Hunting Eichmann, by Neal Bascomb, is quite the intriguing thriller, and a non-fictional work that is brilliantly narrated.
In recounting the historical facts that led up to the capture of Eichmann, Bascomb left no detail or event untouched. His research is more than extremely thorough, and through his own travels to unearth anything and everything regarding the capture, including documents, interviews, articles, archives, etc., he has fashioned a narration that reads like a spy novel.
In fact, Hunting Eichmann is infused with spy material that will leave you amazed and astounded. From CIA records to Mossad agents, from worldwide indiffference to the Nazi underground in Argentina, to the El Al flight, the trial, the sentence and execution, and so much more, the historical information is incredible. I was totally engrossed in the book from page one. A thriller it is in every aspect.
How Eichmann was tracked, and how the plan to capture him was plotted is an amazing feat, and Bascomb reveals it all to the reader, without mincing words or leaving out clues. The fortitude, energy and extreme planning that it took to finally get Eichmann in Israeli hands, is basically the same fortitude, energy and planning used by Bascomb to convey the entire story to the reader.
There were many who thought it would never happen, and understandably so. There were the skeptics, those who thought that the issues should just die out, but there were those who felt that there needed to be justice, and justice there was. Bascomb demonstrates the journey to justice with intense clarity, through his brilliant writing and unending research.
Bascomb has done a great service in authoring Hunting Eichmann. He has brought to the forefront the incredible circumstances that led to Eichmann’s capture. Not only that, he has done it with extreme illumination through the vivid images he presents us. a href=”http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/catalog/titledetail.cfm?titleNumber=694153″>Hunting Eichmann is invaluable as an educational and historical documentation of Eichmann’s capture and execution. Neal Bascomb should be applauded for his incredible efforts, brilliant writing, and perseverance to convey the entire process, from day one through the finale. It is historical writing at its finest. It is story that doesn’t soon leave the reader
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Monday November 2, 2009 – 15th of Cheshvan, 5770





great review – and i agree, it was excellent. i couldn’t put it down, it really read like a spy novel. and i knew how it would end!!!! (now that’s some good storytelling – when you know the ending but still feel like you’re on the edge of your seat!)
By: phyllis on November 2, 2009
at 10:23 am
Phyllis: I agree with all you say. Yes, knowing the ending had nothing to do with the gripping and intense story Bascomb told.
By: jewwishes on November 2, 2009
at 1:02 pm
Remember the day that the news Eichmann had been captured and was in Israel broke? My (then) husband and I broke down and cried.
HOW they did it remains incredible and indeed is very much like a very, very good thriller … but catch him they did!
By: Deborah Rey on November 2, 2009
at 10:57 am
Deborah: Indeed, I remember, well, and capture him they did. Amazing.
By: jewwishes on November 2, 2009
at 1:03 pm
This book sounds captivating. Thanks for another great review Jewwishes.
By: ilanadavita on November 2, 2009
at 4:26 pm
Ilana: Thank you. It is captivating.
By: jewwishes on November 3, 2009
at 2:36 pm
Wow, sounds stunning!
By: Marie on November 3, 2009
at 7:19 am
Marie: It is.
By: jewwishes on November 3, 2009
at 2:34 pm
This is a book that I must add to my reading list.
I have missed reading your blog. It’s so good to be back.
Melissa
By: Melissa on November 3, 2009
at 1:10 pm
It’s good to see you, Melissa.
This book is amazing.
By: jewwishes on November 3, 2009
at 2:33 pm
I am always amazed how you can review a book so well. You do have a talent for it! Each time I read one of your reviews I feel like reading the book myself and I do not normally even read thrillers!
By: carra on November 5, 2009
at 5:08 am
Thank you, Carra. I normally don’t read thrillers, either.
By: jewwishes on November 10, 2009
at 3:53 pm