The Deceivers: Allied Military Deception in the Second World War

by Thaddeus Holt

A chronological analysis of the use of systematic deception by allied forces during World War II covers the development of deception techniques, explores the groundbreaking work of double agents, and reveals specific tactics that were used at key moments during the war. 30,000 first printing.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Espionage, War, World War II, Military History

1148 pages, Hardcover

First published May 25, 2004

Reviews

[Wayland Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a joke among writers about "I've suffered for my research and now the reader is going to suffer along with me!" That kept going through my head as I read this. The concept of using deceptions to fool the enemy in war is very old, and can be fascinating.

There's an incredible amount of detail here, and that's where things bog down. Do we need to know who stayed in what hotel for planning meetings? Conversely, there's a mention of "the most inspiring speech" several people ever heard... which isn't in the book or even quoted. Someone received Japan's highest honor... but they don't say what it's called.

There's also a lot more about personality clashes than I'd have expected.

Some interesting bits (I wouldn't have expected to run across F Scott Fitzgerald in these pages nor his wife Zelda, Peter Flemming, and to a lesser extent, his better known brother Ian Fleming, Douglas Fairbanks, and others). But there was a lot more fine detail than we needed. This reads more like a very long history paper than something for the general public.

[Øystein · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is part historical research, and part true storytelling. Most of the stories told are very fascinating, but it tends to drown in the historical correctness and sourcing. A worthwhile read if you're not adverse to skipping past boring chapters.

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very impressive work of archival research, to say the least. Holt has done yeoman's work combing through archives, obtaining declassification where possible, and in general compiling most of the research and historical writing done on the subject in the decades since World War II. However, where this tome falls short is in its lack of a narrative.

Holt is quick to praise general successes and point out failures, but there is a grand thesis missing from his book on strategic deception in war and lessons learned. Much of this is because of the fantastic quantity of detail he has amassed - all of which seems to have been shared here. From the overall success of the FORTITUDE SOUTH deception operation to the series of dalliances Dudley Clarke may or may not have had in Cairo, every last scrap of information and every memorandum, no matter how seemingly insignificant, seems to be reflected here. Mere notions of deception plans are studied in full despite never having been approved nor executed.

The reader is left rather overwhelmed and struggling to separate the wheat from the chaff. The important information - and there is much important about it - is here, and Holt deserves accolades for compiling and uncovering it. However, it is buried under a mound of extraneous detail, and much of the book becomes a mere chronological exercise ("X happened and then Y was rejected and then Bevan went back to London"), reminiscent of some of the history papers I wrote as an undergraduate.

Worth reading, but rather suffers under its own weight.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough going textbook, for the military academics and those keen on spies and art of deception.
I liked ......
the pithy overviews of the nature of war and the intricate role of deception
the short biographies of the main characters involved
the omission of unnecessary relationships...wives, partners, other businesses, etc. The author keeps
to the script
the excellent range of references. I would have added to the maps, however, salient points regarding
operations and locations
the recognition given to the efforts of the leading actors on the 'stages' of deception

It's not an easy read if the readers motivation is low! I kept to the topics that interested me most and was well rewarded.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating book, but fairly difficult to read. Very data heavy and does not flow well. However, the significance and importance of the material cannot be overstated to students of the military profession.

[Richard Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book. This is a must for anyone that wants to learn about deceptions used in WWII. I used this for my dissertation on the 23rd Special Troops (Ghost Army).

[Jimeetgandhi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite subjects and I would hate to give a book anything below 4 stars. But I just could not put myself up with the incoherence of this book. You would simply get lost in the innumerable acronyms and the huge number of players. And the writing is so deadpan, you would think you are listening to a robot. Even Siri is better.
Rather than focusing on relatively few aspects, Holt has strived to incorporate each and every element of the decption games within this book.

Believe it or not, there is an entire chapter dedicated to the principles of deception. Like really, Mr Holt, do you think readers care about it?
I left the book after 100 pages and having cursed myself at having wasted time and money.

[Patty · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh dear. I have not abandoned a book in quite a while, but it had to happen sometime- and on one of my favorite subjects, no less. This book is LONG and BORING. Put off by the dizzying alphabet soup of military and spy acronyms, the gigantic cast of every characters (as in EVERY single person who ever concocted a military deception...) and the need to include ALL details, no matter how small or insignificant, I quit after more than 400 pages. (So I am patient with a subject I like.) It is just not worth it. The author clearly needed an editor and better sense of judgment- know when to quit or your reader will do it for you.

[Rick Cratcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge tome, over 1000 pages with over 100 pages of references. This is a valuable reference source for readers with a serious interest in WW2 intelligence. The author has gone to great lengths to study all available sources and analyse their implications. It's not the kind of book you read from cover to cover but I have been returning to it again and again. Even at full price its great value for money but you can find used copies for as little as £1!

[Darin Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of this book's 1148 pages consist of maps, references, bibliography and various appendices. All the references are needed to keep up with the vast amount of information contained within the pages. I found it fascinating to read about all the behind-the-scenes deception schemes that quite literately helped win the war for the allies.

[Orion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty awesome book about the true "deceivers" of Allied espionage and all the tactics they used to trick the Axis from El Alemain to Berlin. I highly recommend it to WWII fans and espionage fans.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

On page 206 of 805.

9-17-11 I find the book a bit technical but still enjoyable.

10-15-11 Things are much more clear as the setting is explained. Greatly enjoying it!

[Jess]

Interesting and sometimes funny, but also massive, not entirely what I was hoping for and overdue to be returned to the library.