The Puppet Masters: Spies, Traitors and the Real Forces Behind World Events

by John Hughes-Wilson

‘The Puppet Masters’, written by an ex-intelligence officer, reveals the role of spying and intelligence in the great events of history.

From France’s brilliant secret agent transvestite to the infamous Cambridge spy ring, ‘The Puppet Masters’ offers an entertaining and thought-provoking insight into the work – and treacheries – of the spies who shaped history.

From the Old Testament’s honey-traps to WWII’s cryptography, from Elizabeth I to Osama bin Laden, the hidden hand of intelligence is exposed behind every critical decision.

In this revised and updated edition, John Hughes-Wilson analyses the threat of the globalisation of terrorism and the role of intelligence in fighting the ‘War on Terror’.

‘The Puppet Masters’ provides the essential guide to history, intelligence and war, perfect for either curious layman or expert.

“A powerful book… there should be a well-thumbed copy of this book on every general’s bedside table…” – The Spectator

“John Hughes-Wilson has a lively pen and an eye for a good anecdote… an enjoyable romp through world history.” – The Sunday Telegraph

A former senior intelligence officer, John Hughes-Wilson is an author and broadcaster specialising in military history and intelligence. He has published multiple works, including the best-selling ‘Military Intelligence Blunders’, while acting as a consultant for the United Nations, European Union, and the Ministry of Defence among other organisations.

Endeavour Press is the UK's largest independent publisher of digital books.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Espionage, Politics

472 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2004

Reviews

[Phill Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a course way back in my university daze called "Security and Intelligence" (insert oxymoron joke here). After the final lecture, I marched up to my professor and earnestly thanked him -- not because I was brown nosing, but because that was the best damn course in school. The Puppet Masters was not a textbook for that class, but it could have topped the reading list. This is not damning it with faint praise: Textbooks are stereotyped as dry and academic, while The Puppet Masters blew my mind. Read this book, leave your house, and play the James Bond theme in your head while ducking behind trees on your way to the grocery store. If the police stop you for suspicious behavior, tell them you are executing one critical mission for MI6, and assign the rozzers to clear stupid civilians from the area.

[William Hennessey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with the review by Sally W: an "interesting" book, but replete with structural errors. Either the typist -- or the editor... or both -- didn't proof-read the grammar sufficiently. Also: Harry Hopkins a KGB spy? C'mon! The author undoubtedly believes that anyone who supported Russia's WWII cooperation must have been a Red.

[Christopher Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

Although this was a bit dry in places in general it is a worthwhile read. The author has done his research well.

[Philip Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating stuff

Every now and again I delve into the non fiction world for a change. I enjoy spies/espionage tax and the book was as excellent as it was fascinating

[Mikee Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot to process lol.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a disturbing book. The best history of spying and espionage I have ever read. Donald Trump, if he ever bothered to read a book, might want to peruse this one. He might think twice about criticizing intelligence agencies.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! If you have any interest at all in what makes history and in spies and conspiracies and intelligence gathering through the ages, this book is for you. Thesis: that the best generals only succeed through great Intelligence. You want the truth about Washington, Lincoln, Napoleon and Bismarck's success, about the Cold War, not to mention World Wars I and II? Read this book. The author grasps what is really interesting and adds his own (prejudiced, but entertaining) comments. Teachers of history, both American and World, ought to add the author's stories of the underside of history to their repertoires, because these telling details add interest and also balance and humanity to the sweep of cause and effect that makes up the events that shape our world.

[Sally-W · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book caught my attention because I really enjoy espionage fiction. I found it interesting but the more I read, the more dissatisfied I became with the number of errors.

I have to assume that whoever edited the Kindle version tired after a while and abandoned the project. There were repetitive sentences following one another that could have been cut, missing hyphens, missing prepositions, missing articles, poor grammar - eg. "was an SIS. officer", repeated phrases - "it was the it was the".

I tired, too, of reporting content error.

[Vikas Datta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most fascinating, erudite and comprehensive account of the role of hidden influence, covert operations and a range of master manipulators of men and situations in history and statecraft down the ages. Seamlessly integrates theoretical aspects with examples and anecdotes galore to give a good feel of the subject and underplay that fact can definitely be much more strange and singular than the most lurid fiction...

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, just not brilliant. I enjoyed learning about the history of espionage, from Roman times to the present. I only rate it 3 stars as its doesn't tax the brain too much, but is a book I'd most certainly recommend, and read again some day.