The Strange Death of Heinrich Himmler

On 22 May 1945, in the immediate aftermath of World War II, the Allies celebrated the capture of the most important member of the Nazi hierarchy, Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler. The SS leader was arrested and interrogated but committed suicide in Allied custody by ingesting poison from a capsule concealed in his mouth. Then he was buried at a secret site on Lüneberg Heath. But Himmler did not rest in peace, if Himmler it was who was buried there.

Months later the British disinterred, re-examined, and cremated his body. Yet in 1946 MI6's most talented, if treacherous, agent, Kim Philby, was still not convinced that the story of Himmler's death made any sense at all. Philby realized that a man of Himmler's organizational genius, a plotter of great intricacy and sophistication who recognized Germany's inevitable defeat as early as 1943, was unlikely to have just blundered into the arms of the Allies. What really happened?

Hugh Thomas set out to answer Philby's question and uncovered a maze of corruption, high finance, political gambles, and international intrigue. The Strange Death of Heinrich Himmler unearths not just Himmler's grave, but reveals secrets that have long remained buried, and shadowy figures who would rather stay that way.

ISBN-13: 9780312289232
Author : Hugh Thomas
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication date: 03/22/2002

Editorial Reviews - Library Journal

Himmler, the most important member of the Nazi leadership to be captured by the Allies, was reported to have committed suicide on May 23, 1945, while in British custody. Thomas questions the facts and makes a strong case for doubting the report. The body examined by British military authorities may not have been Himmler's, and there seems to be sufficient reason to suspect a cover-up. The carefully presented case is based on thorough research in the surviving documents and interviews with some of the people originally involved. No definite conclusions can be reached, however.

Some crucial evidence has apparently disappeared, and other items will not be made public until the year 2045. The writing is generally clear and easy to follow, even with the great amount of detail presented. The author is an experienced forensic investigator who understands how to use the available facts and the importance of not jumping to conclusions. This is a worthy book for fans of Thomas's Murder of Adolph Hitler (1996). For public and academic libraries with strong World War II collections. Edward Gibson, Lincoln Univ. Lib., PA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Meet the Author

Hugh Thomas is a surgeon and forensic expert of international repute. His first book, The Murder of Rudolf Hess, caused a worldwide furor. His second book, Hess: A Tale of Two Murders, precipitated a six-month Scotland Yard inquiry which saw its report immediately suppressed. His most recent book, The Murder of Adolf Hitler, was published in nine different countries.