The Invisible Spy: The Untold True Story of an NFL Player Turned Spy and His Role in America's Covert WWII Operations

by Thomas Maier

The untold WWII story of a former NFL player turned White House insider who worked with Churchill’s undercover agents in New York City to conduct the biggest foreign spy operation ever within the US, and inspired Ian Fleming's James Bond, for fans of Ben Macintyre and Erik Larson.

As a tough but smart Italian American kid, Ernest Cuneo played Ivy League football at Columbia University and was in the old Brooklyn Dodgers NFL franchise before becoming a City Hall lawyer and “Brain Trust'' aide to President Roosevelt. He was on the payroll of national radio columnist Walter Winchell and mingled with the famous and powerful. But his status as a spy remained a secret, hiding in plain sight.

During this time, Cuneo began a love affair with one of Churchill's agents at Rockefeller Center—Margaret Watson, a beautiful Canadian woman with a photographic memory ideal for spycraft. In one nighttime attack, Watson was nearly smothered to death by a Nazi assassin inside her women’s dormitory near Rockfeller Center. Cuneo’s transformation from a gridiron athlete into a high-stakes intelligence go-between and political influencer is one of the great untold stories of American espionage. He has remained “invisible” in the public eye—until now, with this unveiled look into his life.

From the bestselling author and producer of the hit cable series Masters of Sex, Thomas Maier delves into the little-known tales behind FDR and Churchill; Canadian William “Intrepid” Stephenson, who oversaw the Rockefeller Center operation; the OSS’s “Wild Bill'' Donovan and his in-house rival, Allen Dulles; and more. The Invisible Spy weaves Cuneo’s remarkable personal story with the vivid and insightful portraits of many top figures in his world. Full of action and fascinating characters, this untold history shows how the British launched a far-ranging covert campaign against Nazi conspirators hidden in America, a spy war unbeknown to many. 

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

480 pages, Hardcover

First published March 25, 2025

Reviews

[HTP Books]

Espionage, Historical Biographies & Autobiographies, 20th Century United States History, World War II History

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Maier’s “The Invisible Spy: The Untold True Story of an NFL Player Turned Spy and His Role in America's Covert WWII Operations” shatters the boundaries of traditional spy biographies by unearthing the astonishing saga of Ernest Cuneo—a man who moved from football fields to the heart of global espionage. Maier skillfully resurrects Cuneo, a Columbia University gridiron star and one-time Brooklyn Dodgers NFL player, revealing his transformation into a White House insider with a very secret second life: as America’s first World War II spy and key go-between for FDR and Churchill’s British agents in New York City. The narrative briskly whisks readers through Cuneo’s unlikely journey as he collaborates with figures such as Winston Churchill, the mysterious Canadian spymaster William “Intrepid” Stephenson, and Ian Fleming—who would later model aspects of James Bond on Cuneo’s exploits. With deft storytelling, Maier details how Cuneo navigated a clandestine world tucked away inside Rockefeller Center, orchestrating counterintelligence against Nazi operations inside the United States at a time when the very notion of American intelligence was embryonic. Perhaps most striking are the glimpses into Cuneo’s personal life, including a romance with Margaret Watson, a Canadian agent with a photographic memory—an affair that nearly cost her life in an encounter with a Nazi assassin. These humanizing moments ground the high-stakes drama, making Cuneo’s motivations and vulnerabilities tangible beneath the bravado of a spy. Maier’s research shines as he interlaces real-time danger, political intrigue, and vivid character studies, while shrewdly drawing parallels between the “America First” debates of Cuneo’s day and contemporary politics. If Maier’s style occasionally tips toward information-laden, the sweep of action and cast of larger-than-life personalities more than compensate. “The Invisible Spy” isn’t just a fascinating tale of derring-do; it’s a revelatory excavation of a quintessentially American figure who shaped—and haunted—the origins of modern espionage. For anyone intrigued by the blurry frontiers between sports heroism, political power, and spycraft, this book is a knockout.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting read. I did skim over a few sections that were a tad dry for me. but it did not take away at all from the facts and trivia learned about spys! If you like James Bond, his creator was a real spy. "James Bond" was the most plain name he could think of.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy learning about the untold stories of spies and espionage and in that regard, this book did not disappoint. The warnings about the dangers of fascism and America first policies felt of course scarily relevant to current events. For such exciting content, I did find the narrative a bit dry at times and felt there could have been more of a story telling element. That said, the book packed a ton of information and I really enjoyed learning about this piece of history.

I also thought it was super cool to learn that Cunio’s first wife was from my tiny hometown. What an unexpected connection!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Audio for the ARC!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Invisible Spy:  The Untold True Story of an NFL Player Turned Spy and His Role in America's Covert WWII Operations.  Thomas Maier.  Hanover Square Press, 2025.  480 pages.


During WWII, American comic books, movies, radio shows, and propaganda convinced Americans that Axis spies and saboteurs were at large throughout the country and carrying out diabolical missions.   And as far as Germans were involved that premise was more correct than they knew.  What Americans didn't know, until quite recently, was that there were as many, if not more, British and Russian spies, agents of our allies, at work in the United States.  During the late 1930s and the war itself, the British acted with impunity, employing hundreds of agents, including future literary figures like Ian Fleming and Roald Dahl, who operated out of an office on the 36th floor of Rockefeller Center in New York City.  The British spy operation had the full support of President Roosevelt and reported directly to Prime Minister Churchill and his trusted subordinates.  They investigated and shared information with J. Edgar Hoover's FBI, planted disinformation and propaganda in American media, and actively carried out their own missions on American soil to further British war aims.  British expats in Hollywood like Cary Grant, Noel Coward,  and Alfred Hitchcock contributed helpful information gathered on the west coast and at New York cocktail parties.  The man who served as the bridge between British and American intelligence was Ernest Cuneo, a first generation Italian-American who had been a standout football player at Columbia University and in the earliest days of the NFL, the late 1920s - the kind of player who played for the entire sixty minutes of regulation play, both offense and defense, often for as little as $50 per game.  He was instrumental in making the connection between the established and professional British espionage organizations and the brash, upstart (sometimes reckless) American OSS founded by "Wild Bill" Donovan, the forerunner of the CIA.  He had personal and professional connections to the two biggest media figures of the time, Walter Winchell and Drew Pearson, read and listened to by tens of millions of Americans weekly, and he became a master manipulator of the press. He and Fleming became extremely close and life-long friends.  Bits of Cuneo are sprinkled throughout Fleming's James Bond novels, inspired by their collaboration at Rockefeller Center.  All the while, he remained invisible and kept his pivotal role largely unknown, not only during the war but throughout his life.  This book is really thorough and fascinating look at his incredible life and at the world of WWII espionage.

[GroveLifeLit · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Invisible Spy offers an intriguing and well-researched exploration of Ernest Cuneo’s life as a spy during WWII. This book showcases his unique ability to work within and among various government entities to ensure the intended goals for the groups he worked with were achieved. Throughout his life he was well regarded by those who knew him, but he never really sought fame or distinction for the roles he played in obtaining and sharing information. The book further discusses his relationships with other spies and political figures and how these relationships impacted and shaped the decisions he made as well as the way he lived his life.

The Invisible Spy was captivating from beginning to end and provided insight into an aspect of WWII that I had not necessarily considered as much prior to reading this work. Maier’s work is a must read for anyone who holds a love of history.

Thank you to The Hive, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of The Invisible Spy.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Invisible Spy” starts off with two Nazi spies walking through New York City, and one being hit by a car. Yes, Nazi spies in NYC! They were far from the only spies. Ernest Cune, a tough and smart Italian American guy who played NFL ball for the Brooklyn Dodger (yes football, not baseball) who becomes an intelligence go-between and political influencer. This book not only brings a ton of untold stories but all the big names like Fleming (yes Bond’s Fleming) and Wild Bill. If you love reading about true life spies, this is a great read.

Thank you NetGalley and Hanover Square Press #TheInvisibleSpy #NetGalley

[Bob Engeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about a little known faction of British spies and intelligence headquartered in Rockefeller Center in NYC before and during WW2 and the American who worked with them as an unofficial liaison.
This book is non-fiction but grabs you more like an historical novel and I read it through it 2 days, pausing only for an overnight sleep. The book was fascinating and full of eye opening stories and anecdotes and included details about such notables as Roald Dahl, Ian Fleming, Noel Coward, Fiorello LaGuardia, Alfred Hitchcock and others.
Highly recommend to any lover of US history in general or WW2.

[Chris Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful biography of a man who played a key role in World War II. He was a major link between the espionage world and the upper layers of the US government. He was a link to British intelligence in the US prior to the war and played a key role in the development of the Office of Strategic Services. It is written in a 'chatty' style with some repetition, and seems well-researched. It covers a wide array of government, espionage, media, and society habuties. It is an interesting and quick read.

[Michael Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting little-known story of a British Intelligence operation that worked out of Rockefeller Center in the years before the US entered World War II. Ernest Cuneo, a former football player, attorney and fixer, was the go-between for FDR and the top levels of the US government. Most interesting were the British spies Cuneo befriended, including Ian Fleming and Roald Dahl. Fleming remained a lifelong friend, and some of his exploits became fodder for the James Bond books.

[Jill Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great audiobook. I learned a lot about the spying cooperation of Great Britain and US during WWII. The contributions of Ernest Cunio are something I was unaware, but for good reason as he wanted to remain. I found interesting his work with Walter Winchell and how powerful the press was and planted news stories have a long history in our democracy. His friendship with Ian Fleming during and after the war was also well told.

[Richard Berger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book. Extremely well-researched and written. Stuff you never learn about in history classes. I would have rated it 5-stars, had I not found some of the reading to be a bit tedious. I found the final few chapters to be page-turners, and I highly recommend “The Invisible Spy” to all people interested in the history of spying during WWII and into the start of the Cold War period that followed.

[Jann Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

really long and detailed - lots and lots of research went into this book.

The only thing I didn't care for was the number of times the author spoke about other spies and what they were able/unable to accomplish.

Hoover of the FBI. Ugh.

[Lou Chodosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad I read this book, although there were no citations. It’s hard to know what is actual and what are guesses by the author. Interesting period of our history.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great biography of a little known figure and the British spy program in the US during World War II.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew nothing about the British spies in Rockefeller Center during WWII and it was fascinating.

[janet wakefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! A good connect with"The Rose Code" by Kate Quinn.

[Janette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not very exciting.

[Bonnie Dykhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of details but SO interesting! Especially Ian Fleming and the history of James Bond!

[Allison Brogden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved learning new historical true crime stuff. I need to own this soon.

[Shawn Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I had no idea about this part of history!

[Nathan Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a while to get through but packed to the brim with interesting tidbits and James Bond author facts. Enjoyable diving into some wwII spying between the us, England, Germany and Russia.

[John Landes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read about spycraft and the major players, especially Americans and Brits during WW2, but could have wrapped up way sooner. 4⭐️

[Bev Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true story about an NFL player, Ernest Cuneo, who became one of Churchill’s spies in a clandestine operation that was based in Rockefeller Center. Cuneo served as FDR’s secret liaison with a covert set of British spies and was a key reason for our WWII success. He was Americas first spy and remained invisible to the public eye. He became close to the British spy, Ian Fleming who dedicated one of his James Bond novels to Cuneo. His books were inspired by their experiences. This was a very interesting read.

[Kate See · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book about the development of a spying agency in America during the second World War; much more than is covered in any US History course.

[Thomas Maier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those who liked my book MAFIA SPIES, made into a Paramount+ series, will surely enjoy this amazing nonfiction story about exNFL player Ernest Cuneo who became America’s first spy of World War II. Those who love books about Winston Churchill (including my 2014 book WHEN LIONS ROAR: THE CHURCHILLS AND THE KENNEDYS) as well as Ian Fleming, author of James Bond novels, will be delighted with much of this book.