Edward Bennett Williams for the Defense

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Rudolph Hess, Hitler's deputy fuhrer, created an international sensation when, in May 1941, he stole a plane and flew to Scotland in a solo attempt to negotiate a peace agreement with the British. Taken captive, he was incarcerated for the remaining 46 years of his life, the last 21 as sole occupant of Spandau Prison. The German author argues that Hess played a significant role in shaping Hitler's attitudes during the early years of the Nazi Party; that he virtually coauthored Mein Kampf; that the fuhrer was aware of his plans to fly to the British Isleseven though he later discredited the flight, and Hess himself, as ``insane.'' Drawing on sources that include Hess's widow and a former Spandau staff member, plus Hess's prison letters, Schwarzwaller draws a convincing portrait. A psychologically needy individual who found a long-sought father substitute, Hess, according to the author, developed a wide range of psychosomatic illnesses as a way of dealing with his disappointment and anger over Hitler's subsequent behavior. Photos not seen by PW. $50,000 ad/promo. (June)

Library Journal

A competent effort to portray the life of a key Nazi whose interminable isolation at Spandau Prison cast lengthening shadows over his secret mission to England and his real attitudes towards Hitler, the Nazis, and the Jews. Hitler's deputy emerges here as one who worshiped the Fuhrer but seemed a kinder, more dignified individual than the other high-ranking officials. While the book adequately covers its subject from his birth in Egypt (1894) until his death at Spandau (1987), there is little effort to supply documentation and too much reliance on the testimony of anonymous sources. With few English alternatives available, this book is recommendedespecially for public libraries. Mark R. Yerburgh, Trinity Coll. Lib., Burlington, Vt.