Ratline is the documented history about the mechanisms by which thousands of other Nazi war criminals fled to the remotest parts of the globe--including quite possibly Adolf Hitler.It is a story involving Soviet spies; Nazi priests; and a network of Catholic monasteries and safe houses known as the rat line. The name of one priest in particular; Monsignor Draganovic; was discovered by the author in a diary found in Indonesia. Why would this name turn up in a document written in a spidery German hand in a remote island in Indonesia? As famed author Peter Levenda began his research; more information came to light: In December of 2009; it was revealed that the skull the Russians claimed was Hitler's--salvaged from the bunker in 1945--was not that of Hitler! In 2010; files from the Office of Special Investigations of the Justice Department were declassified; revealing a history of American intelligence providing cover for Nazi war criminals. The mystery deepened; and the author returned to his own roots hunting Nazis in North America; South America and Europe. He revisited old contacts; made some new ones; and gradually the explosive story was revealed: there is no forensic evidence to prove that Adolf Hitler died in the bunker in April 1945!
#1467398 in Books Texas AnM University Press 1999-09-01Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.56 x .97 x 6.42l; 1.47 #File Name: 0890969035248 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. GreatBy GunnyThis book covers the First Texas Cavalry through the American Civil War. Made up by primarily Texas Rangers; The 1st TCdoes Texas proud and one must reimagine the images as seen by the Union troops when; just before battle they would see men with in wide hats; riding small ponies (Texas Cavalry) when compared to other cavalry units of men on big horses with tall hats. These men of the Texas cavalry would exhibit shrill blood-curdling war cries; carried usually 2 revolvers; swords; tomahawks; bowie knives and some type of carbine. Heavily armed and fierce fighters; the 1st TC would have; enforce and maintain a code of honor few other regiments could meet. Good; factual read.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An outstanding history of the First Regiment to fight for Texas and the ConfederacyBy Joe Owen"Horse Sweat and Powder Smoke" The First Texas Cavalry in the Civil War" by Stanley S. McGowen (Texas AM University Press; 1999) is a fine book about the history of the first regiment of Cavalry mostly made up from Texas Rangers who fought for Texas and the Confederacy during the Civil War. The regiment was also known as "The First Texas Mounted Rifles" and was the first Confederate Unit organized in Texas and the longest to serve participating from battles with the Kiowas and Comanches inside Texas to participating in battle against Union forces. The author tells the compelling history of the regiment that was first formed in the beginning days of the Civil War right after Texas seceded from the Union. The commanding officer Henry McCulloch was a former Texas Ranger and became its first commanding officer and such notable Texans such as Captains James B. "Buck" Barry; Thomas C. Frost; August Buchel; and William Yager became effective officers who emphasized discipline and chivalry within the regiments.Throughout the war; the First Texas Cavalry became noted for their discipline in camp life and in battle; even during the harshest of conditions when lack of food; terrible sanitation; and disease took many lives. However; within the regiment; they were always a cohesive and outstandingly effective fighting unit that was both admired and feared by the Union troops they fought against. As the author noted; even when the Confederacy was in its last months; the regiment remained loyal to their fellow soldiers and officers within the regiment.Mr. McGowen also gives the excellent history of the various battles the regiment fought in and the areas they were encamped in such as the swamps of Louisiana; the Red River Valley and patrolling the Gulf Coast of Texas and the Rio Grande River. The regiment participated in the Red River Campaign which was successful against the Union Army invading Texas and was in other battles and campaigns which the author describes in fascinating detail.For many decades the exploits of this great regiment remained largely unknown except for those who were in the regiment and those in certain areas of Texas; however; Mr. McGowen did a great service by writing this great history of the regiment and with the passage of time and the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War years; the outstanding history of this outstanding regiment that fought for the Confederacy and the State of Texas is becoming well known. This is an EXCELLENT book about this brave regiment that was the first to fight for Texas during the Civil War and is highly recommended for those who want to know more about Confederate Cavalry history; the Western Theater of the Civil War; Texas History and Civil War History. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!19 of 19 people found the following review helpful. Excellent book on the history of the 1st Texas CavalryBy Karl-Josef SchmeinkCongratulations to Stanley S. MacGowen for this excellent book. I most enjoyed reading it. It gives the most complete and detailed overview on the history; the leaders; and the horsemen of the 1st Confedarate Texas Cavalry Regiment (also known as the First Texas Mounted Rifles). The book covers the regimental history from the time the regiment was raised by Colonel Henry McCulloch to defend Texas frontiers against indian warriors over the time the regiment was part of the Confederate Armee under the Colonels Augustus Carl Buchel and William Overall Yager until the end of the Civil War. Even being not correct at some details such as the origin of Colonel William O. Yager (Yager was not a German immigrant. He was born in Viriginia and graduated at the Virginia Miliraty Institute) the book has a high value to all interested in the History of Texas and the War between the States.Karl-J. Schmeink; Kiel; Germany EMail: Karl-Josef.Schmeink@1st-Texas-Cavalry.de
