"In 1933, Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany. A year later, all political parties but the Nazis had been outlawed, freedom of the press was but a memory, and Hitler's dominance seemed complete. Yet over the next few years, an unlikely clutch of conspirators emerged--soldiers, schoolteachers, politicians, diplomats, theologians, even a carpenter--who would try repeatedly to end the Fuhrer's genocidal reign. This dramatic book tells the full story of those noble, ingenious, and doomed efforts. This is history at its most suspenseful, as we witness secret midnight meetings, crises of conscience, fierce debates among old friends about whether and how to dismantle Nazism, and the various plots themselves being devised and executed. Orbach's fresh research takes advantage of his singular skills as a linguist and historian to offer profound insight into the conspirators' methods, motivations, fears, and hopes. Though we know how this story ends, we've had no idea until now how close it came--several times--to ending very differently. The Plots Against Hitler fundamentally alters our view of World War II and sheds bright--even redemptive--light on its darkest days."--Dust jacket. "A new and definitive account of the anti-Nazi underground in Germany and its numerous plots to assassinate Adolf Hitler"-- Provided by publisher.

"An Eamon Dolan book."

Opposition in flames -- "That damned mare!" : the army top-brass scandal -- The officer, the mayor and the spy -- "In the darkest colors" : the decision of General Beck -- The bird and its cage : first attempt at coup d'état, September 1938 -- Without a network : the lone assassin -- The point of no return : pogrom and war -- The spirit of Zossen : when networks fail -- Signs in the darkness : rebuilding the conspiracy -- On the wings of thought : networks of imagination -- Brokers on the front line : the new strategy -- War of extermination : the conspirators and the Holocaust -- "Flash" and liqueur bottles : assassination attempts in the East -- Codename U-7 : rescue and abyss -- Count Stauffenberg : the charismatic turn -- Thou shalt kill : the problem of tyrannicide -- A wheel conspiracy : the Stauffenberg Era -- The final showdown : July 20, 1944 -- The shirt of Nessus -- Motives in the twilight -- Networks of resistance.