Mossad Sends In The Good Assassin to Catch The Butcher of Latvia with Author Stephan Talty

Latvian Aviator Hubert Cukurs was a popular figure before WWII, but the Charles Lindbergh of Latvia would soon become the Butcher of Latvia responsible for the murder of some 30,000 Latvian Jews. Somehow, he dodged the Nuremberg trials, and fleed to South America after war’s end.  In 1965, with the improbable German war crimes statute of limitations about to expire, the Mossad mobilized their own ace and master spy - Jacob “Mio” Meidad, a brilliant agent who’d already helped kidnap Adolf Eichmann three years prior.  Citing his thorough research, author Stephan Talty describes this incredible operation in which Meidad traveled to Brazil in disguise to befriend Cukurs, gain his trust, and bring the nazi collaborator to justice. 

STEPHAN TALTY is the best-selling author of  The Black Hand,  Agent Garbo, and A Captain’s Duty.  His books have been made into two films, the Oscar-winning  Captain Phillips  and Only the Brave.  He’s written for many publications, including the New York Times Magazine, GQ, and Playboy.  He lives outside New York City.  Talty’s book The Good Assassin  is available now.  Episode 039

The Good Assassin, Stephan Talty

Rise and Kill First, Ronen Bergman

Haaretz Review of The Good Assassin

STEPHANTALTY.COM

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