Loved this book. Lots of interesting information to digest. This is a great read for anyone who loves to read about history. Very well written

The figure of Albert Speer is fascinating, as the man undoubtedly was. One of the few Nazi hierarchs who escaped capital punishment at the Nuremberg trials, thanks to his having always remained a civilian, which allowed him to make people believe that he had always been in the dark about the Reich's crimes, and therefore to die peacefully in his bed (or rather, in that of his lover). This sometimes boring and often repetitive book, however, made particularly credible by the kind of relationship that existed between the author and Speer himself at the time of his imprisonment in Spandau, brings to light a different Speer, a poker player who was able to save his life through his charm and a castle of lies.

Well written and plenty of detail. But this man is just Evil (Speer not the author). Knowing what he did and nonplussingly denying any responsibility. While I enjoy reading these types of books to further my history knowledge, they will forever make me angry for the lives lost.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

This book is likely to be of interest to anyone interested in the history of the Second World War. A world of warning, though - Dr Greaves’s book covers some ground that is covered well in many other books addressing aspects of the Second World War. For this reader, at least, the inclusion of a section on the rise of the Nazi party and its eventual seizure of power through ‘democratic’ means and the lengthy description of the Nuremberg trials tend to divert focus from the author’s case concerning Speer’s unacknowledged involvement in the crimes of the Nazi senior leadership. The occasional repetition in the various timelines provided by the author could also have been usefully addressed through sharper editing. Nevertheless, this book plays an important role in establishing the likely truth over the ‘real’ Albert Speer. Readers who have seen the documentaries that included contributions by Speer after his release from prison, or read any of his books about his role may feel that the author gives Speer a hard time. His apparent urbane exterior revealed in his contributions to documentaries and his writing sits oddly with the image portrayed by Dr Greaves. However, history seems to have settled on a view of Speer that recognises his guilt at a level beyond that determined at Nuremberg and this book serves to reinforce that judgment. Where this book is different and offers real insights is the way in which the author weaves together the fruits of his many conversations with Speer alongside his own story of his time in Germany.

Author and historian Adrian Greaves published the book “Albert Speer – Escaping the Gallows: Secret Conversations with Hitler's Top Nazi” in 2021. Mr. Greaves has authored or co-authored more than a dozen books. This latest book has just been released.

I categorize this book as ‘G’. The book tells the story of Albert Speer, Hitler’s Architect and the German Minister of Armaments. The book goes through Speer’s early life and the growth of the Nazi party. It sheds a different light on Speer. The author was a newly commissioned British Army Lieutenant when he met Speer. Greaves' first assignment in 1961 was as one of the Guard Commanders at Spandau prison. He served three years in that post. While serving there Greaves became acquainted with Speer sharing many long conversations. The book is a combination of those conversations and other historical data.

At one time Adolf Hitler considered Speer a close confidant. Speer had joined the Nazi party in 1931. He became Hitler's favorite architect. He was later appointed as Minister of Armaments in 1942. He had somewhat fallen out of favor by the end of the war. The leading figures of Nazi Germany were tried at Nuremberg after the war. Unlike the others, Speer escaped execution earning only a 20-year sentence. He maintained his innocence of war crimes. He claimed that he had known nothing about the Holocaust and other atrocities

Speer repeated these claims to the author and throughout the rest of his life. Speer was released from Spandau in 1966 having served his full 20-year sentence. In the years after his release, he wrote three books. Two were autobiographical books while the other was about Himmler and the SS. After Speer’s death in 1981 evidence began to surface linking Speer to the Holocaust.

I enjoyed the 6 hours I spent reading this 192-page WWII history. I had of course heard about Speer, but I learned a great deal more about him from this book. He appears to have been very smart and cunning. The story rambles along at times, but I found it interesting. I do like the selected cover art. I give this book a 4 out of 5.

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An interesting look at the life and times of the number 2 man in Nazi Germany. The story was well done, and took the time to explain all of the politics behind the scenes. I found this book to be informative from a historical perspective.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.