A dark odyssey full of cliffhangers and revelations, this epic family story investigates one of history's most troubling and triumphant eras through a deeply personal lens.

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In 2013, journalist Suzanne Rico gets the call. Her mother, Gabriele, is dying. As time ticks down, Gabriele reveals an unfinished memoir about her World War II childhood—and makes a daunting last request: “Finish what I started.” When Suzanne and her sister, Stephanie, dive into their mother’s turbulent past, they come face to face with the truth of their own ancestry for the first time, including mind blowing mysteries that swirl around inventor Robert Lusser—their grandfather—and his work for the Third Reich. As they struggle to bring closure to something as intimate as a memoir, they have no idea of the revelations in store or the reckoning they will require. 

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Produced in 9 episodes, The Man Who Calculated Death takes listeners from 1920s Germany, through World War II, and into the post war years when Robert Lusser was widowed, unemployed, broke, and on the run. This adventure through time leaves lessons in its wake that are more relevant than ever in today’s world. 

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Listen to The Man Who Calculated Death exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting

www.wondery.com/links/the-man-who-calculated-death. 

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Produced by Suzanne Rico, Jon Cryer and Lisa Joyner of Discount Sushi, and Novel.