The Secret History of World War II

Spies, Code Breakers, & Covert Operations

By: Neil Kagan, Stephen G. Hyslop

Narrated by: Andrew Reilly

From spy missions to code breaking, this account of the covert operations of World War II takes listeners behind the battle lines and deep into the undercover war effort that changed the course of history.

From the authors who created Eyewitness to World War II and numerous other best-selling reference books, this is the shocking story behind the covert activity that shaped the outcome of one of the world's greatest conflicts - and the destiny of millions of people. National Geographic's landmark book illuminates World War II as never before by taking you inside the secret lives of spies and spymasters; secret agents and secret armies; Enigma machines and code breakers; psychological warfare and black propaganda; secret weapons and secret battle strategies. Seven narrative chapters reveal the truth behind the lies and deception that shaped the "secret war". Renowned historian and top-selling author Stephen Hyslop and Neil Kagan reveal this little-known side of the war in captivating detail, weaving in extraordinary eyewitness accounts and information only recently declassified.

©2016 Neil Kagan and Stephen G. Hyslop (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Outstanding Overview of the WW2 Spy World

In the last year, I have read a great many books on spies in WW2. This is such a masterful volume. I learned a lot and enjoyed the vignettes that created a sequential history of covert activities that helped to win the war for the Allies. Interesting and engaging, it is a compelling read. History at its best!

Very interesting!

Vignettes of conversations, decisions, events, participants and results of actions taken during the war. Lots of interesting facts.

Well written and Well preformed.

Listened to it twice well worth your time.
Listened to it twice well worth your time.

An uninspired recitation of facts

A rather uninspired recitation of facts related to spies and espionage in WWII. I take no issue with the contents, but it reads like a high school textbook. It gets 4 stars only because I rounded up.

The wide view of WWII with many specific names and places, often telling how they fit together.

Some of the chapters seemed like they could have added more, but then maybe it would lacked that wide scope.