In Plain Sight: Felix A. Sommerfeld, Spymaster in Mexico, 1908 to 1914

LibraryThing Review

For years I have hoped that someone would disentangle Sommerfeld’s role in the Mexican Revolution. You have done that and much more – utilizing a most impressive range of archival sources. “In Plain ... Vollständige Rezension lesen

This current work is not only a must-read for people interested in history but also highly recommended for those who like to get a glimpse into the causes and motives of human activity and historical events. In a brilliant style the author takes the reader on a trip back in time, where he illuminates the relationships between Mexico, the United States, and Germany in a new approach not seen until now. As the author writes, „This book is not designed to provide a complete recollection of the causes and course of the Mexican Revolution.” Instead he describes a man, whose „ name appears in almost every work on the Mexican Revolution“, Felix A. Sommerfeld.
Through minute correlation, and analysis of original archival sources, some of which had never been used before, the author succeeds in painting the picture of a man, who grew to become the „most influential“ and „most effective“ spymaster. He succeeded in tying together „Mexican, German and US interests“ in an inimitable way. Von Feilitzsch proves beyond doubt that Sommerfeld had a complicated and peculiar character. He was conservative, yet had „no ethical problems with giving information to Germany…his intelligence was instrumental in changing German attitudes and foreign policy.“ He thirsted for power and influence, collected information and used it according to his own discretion. Consequently, he built Mexico’s secret service, which was so effective that parts of the organization became absorbed into the FBI.
As a German agent working on behalf of the Mexican revolutionaries, his activities coincided with the interests of the US and German governments. Using this knowledge Sommerfeld succeeded in manipulating everyone around him. As a result it came as no surprise that Sommerfeld through the network of his connections in America, Germany and Mexico finally „became the highest placed German agent in North of America.“
This short summary alone should create curiosity about reading the whole, over 400 page manuscript. Most impressive in addition to the story is the use of the sources. Rarely has it been possible to document motivation of secret agents in such detail and so accurately. This fact alone pays tribute to the author and makes this work so significant.
Prof. Dr. Guenter Koehler, Emeritus Humboldt Universität Berlin