Ben Macintyre Books

If anyone could be considered a Russian counterpart to the infamous British double-agent Kim Philby, it was Oleg Gordievsky. The son of two KGB agents and the product of the best Soviet institutions, the savvy, sophisticated Gordievsky grew to see his nation's communism as both criminal and philistine. He took his first posting for Russian intelligence in 1968 and eventually became the Soviet Union's top man in London, but from 1973 on he was secretly working for MI6. For nearly a decade, as the Cold War reached its twilight, Gordievsky helped the West turn the tables on the KGB, exposing Russian spies and helping to foil countless intelligence plots, as the Soviet leadership grew increasingly paranoid at the United States's nuclear first-strike capabilities and brought the world closer to the brink of war. Desperate to keep the circle of trust close, MI6 never revealed Gordievsky's name to its counterparts in the CIA, which in turn grew obsessed with figuring out the identity of Britain's obviously top-level source. Their obsession ultimately doomed Gordievsky: the CIA officer assigned to identify him was none other than Aldrich Ames, the man who would become infamous for secretly spying for the Soviets.

From the secret SAS archives, and acclaimed author Ben Macintyre: the first ever authorized history of the SAS 'Impeccably researched, superbly told - by far the best book on the SAS in World War II' - Antony Beevor In the summer of 1941, at the height of the war in the Western Desert, a bored and eccentric young officer, David Stirling, came up with a plan that was radical and entirely against the rules: a small undercover unit that would inflict mayhem behind enemy lines. Despite intense opposition, Winston Churchill personally gave Stirling permission to recruit the toughest, brightest and most ruthless soldiers he could find. So began the most celebrated and mysterious military organisation in the world: the SAS. Now, 75 years later, the SAS has finally decided to tell its astonishing story. It has opened its secret archives for the first time, granting historian Ben Macintyre full access to a treasure trove of unseen reports, memos, diaries, letters, maps and photographs, as well as free rein to interview surviving Originals and those who knew them. The result is an exhilarating tale of fearlessness and heroism, recklessness and tragedy; of extraordinary men who were willing to take monumental risks. It is a story about the meaning of courage.

**NOW A MAJOR SIX-PART SERIES ON ITVX, STARRING DAMIAN LEWIS AND GUY PEARCE**A SUNDAY TIMES No. 1 BESTSELLERWITH AN AFTERWORD BY JOHN LE CARRÉ'Riveting, astounding ... An unputdownable postwar thriller' Observer'Irresistibly readable' Sunday Times'Worthy of John le Carré at his best' Guardian'Hugely engrossing ... Both authoritative and enthralling' William Boyd________________Kim Philby was the most notorious British defector and Soviet mole in history. Agent, double agent, charmer and traitor, he betrayed every secret of Allied operations to the Russians in the early years of the Cold War. In the aftermath of the Second World War, Philby, Nicholas Elliott and James Jesus Angleton were rising stars in the intelligence world and shared every secret. Elliott and Angleton thought they knew Philby better than anyone - and then discovered they had not known him at all.This is a story of loyalty, trust and treachery, class and conscience, of male friendships forged, and then systematically betrayed. With access to newly released MI5 files and previously unseen papers, A Spy Among Friends unlocks what is perhaps the last great secret of the Cold War.

Renowned for his expertise in true-life espionage narratives, the author delves into captivating stories of intelligence and intrigue. With a keen eye for detail and a gripping writing style, he explores the complexities of espionage, revealing the human elements behind covert operations. His work stands out for its thorough research and compelling storytelling, making it a must-read for enthusiasts of real-world spy tales.

A gripping tale of loyalty, love, treachery, espionage, and the thin and shifting line between fidelity and betrayal.

In a forbidding Gothic castle on a hilltop in the heart of Nazi Germany, an unlikely band of British officers spent the Second World War plotting daring escapes from their German captors. Or so the story of Colditz has gone, unchallenged for 70 years. But that tale contains only part of the truth. The astonishing inside story, revealed for the first time by bestselling historian Ben Macintyre, is a tale of the indomitable human spirit, but also one of class conflict, homosexuality, espionage, insanity and farce. Through an astonishing range of material, Macintyre reveals a remarkable cast of characters, wider than previously seen and hitherto hidden from history, taking in prisoners and captors who were living cheek-by-jowl in a thrilling game of cat and mouse. From the elitist members of the Colditz Bullingdon Club to America's oldest paratrooper and least successful secret agent, the soldier-prisoners of Colditz were courageous and resilient as well as vulnerable and fearful -- and astonishingly imaginative in their desperate escape attempts. Deeply researched and full of incredible human stories, this is the definitive book on Colditz.

From the bestselling author of Agent Zigzag. The thrilling true story of the greatest and most successful wartime deception ever attemptedA Richard & Judy Book Club selection

The international bestselling author reveals one of the last great untold spy stories of the twentieth century—the woman hidden in plain sight who set the stage for the Cold War. In the quiet English village of Great Rollright in 1942, Ursula Burton appeared as a thin, elegant woman with three children and a machinist husband named Len. Friendly yet reserved, her neighbors knew little of her true identity. Unknown to them, Burton was a dedicated communist, a Soviet Colonel, and a seasoned spy with a history of operations in China, Poland, and Switzerland. They were unaware that Len was also a Soviet spy, or that she maintained a powerful radio transmitter connected to Moscow in their outhouse. In her last mission, Burton infiltrated communist spies into a top-secret American operation parachuting anti-Nazi agents into the Third Reich. Most remarkably, when she pedaled away on her bike, she was heading to meet Klaus Fuchs, a nuclear physicist involved in Britain’s atomic weapons program. Together, they gathered vital scientific secrets for the Soviet Union. Hunted by various powers, including MI5, MI6, and the FBI, Burton evaded capture and survived the brutal Soviet purges. Her story reflects the ideological clash of the twentieth century and sheds new light on contemporary spy battles. With access to her intelligence files, the author presents a thrilling secret history of a landmark agent who altered the course of the Cold W

The untold story of Eddie Chapman, Britain's most extraordinary wartime double agent.

The amazing tale of a resourceful and unscrupulous early-19th-century American adventurer who forges his own kingdom in the wilds of Afghanistan.

TOP SECRET! Ben Macintyre, acclaimed author of Agent Zigzag, presents a thrilling history of wartime espionage that surpasses even the most daring tales. Set in Europe in 1941, this gripping narrative involves love, deception, and remarkable characters, all contributing to a pivotal moment in the Second World War. Macintyre's extensive research included access to MI5, MI6, and FBI files, as well as a trove of documents hidden in Oxford since 1945. The story unfolds on an April morning in 1943 when a British soldier's corpse was discovered off the Spanish coast, igniting a chain of events that would alter the war's trajectory. This operation, known as Mincemeat, stands as the most successful wartime deception ever executed. It misled Nazi intelligence, redirecting German forces and saving countless lives by employing an unconventional secret agent—one who was deceased. Conceived by an eccentric RAF officer and a brilliant barrister, the elaborate hoax featured an eclectic cast, including a forensic pathologist, a gold prospector, a submarine captain, and a transvestite spymaster. With creativity and cunning, Churchill's spies wove a web of deceit so intricate that they began to believe it themselves. The deception originated in a basement beneath Whitehall, traversing from London to Spain, ultimately landing on Hitler's desk.

In his celebrated bestsellers, Ben Macintyre explores remarkable WWII stories, including a double agent and a corpse used to deceive the Nazis. In this latest work, he unveils the untold story of the grand final deception of the war and the extraordinary spies behind it. On June 6, 1944, 150,000 Allied troops landed on Normandy's beaches, achieving a remarkably low casualty rate. This military success was also a masterclass in deception. Operation Fortitude and the Double Cross system misled the Nazis into believing the Allies would attack at Calais and Norway instead of Normandy. This sophisticated operation kept an entire German army occupied, saving countless lives and securing an Allied victory at a crucial moment. While D-Day has often been recounted through the eyes of soldiers and generals, this narrative focuses on the key figures in the Double Cross System. These include a brilliant intelligence officer, MI5 handlers, and five unique spies: a Serbian playboy, a Polish pilot, a bisexual Peruvian, an eccentric Spaniard, and a passionate Frenchwoman. Their peculiar unit thrived on a delicate relationship with both German and British intelligence. The narrative reveals the crucial role of a sixth spy whose sacrifice was pivotal to their success. Macintyre's meticulous research and engaging storytelling bring to life the spies who ensnared Hitler’s army and ensured the safety of thousands during D-Day.

Published to coincide with the 2008 Imperial War Museum exhibition, this thrilling stand-alone book delves into the intertwined worlds of James Bond and Ian Fleming. It explores how Fleming's 007 emerged from the backdrop of the Second World War and the Cold War, reflecting both the realities and fantasies of Fleming's life as a wartime spy-master and peacetime bon viveur. The narrative examines the evolution of Bond in film for a later age and addresses the question that has fascinated fans: where does Fleming's world end, and Bond's begin? Stylishly illustrated, the book features an array of gadgets, costumes, props, and storyboards from the films, including Daniel Craig's blood-stained shirt from Casino Royale and the iconic Aston Martin DB5. It also showcases memorabilia from Fleming's life, such as his smoking jacket, the manuscript for Casino Royale, and his golden typewriter. Alongside these visuals, Ben Macintyre recounts how Fleming crafted the most popular legend of all time, reflecting on the real individuals who inspired his characters—friends, colleagues, lovers, and infamous villains. The book also explores the tradition of spy fiction, particularly during the Cold War, highlighting the remarkable legacy of the Bond books and the enduring allure of a fictional secret agent who has proven to be immortal.

Enables you to learn the advantages of having your own signature word. This title shows why the lifts in the House of Commons have posh accents. It also lets you discover the discreet art of the loophemism.

A wartime romance, survival saga and murder mystery set in rural France during the First World War. height of the fighting on the Western front in August 1914; unable to get back to their units, they shelter in the tiny French village of Villeret. Living in daily fear of capture and execution, they are fed, clothed and protected by the villagers including the local matriarch, Madame Dessenne, the baker and his wife. in love with the twenty-year-old-daughter of one of his protectors and in November 1915, with war waging a few miles away, she gives birth to a baby girl. The child is just six months old when someone betrays the men to the Germans. They are captured, tried as spies and summarily condemned to death. Using the testimonies of the daughter, the villagers, detailed town hall records and most movingly -- the soldiers' last letters -- Ben Macintyre reconstructs an extraordinarily story of love, duplicity and shame -- ultimately seeking to discover through decades of village rumour the answer to the question, 'Who betrayed Private Digby and his men?'

A riveting look into the world of James Bond and his creator.

Vom KGB-Offizier zum meistgesuchten Doppelagenten der Welt Oleg Gordijewskis Weg in den sowjetischen Geheimdienst war ihm als Sohn zweier KGB-Agenten in die Wiege gelegt. Da er Deutsch konnte, brachte ihn eine seiner ersten Anstellungen nach Berlin, wo er den Bau der Mauer hautnah mitbekam – es sollte sich als eines von vielen Ereignissen erweisen, die seinen Glauben an den Kommunismus zerrütteten. Ganz brach er mit ihm aber erst 1968, als sowjetische Truppen in Prag einmarschierten, und bot sich dem britischen MI6 als Doppelagent an. Schnell wurde er zur wichtigsten Informationsquelle für den Geheimdienst ihrer Majestät. Seine Identität wurde nicht nur vor den Sowjets geheim gehalten, auch die engsten Verbündeten tappten im Dunkeln. Etwas, was die CIA nicht auf sich sitzen lassen konnte: Sie beauftragte einen ihrer Offiziere mit der Identifizierung des Mannes. Der Offizier hieß Aldrich Ames und sollte noch zu zweifelhaftem Ruhm als sowjetischer Spion gelangen … Ben Macintyres Buch entfaltet ein Dreiecksspiel zwischen den Geheimdiensten der USA, Großbritanniens und der Sowjetunion und gipfelt in Oleg Gordijewskis fesselnder und filmreifer Flucht aus Moskau 1985. Wie ein Roman von John le Carré entführt es den Leser in eine Welt des Verrats und der Täuschung.

Der erste Amerikaner, der Afghanistan betrat, kam allein und wollte König werden. Sein Name war Josiah Harlan und er hatte Erfolg. Ben Macintyre erzählt eine Geschichte aus dem frühen 19. Jahrhundert, die wie ein Märchen klingt und doch wahr ist. Harlan war ein schillernder Abenteurer wie er im Buche steht: Soldat, Spion, Arzt, Forscher, Reisender, Pionier. Geschickt verschaffte er sich die Hochachtung der afghanischen Stammesführer und ernannte sich zum König: Als erster General seit Alexander dem Großen führte er eine ganze Armee – die afghanische – über den Hindukusch. Weniger Glück hatte er mit den Briten, die das Land unterjochten und Harlan entmachteten. Der kehrte daraufhin nach Amerika zurück, versuchte sein Glück als Importeur von Kamelen und kämpfte im Bürgerkrieg für die Südstaaten. Natürlich hat Macintyre sein faszinierendes Buch nicht ohne Hintergedanken an die amerikanische Verwicklung im heutigen Afghanistan geschrieben. Denn Harlan hatte zwar königliche Ambitionen, war aber als Quäker auch ein Feind des Kolonialismus. Den Briten prophezeite er eine Niederlage - und behielt Recht. Rudyard Kipling ist durch Harlans Geschichte zu seinem Buch Der Mann der König sein wollte inspiriert worden. Ben Macintyre hat nun die spannende und abenteuerliche Geschichte dieses ungewöhnlichen Mannes aufgeschrieben.

Bis auf den heutigen Tag sind die Bewohner von Villeret stolz darauf, 18 Monate lang vier britische Soldaten in ihrem von Deutschen besetzten Dorf verborgen zu haben. Und bis auf den heutigen Tag hüten sie das Geheimnis, wer von ihnen die vier Briten im Mai 1916 verraten und damit in den Tod geschickt hat. Auch der Spionageverdacht, der auf einigen französischen Familie lastete, wurde nie richtig aufgeklärt.§Ben Macintyre stieß als Frankreich-Korrespondent der "Times" auf diesen ungelösten Fall. Er sah bisher nicht beachtetes Archivmaterial ein, erwarb sich das Vertrauen der Bewohner Villerets und interviewte Zeitzeugen bzw. deren Nachfahren. In seinem großen Report erzählt er, wie Robert Digby und seine Kameraden im Dorf Aufnahmen fanden, sich geschickt anpassten und eine zeitlang besser lebten als die von den Besatzern skrupellos ausgesaugten Franzosen. Und er erzählt die bewegende und tragische Liebesgeschichte von Robert Digby und Claire Dessenne, die verzweifelt versuchten, ihre Liebe auch unter widrigsten Umständen zu behaupten.§Die authentische Darstellung des Schicksals einer ganzen Dorfgemeinschaft in der Picardie zeigt, wie der Wahnsinn des Krieges auch das Leben jenseits der Schlachtfelder prägte.

Reconstructie van een dorpsdrama aan het westfront tijdens de Eerste Wereldoorlog.

Megismerhetjük Guy Burgess és Donald Maclean 1951-es lebukását és következményeit, Philby megvádolását, és bizonyítékok hiányában az ügy félbeszakadását, felmentését, majd Bejrútba küldetését, végül 1964-es moszkvai szökését. Természetesen azt is megtudhatjuk, miként befolyásolta a botrány Elliot és Angleton személyes életét és karrierjét. A fekete-fehér fotómelléklettel is ellátott kötet jegyzetekkel, irodalomjegyzékkel, név- és tárgymutatóval zárul.

Oleg Gordijevskij, syn agenta KGB, sa postupne začal dívať na komunistické zriadenie svojej krajiny ako na zločinné a neschopné reformy. Ruská spravodajská služba ho prvýkrát nasadila v roku 1968 a neskôr sa stal popredným zástupcom Sovietskeho zväzu v Londýne. Od roku 1973 však tajne pracoval pre MI6, pričom takmer desať rokov pomáhal Západu odhaľovať ruských špiónov a prekazil množstvo tajných plánov. V čase, keď sa studená vojna chýlila ku koncu, sovietske vedenie prežívalo čoraz väčšiu paranoju z možného prvého úderu zo strany USA, čo svet posúvalo na pokraj vojny. Pracovníci MI6 sa snažili udržať Gordijevského identitu v tajnosti, a to aj pred CIA, ktorá sa snažila odhaliť britského zdroja na najvyššej úrovni. Ich posadnutosť však viedla ku Gordijevského skaze, keď ho identifikoval Aldrich Ames, známy svojou špionážou pre Sovietov. Najnovšia kniha Bena Macintyra sa zaoberá trojstranným nešportovým správaním USA, Británie a Sovietskeho zväzu a ponúka strhujúci opis Gordijevského úteku z Moskvy v roku 1985. Čitateľ sa dostane do hlboko utajeného sveta zrady, kde rozhodnutie jednotlivca môže zmeniť budúcnosť národov.

V létě 1941, během vrcholu války v Západní poušti, měl excentrický mladý důstojník David Stirling vizi nového způsobu vedení války – útočení na nepřítele za jeho liniemi. Přes odpor britského vrchního velení získal osobní souhlas Winstona Churchilla k náboru nejdrsnějších a nejchytřejších vojáků. Tak začala nejoslavovanější a nejzáhadnější vojenská organizace na světě – SAS. Na základě tajných záznamů, dosud neznámých filmových záběrů a rozhovorů se zakládajícími členy SAS se odhalují pozoruhodné příběhy této bojové jednotky a cena za uskutečnění Stirlingovy vize. Britská Special Air Service byla výsledkem jeho strategického myšlení, které kontrastovalo s bezcílností jeho raného života. Zatímco většina jeho kolegů viděla na mapě bojiště vleklé střety, Stirling spatřoval příležitost. S malým počtem elitních vojáků plánoval údery za nepřátelské linie, aby ničil jejich letouny a materiál. Spolu s ukázněným Jockem Lewesem vytvořil revoluční bojovou skupinu, která změnila rovnováhu ve válce a samotný způsob boje. Čelil odporu těch, kdo považovali jeho taktiku za nepřijatelnou, ale jeho činy proti nacistům v Africe a Evropě se staly základem pro budoucí speciální jednotky. Kniha je literární předlohou pro TV seriál "Pluk mizerů".