The Traitors

A True Story of Blood, Betrayal and Deceit

By: Josh Ireland

Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong

Playboy. Fascist. Strongman. Thief. Traitors.

September 1939. For years now Britain has been rudderless, divided and grievously unequal. Successive governments have floundered as they struggled to cope with economic misery at home and machinations abroad. Many of the country's citizens are seduced by fascism; others are simply left alienated by leaders who seem unwilling or unable to take the decisive action that is so desperately needed.

When war breaks out, the imperiled nation achieves the unity and purpose that has eluded it for more than a decade. It is a time of heroism and sacrifice in which many thousands of soldiers and civilians give their lives. But some Britons choose a different path, renegades who will fight for the Third Reich until its gruesome collapse in 1945. The Traitors tells the stories of four such men: the chaotic, tragic John Amery; the idealistic but hate-filled William Joyce; the cynical, murderous conman Harold Cole; and Eric Pleasants, an iron-willed pacifist and bodybuilder who wants no part in this war.

Drawing on recently declassified MI6 files, as well as diaries, letters and memoirs, The Traitors is a book about disordered lives in turbulent times; idealism twisted out of shape; of torn consciences and abandoned loyalties; of murder, deceit, temptation and loss. It shows how a man might come to desert his country's cause and the tragic consequences that treachery brings in its wake.

©2017 Josh Ireland (P)2017 Hodder & Stoughton

Critic reviews

"An epic tale of love, dishonour, bravery, cowardice, betrayal and high treason. Beautifully written. A stunning debut." (Damien Lewis)

Forgotten History

Very interesting story. I knew a bit about William Joyce but not much about some of the other notorious British Fascist. Interesting book about some forgotten figures in history. Gareth Armstrong did a excellent job of narration.

Fascinating

This book deftly tells the stories of a number of British men who betrayed their country in World War 2, and who went to work for the Germans in a number of capacities. While I knew about some of the better-known among them such as the fascists Lord Haw Haw and John Amery (son of one of Winston Churchill's cabinet members), I did not know about others in this infamous group. It is a fascinating narrative, and I most highly recommend it.