Hemming Henry Book order

The riveting story of how the death of a spy in the IRA led to the biggest murder investigation in British history.

The extraordinary story of a propaganda campaign like no other: the covert British operation to manipulate American public opinion and bring America into the Second World War.

The fascinating, improbable true story of Maxwell Knight--the great MI5 spymaster and inspiration for the James Bond character M. Maxwell Knight was perhaps the greatest spymaster in history. He did more than anyone in his era to combat the rising threat of fascism in Britain during World War II, in spite of his own history inside this movement. He was also truly eccentric--a thrice-married jazz aficionado who kept a menagerie of exotic pets--and almost totally unqualified for espionage. Yet he had a gift for turning practically anyone into a fearless secret agent. Knight's work revolutionized British intelligence, pioneering the use of female agents, among other accomplishments. In telling Knight's remarkable story, Agent M also reveals for the first time in print the names and stories of some of the men and women recruited by Knight, on behalf of MI5, who were asked to infiltrate the country's most dangerous political organizations. Drawing on a vast array of original sources, Agent M reveals not only the story of one of the world's greatest intelligence operators, but the sacrifices and courage required to confront fascism during a nation's darkest time.

Maxwell Knight was a paradox: a jazz lover and nature enthusiast, he authored a definitive guide on gorilla care while becoming one of MI5's most renowned spymasters. He played a crucial role in dismantling British fascism during World War II, despite his past affiliation with the British Fascisti. Known simply as M, he was rumored to inspire the character in the James Bond series. Knight's legendary status arose from his unique talent for transforming ordinary individuals into fearless secret agents, and he was the first in MI5 to recognize the potential of female operatives. However, this narrative extends beyond Knight himself. The book unveils for the first time the identities and stories of seven men and women he recruited to infiltrate dangerous political organizations in Britain—individuals whose contributions have remained largely unknown outside MI5. Coming from diverse backgrounds, these agents led double lives, often at significant personal risk, to safeguard their country. Through declassified documents, family archives, and interviews with retired MI5 officers and agents' families, the book not only illuminates the shadowy world of espionage but also celebrates the lives of these courageous individuals and the enigmatic man at its center.