Hitler in Los Angeles

How Jews and Their Spies Foiled Nazi Plots Against Hollywood and America

By: Steve Ross

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

The chilling, little-known story of the rise of Nazism in Los Angeles, and the Jewish leaders and spies they recruited who stopped it.

No American city was more important to the Nazis than Los Angeles, home to Hollywood, the greatest propaganda machine in the world. The Nazis plotted to kill the city's Jews and to sabotage the nation's military installations: plans existed for hanging 20 prominent Hollywood figures such as Al Jolson, Charlie Chaplin, and Samuel Goldwyn; for driving through Boyle Heights and machine-gunning as many Jews as possible; and for blowing up defense installations and seizing munitions from National Guard armories along the Pacific Coast.

US law enforcement agencies were not paying close attention - preferring to monitor Reds rather than Nazis - and only Leon Lewis and his daring ring of spies stood in the way. From 1933 until the end of World War II, attorney Leon Lewis, the man Nazis would come to call "the most dangerous Jew in Los Angeles", ran a spy operation comprised of military veterans and their wives who infiltrated every Nazi and fascist group in Los Angeles. Often rising to leadership positions, this daring ring of spies uncovered and foiled the Nazis' disturbing plans for death and destruction.

Featuring a large cast of Nazis, undercover agents, and colorful supporting players, Hitler in Los Angeles, by acclaimed historian Steven J. Ross, tells the story of Lewis's daring spy network in a time when hate groups had moved from the margins to the mainstream.

©2017 Steven J. Ross (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

straight forward presentation, factual not flowery, good narration.

loved the story line, factual but not so deep you can't follow the progression

This history needs more attention

In this day and age where we entertain so much division in the US, books like this should be on the shelves and in the data bases of every library. Fascist are in all parts of our governments and present an ever present danger to this nation and the world. We must remain vigilant against hate.

An American Prelude To War: Hitler In Los Angeles

As a youngster in Southern California in the 1970s I was astonished to find an extensive set of German propaganda magazines, in an English-language edition, on sale at a weekend flea market. I'd long known about the undertones of racism and anti-Semitism on the West Coast, but THIS discovery pointed to active attempts at subversion by organized Nazi converts. HITLER IN LOS ANGELES tells the story of Jewish activism in the face of such unnerving German infiltration, and of the civilian spy operation which infiltrated American Nazi groups (at considerable risk to themselves and their families). Lawyer and impromptu spymaster Leon Lewis recruited willing Christian volunteers to his growing organization, covering activities which the FBI and American law-enforcement either dismissed or underestimated. A long-running 'shadow war' developed, one which continued unabated right up to America's sudden entry into World War Two. Enthralling, and well-narrated by Peter Berkrot.

A unique, remarkable and impactful history

I am not certain what I expected but this book and content and performance exceeded my expectations completely. I had no idea the Nazis were so successful in penetrating the major cities of the United States using German immigrants and American citizens to convey their antisemitism and desire to subvert the United States. At times it was hard to believe this was a true story. There are hundreds of villains and dozens of remarkable heroes. If you have any interest even a passing interest in this era I strongly urge you to read this book and or listen to it

Jaw dropping

Amazing story of Nazis in Los Angeles and the brave folks who defeated them. I was appalled at the numbers and influence the Nazis had here. Now we’re dealing with the same crowd but all over the country and holding great power in the government.