An illuminating history book that highlights the fractions within the German high command of the Second World War. It was not cohesive as many assume, and even the dictatorial powers of Hitler were not enough to stem the tide of falling morale, defection, and plotting. West explores deep into the historical sources available to trace the increasing opposition of the Abwehr to Hitler's government and military command structure as the war reached its conclusion. Documents detailing assassination attempts, defections, and even a prisoner swap are laid out in the open, as West systematically dismantles old conclusions and assumptions about the Abwehr. This will likely remain the standard text on the Abwehr for many years to come.