Reinhard Heydrich Nine Months Riechsprotector

Book excerpt: Since his assassination in June 1942, the former Reich Protector, Chief of the Secret State Police and Security Service has been responsible for every outrage. In the so-called war crimes trials, the defendants blamed him for everything and everything. The man could not fight back. The author has made extensive trips to the sites of Heydrich's activities for this brilliantly written biography. She spoke to surviving contemporary witnesses in Prague and Germany, conducted historical fieldwork and has viewed and interpreted hitherto unpublished British secret documents as well as private records of Heydrich. Due to her extensive research, she draws a completely new picture of this mysterious man. English journalists in their literary works are often said to have a pronounced narrative talent combined with a striking profession. This biography is an eloquent example of brilliant historiography without ifs and buts.