Secret Agent the true story of the Special Operations Executive

The definitive history of the formation of Britain’s Special Operations Executive from those who were there at the start.

The book behind the ground-breaking BBC series.

‘It is as good an introduction to this thrilling and moving subject as we are likely to get.’ Spectator

‘Anyone connected with SOE will enjoy it, while for those seeking enlightenment the book will provide an excellent starting point.’ Sunday Telegraph

‘Stafford gives us a superior example of the genre, writing with aplomb about the SOE’s most daring operations’ The Sunday Times

‘David Stafford has become the greatest expert on the SOE organization.’ John Plowright

In June 1940, British forces were driven from the continent by Hitler’s conquering armies. As Britain stared invasion in the face, a group of unconventional warriors planned a new form of warfare.

The Special Operations Executive was born.

With a brief from Winston Churchill ‘to set Europe ablaze’, this top-secret agency was given the dangerous task of co-ordinating subversion and sabotage against the enemy by all means necessary — using disguise, deception, bribery, explosives, guerrilla warfare and even assassination.

Drawn from extensive and in-depth interviews conducted for the ground-breaking BBC series of the same name, this book tells the story of the brave men and women who risked their lives to fight this secret war.

It reveals the covert world of SOE: how the operatives were recruited; the daring operations they carried out; the radio and coding systems that kept them in touch with London; and the gadgets designed to help them carry out their missions behind enemy lines.

Secret Agent tells the compelling story of how Churchill’s mandate came into being and how ordinary men and women worked tirelessly to undermine Hitler’s Europe from within.

READERS LOVE SECRET AGENT:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘War stories are always more interesting when they're about people and that is something that David Stafford hasn't forgotten.’ Stupot

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A must read for all interested in learning about covert operations during WWII.’ Terri S.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘All the excitement of a spy novel with the truth of a well-researched documentary.’ MrKevM