MWSA Review

Money Eater is an account of a minor but still important person in pre-war Hawaii. It is an outstanding overview of a person who could have been a dangerous spy if he hadn't been such a lazy grifter. The book is well documented and deserves a place on my book shelf. It is a short book, which leaves one feeling like there could be more: more information on his son in Germany; more about his wife, step daughter and son’s activities in Hawaii; and at least some information on his exile in Argentina after the war until his return to Germany. But it’s a very good history of a man who managed to pocket quite a bit of money from Germany and Japan. It is easy to dislike Kuehn, not for his espionage activities but for his "playing" spy while supplying no real tangible intelligence. I'll definitely be thumbing through this again. My only complaints are the photos could be larger and a map of his area of operations would be helpful.

Review by John Ira Russell (June 2020)

Author's Synopsis

The Money Eater exposes the depth of Japan’s espionage effort before the Pearl Harbor attack. Sleeper agent Bernard Otto Kuehn, uses his children and hides the truth from his gullible wife for money and ill-begotten fame.  Take a journey into America’s past and into the heart of a narcissist.

ISBN/ASIN: B07R8R7MVT,1072957647
Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle
Review Genre: Nonfiction—History
Number of Pages: 95