squishies's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I was first intrigued by the spy shenanigans in WW2 because of an Imgur post that outlined some of the more bewildering use of agents and deception tactics. One of the comments recommended this book and man, do you get spy shenanigans and more.
I am in awe of the tactics carried out -some of them had me laughing out loud with its sheer audacity... and the fact that it worked!!
I couldn't help but feel a sense of useless frustration and dismay for the Schwarz Kapelle. They tried so hard!! I am bitter at the fact that the war could have ended so much earlier - so many lives needn't to be wasted - but for indifference and self-serving politics. Look, I get it the self-serving part (why not let the two big armies butt heads and come in later to clean up the mess) - it's the indifference of the Americans and their bloody Unconditional Surrender policy that really, really pissed me off.
It's quite amazing Germany was so powerful and was able to hold off the Allied for so long. I wonder what it would have been like if they didn't trust Engima so blindly and if Hitler was a bit more rational with some of the battles he engaged in... I mean, they almost overwhelmed the West several times if it weren't for Ultra unbuttoning their messages, as well as having a spy master who actively worked against / subverting Hilter's orders.
I also am stunned by the sheer magnitude of organising and carrying out Neptune.
I am also flabbergastered that the French make for some very bad spies.
While this book was an incredibly long book my attention never waned - it honestly was so interesting.
Just don't quiz me on any names or dates.
I was first intrigued by the spy shenanigans in WW2 because of an Imgur post that outlined some of the more bewildering use of agents and deception tactics. One of the comments recommended this book and man, do you get spy shenanigans and more.
I am in awe of the tactics carried out -some of them had me laughing out loud with its sheer audacity... and the fact that it worked!!
I couldn't help but feel a sense of useless frustration and dismay for the Schwarz Kapelle. They tried so hard!! I am bitter at the fact that the war could have ended so much earlier - so many lives needn't to be wasted - but for indifference and self-serving politics. Look, I get it the self-serving part (why not let the two big armies butt heads and come in later to clean up the mess) - it's the indifference of the Americans and their bloody Unconditional Surrender policy that really, really pissed me off.
It's quite amazing Germany was so powerful and was able to hold off the Allied for so long. I wonder what it would have been like if they didn't trust Engima so blindly and if Hitler was a bit more rational with some of the battles he engaged in... I mean, they almost overwhelmed the West several times if it weren't for Ultra unbuttoning their messages, as well as having a spy master who actively worked against / subverting Hilter's orders.
I also am stunned by the sheer magnitude of organising and carrying out Neptune.
I am also flabbergastered that the French make for some very bad spies.
While this book was an incredibly long book my attention never waned - it honestly was so interesting.
Just don't quiz me on any names or dates.
nickmiller's review
4.0
I got this book as part of a StoryBundle, and I'm happy I did! Good story, good pacing. I enjoyed the characters and their personalities!
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