Tag: espionage

  • The Defector by Richard Kerbaj

    I think there are times where we glorify defectors too much. Often we get to see the person who realizes they are on the wrong side of history (or a certain Iron Curtain). But what if their reasons are less ideological? In fact…what if they just suck as people both before and after defection? Say…

  • Redwood by Ben Macintyre

    Quite simply, if Ben Macintyre’s name is on the book, I am going to love it. Redwood is no different. In telling the story of a KGB agent who decides to switch sides, Macintyre has once again found a tale that is not well-known, but has such far-reaching effects that I am thoroughly confused how…

  • The American School of Spies by Stephan Talty

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The American School of Spies: If you can’t run with it, then bury it. Quick synopsis: The spies who protected Greek treasures in World War II. Fact for Non-History People: Many of the spies were Ivy Leaguers with backgrounds in the classics and archaeology. Fact for History Nerds: One member was…

  • The Spy in the Archive by Gordon Corera

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Spy in the Archive: It ain’t sexy, but it’ll do. Quick synopsis: The story of a KGB agent who pulls off the strangest espionage mission I’ve ever seen. Fact for Non-History People: Russian spying peaked in the 1980s with an estimated 100,000 communist spies in Western nations. Fact for History…

  • The Art Spy by Michelle Young

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Art Spy: An unconventional spy. Quick synopsis: The story of World War II French spy, Rose Valland. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1791. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Hitler was rejected twice from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna.   My Take on The…

  • No More Secrets by Betty Webb

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for No More Secrets: Secrets, secrets can be fun! Quick synopsis: The story of Betty Webb who served at Bletchley Park and the Pentagon in World War II. Fact for Non-History People: The Pentagon is the third-largest office building in the world. Fact for History Nerds: Bletchley Park’s activities were kept secret…

  • The Sisterhood by Liza Mundy

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Sisterhood: This has nothing to do with traveling pants. Quick synopsis: A look at the women of the CIA from inception to now. Fact for Non-History People: In the CIA in the 90s, women filled 40% of positions but only 10% of the highest-level jobs. Fact for History Nerds: The…

  • White Knights in the Black Orchestra by Tom Dunkel

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for White Knights in the Black Orchestra: Yeah, the title is already awesome. I got nothing. Quick synopsis: The story of various Germans who tried to destroy the Nazis from within in World War II. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Henry Ford was a huge anti-Semite. Hitler was a huge admirer…

  • The Martyr and the Traitor by Virginia Anderson

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Martyr and the Traitor: The ending will leave you hanging. I am so sorry. I’ll do better. Quick synopsis: The stories of Nathan Hale (you know him, probably) and Moses Dunbar (you do not) who were both tried and executed for treason. It just turns out one was executed by…