's alliance with Hitler; the Vatican was left in a "sea of Fascism." Yet; Pius and Catholic leaders remained undaunted. Even some German Catholics showed resistance. For example; when German authorities tried to close a Catholic school in Germany; German wives and mothers literally attacked the German in charge and forced him to reopen the school. Such actions were a bad omen for anti-Catholic Germans.While Catholics and the Vatican were in a sea of Fascism; Catholics were very clever. Catholic priests and nuns posed as serious lovers to avoid suspicion. While such actions were against Jesuit rules and the rules of other Catholic religious orders; a "higher calling" prevailed. Riebling carefully noted Pius XII's occasional despair. When Pius XII read about German plans to increase persecution; he was saddened and prayed in despair. Some German mothers were forced to watch their children being beheaded. White Rose peaceful resistance was exposed; and these pacifists were decapitated. Yet; as Riebling noted Pius XII still showed more sense than "allied" political leaders when Pius XII voiced opposition to Casablanca Conference's demand for "unconditional surrender" which Pius XII knew would only add to the suffering after WW II ended.While Hitler co. lost WW II; Hitler was lucky. As noted above; Hitler a previous plot. In 1944; Hitler survived another plot even though he was wounded. The plotters paid dearly for the failed plot. Among those who were victims of torture and death were obviously Catholic priests including Jesuits who were the most hated by the German SS. Yet some of the plotters survived either by rare courage and/or clever efforts to avoid detection.One hero was Joey Ox "...won his life because he was ready to lose it.Mark Riebling's book CHURCH OF SPIES reads like "a thriller." While the book is carefully researched and scholarly; the book is NEVER boring. The intricacies and complex events are made clear; and Riebling did a good job in explaining the "cross currents" of events; plots; and counter plots. The false phrase of "Hitler's Pope" is left "dead and buried" via this well written book which is never boring.James E. EgolfNovember 29; 2015