Synopses & Reviews
In his previous books Unexplained Mysteries of World War II, Undercover Tales of World War II, and Top Secret Tales of World War II, William Breuer revealed the riveting untold stories of the Second World War, tales of derring-do, espionage, and unsung heroism that few history books record. Now, in Secret Weapons of World War II, this first-class historian chronicles the clandestine battle that occurred between the brilliant scientists and codebreakers of the Allies and the Axis powers.
Here are the extraordinary tales behind the ingenious weapons and technological wizardry that determined the outcome of the war. From radar, huff-duff (high frequency direction finding), invisible radio beams, and "Perfectos" to secret codes, electronic guidance systems, homing devices, and submarine detection equipment, Breuer deftly exposes the gargantuan efforts employed by both adversaries and the fascinating details of the high-stakes warfare waged behind the well-known scenes of combat.
Re-creating the covert missions, plots, hoaxes, spying, conspiracies, and electronic sleuthing, Breuer goes beyond the famous military leaders and statesmen to give an entirely fresh and startling perspective of the Second World War. He deftly uncovers all the spectacular feats of those who determined the outcome of the climactic struggle of the twentieth centurythe brilliant codebreakers, scientists, and mathematiciansto provide an unprecedented look at the least-known operations and plots conducted by both sides. In Secret Weapons of World War II, you will:
- Attend the midnight meeting where Winston Churchill, desperate and waving a cigar for emphasis, launched the idea for a pet weapons projecta gigantic mousetrap in the sky that would snare Luftwaffe bombers.
- Meet the young genius Reginald Jones, a member of the British Secret Service and the scientist who hatched Operation Jay, an intricate hoax that bamboozled German scientists and ended Germanys devastating long-range bombing campaign.
- Shadow former American schoolteacher Frank Rowlett as he and his small team of scientists crack the Japanese diplomatic code called Purple, now known as the greatest success in the history of United States intelligence.
- Witness the curious-looking truck known as the "secret weapon that was shipped in from Mars" that later played a crucial role in the outcome of the war.
Packed with more than seventy riveting tales, Secret Weapons of World War II displays Breuers signature blend of dynamic storytelling and meticulous detail. Vivid, fast-paced, and suspenseful, this engrossing volume captures the human drama of the men and womenmany as eccentric as they were brilliantwho raced to beat the enemy to the discoveries that turned the tide of war.
Review
Once again scouring his seemingly inexhaustible personal archives, as well as public sources, popular historian Breuer has produced yet another collection of rip-roaring tales. With more than 20 books to his credit, Breuer (
Unexplained Mysteries of World War II, etc.) employs a formulaic presentation of enticingly named stories- "Supersecret Station X," "A Plan to Poison the German Food Supply," among them - in short, punchy chapters grouped by theme. Written out of passion for its subject, this book reads like good pulp. "Bright Ideas for Winning the War" discloses some of the ludicrous battle tactics proposed by well-meaning armchair generals. "History's First Nuclear Spy," Walter Koehler, turns out to be not a double agent, but a triple. "Treachery at Los Alamos" shows how a box of Jell-O played a role in helping a network of spies steal nuclear secrets from the United States on behalf of the Soviet Union. A few of the stories hang unfinished; "Hitler Orders Lethal Gas Assault," but we never find out where the gas ends up after the attack is aborted. Still, this is a delightful addition to the niche that Breuer has so successfully carved out.
--Publishers Weekly
September 18, 2000
Synopsis
A fascinating look at the behind-the-scenes duel to develop the winning weapons of World War II
What most people dont realize is that the decisive factor in the outcome of the Second World War wasnt the brilliance of the famous Allied military leaders and statesmen. As noted military historian William Breuer proves in this ingenious volume, victory or defeat in the twentieth centurys climactic conflict depended on the secret war of wits that occurred between the scientists, mathematicians, and codebreakers on each side.
In Secret Weapons of World War II, we learn about these fascinating figures, many of whom have thus far gone unnoticed in historys telling of the tale, including:
Sergeant C. W. H. Cox, the son of a postman and a former actressand the least likely candidate to perform the centurys most audacious heist . . .
Wernher von Braun, a German technical director who helped mastermind the revolutionary supersonic rocket that threatened to bring England to her knees . . .
Walther Koehler, historys first nuclear spy, who brilliantly ferreted out the secrets of Americas atomic experiments . . .
Critical acclaim for William B. Breuers Top Secret Tales of World War II
"As evidenced time and again by the prolific Breuer, WWII continues to be a source of absorbing espionage tale. . . . This is a book for rainy days and long solitary nights by the fire. If there were a genre for cozy nonfiction, this would be the template." Publishers Weekly
"A book perfect for the curious and adventure readers and those who love exotic tales and especially history buffs who will be surprised at what they didnt know. Recommended for nearly everyone." Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
Critical Acclaim for Secret Weapons of World War II
"Breuer has produced yet another collection of rip-roaring tales. . . . A delightful addition to the niche that Breuer has so successfully carved out."
-Publishers Weekly
"It is Breuer's portrayal of the competition for technological superiority between the Allies and the Nazis that grabs the reader and shows the significance of each wartime discovery and invention."
-State Journal-Register, Springfield, Illinois
In the fast-paced, suspenseful Secret Weapons of World War II, noted military historian William Breuer chronicles the clandestine battle that occurred between the brilliant scientists and codebreakers of the Allies and the Axis powers. Re-creating the covert missions, hoaxes, spying, conspiracies, and electronic sleuthing, Breuer deftly uncovers the spectacular feats of the fascinating men and women who determined the outcome of the war-providing an unprecedented look at the least-known operations and plots conducted by both sides.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 225-233) and index.
About the Author
WILLIAM B. BREUER is the critically acclaimed author of twenty-six military history books, including Unexplained Mysteries of World War II, Top Secret Tales of World War II, Undercover Tales of World War II, Vendetta!: Castro and the Kennedy Brothers, and Shadow Warriors: The Covert War in Korea. Ten of his books have been main selections of the Military Book Club, including The Great Raid on Cabanatuan and MacArthurs Undercover War.
Table of Contents
Partial table of contents:
WAR BREAKS OUT.
German Invention Triggers Global Search.
Stealing America's Radar Secrets.
Charles Lindbergh Helps the "Moon Man".
An American Aids Japanese Nuclear Project.
A Hassle with British Bureaucrats.
Conjuring Up Wild Theories.
GREAT BRITAIN STANDS ALONE.
A Nation's Survival at Stake.
A Little Black Box of Secrets.
A Huge Mousetrap in the Sky.
Enigma Betrays the Italian Fleet.
Code Names Rebecca and Eureka.
England's "Kamikaze" Pilots.
THRUST AND COUNTERTHRUST.
Could Pearl Harbor Have Been Avoided?
The British Invade Washington.
The Century's Most Audacious Heist.
A Secret Move to a Secret Site.
A Nuclear Laboratory Explodes.
A Gathering of "Luminaries".
TURNING OF THE TIDE.
A Spectacular Rocket Feat.
Stealing German Weather Forecasts.
"I Fear We Are in the Soup!"
A Burglar Alarm at Gibraltar.
Feuds among Nazi Bigwigs.
A Plan to Poison the German Food Supply.
Bouncing Bombs and Dambusters.
BEGINNING OF THE END.
Protecting a Sacred Secret.
A Triumph for German Cryptanalysts.
"You Scare Hell Out of Me!"
A Soviet Plot Fizzles.
Hitler Counts on Wonder Weapons.
A Trainload of German Brainpower.
Japan's Secret Weapons Await Invasion.
Treachery at Los Alamos.
Notes and Sources.
Index.