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The Bedbug: Klop Ustinov: Britain's Most Ingenious Spy
Klop Ustinov was Britain's most ingenious spy - but he was never licensed to kill. Instead, he was authorised to bemuse and beguile his enemies into revealing their deepest, darkest secrets. From the Russian Revolution to the Cold War, he bluffed and tricked his way into the confidence of everyone from Soviet commissars to Gestapo Gruppenführer. Although his official codename was U35, he was better known as 'Klop', meaning 'Bedbug' - a name given to him by a very understanding wife on account of his extraordinary capacity to hop from one woman's bed to another in the King's service. Frequenting the social gatherings of Europe under the guise of innocent bon viveur, he displayed a showman's talent for entertaining (a trait his son, the actor Peter Ustinov, undoubtedly inherited) and captivated unsuspecting audiences while scavenging their secrets. Using exciting anecdotes and first-hand accounts, Peter Day explores the fascinating life of one of espionage's most inventive and memorable characters. The Bedbug was a master of uncovering the truth through telling tales; now his own tale can be told.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2015
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68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 26, 2024
A quite remarkable man.
For all his faults he must be seen as one of those who gave everything he could, at great risk to himself, to affect the course of the war.
An absorbing read.
For all his faults he must be seen as one of those who gave everything he could, at great risk to himself, to affect the course of the war.
An absorbing read.
April 10, 2023
An encyclopaedic look at Jona Ustinov.
I'd suggest, someone when he was of early years mentioned to him, 'you only get one shot at this, make the most of it.' He did.
What a life.
What a story.
I agree with Helen: every page is a revelation.
I'd suggest, someone when he was of early years mentioned to him, 'you only get one shot at this, make the most of it.' He did.
What a life.
What a story.
I agree with Helen: every page is a revelation.
December 17, 2022
A story centred on Jona [Klop] Ustinov (Peter Ustinov’s father). Former German journalist and diplomat, agent of MI5 and MI6.
The story begins way back in the 19th Century, with goings in Ethiopia:
David Hall: Klop’s uncle, son of Moritz and Katarina, later Counsellor of State to the Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. Katarina Hall (aka Wayzaru Walatta Iyassus): Klop’s grandmother, Abyssinian aristocrat and wife of Moritz. Hall, Moritz: Klop’s grandfather, of Polish extraction, missionary and armament maker to Emperor Theodore of Abyssinia. Peter Metzler: Evangelical pastor who converted Klop’s father Platon to Protestantism. Maria Metzler: Pastor’s daughter and Platon Ustinov’s first wife. Nadia Benois,(Nadezhda Leontievna): Klop’s Russian wife, artist and theatre designer, daughter of architect Leontij and niece of Alexandre. Benois, Alexandre: leading light of the World of Art movement and Ballet Russes [Russia]. Leontij Benois, (Louis): Nadia’s father, architect and professor at the Academy of Arts. Albert Benois: Nadia’s uncle, successful water colourist. Alberto Cavos: Nadia’s great grandfather, architect and designer of Mariinsky Theatre home of the Imperial Ballet. Matthew Edwardes: British businessman married to Nadia’s aunt Camilla. The family went into exile in Britain and Matthew’s grandson Julius became Peter Ustinov’s business adviser. General Dmitri Horvath: Married to Nadia’s cousin Camilla. Leader of the White Russian rebellion in Vladivostok against the Communist revolution, with British support.
It would be quite something to see the entire family tree!
He fought for Germany, gallantly, in WWI.
He spied for Britain during WWII and a good part of the Cold War.
This is a remarkable tale, I cannot contemplate the research behind this book. A remarkable man: not perfect by any means, but dedicated to the cause.
I found this hard to put down, almost every page is a revelation. I’m sure all but a few, historians, know of what actually went on: what was published, what was covered up. Me, phew, what an incredible peek into the spy business.
Another book that now sits on the ‘Read it Again’ shelf.
The story begins way back in the 19th Century, with goings in Ethiopia:
David Hall: Klop’s uncle, son of Moritz and Katarina, later Counsellor of State to the Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. Katarina Hall (aka Wayzaru Walatta Iyassus): Klop’s grandmother, Abyssinian aristocrat and wife of Moritz. Hall, Moritz: Klop’s grandfather, of Polish extraction, missionary and armament maker to Emperor Theodore of Abyssinia. Peter Metzler: Evangelical pastor who converted Klop’s father Platon to Protestantism. Maria Metzler: Pastor’s daughter and Platon Ustinov’s first wife. Nadia Benois,(Nadezhda Leontievna): Klop’s Russian wife, artist and theatre designer, daughter of architect Leontij and niece of Alexandre. Benois, Alexandre: leading light of the World of Art movement and Ballet Russes [Russia]. Leontij Benois, (Louis): Nadia’s father, architect and professor at the Academy of Arts. Albert Benois: Nadia’s uncle, successful water colourist. Alberto Cavos: Nadia’s great grandfather, architect and designer of Mariinsky Theatre home of the Imperial Ballet. Matthew Edwardes: British businessman married to Nadia’s aunt Camilla. The family went into exile in Britain and Matthew’s grandson Julius became Peter Ustinov’s business adviser. General Dmitri Horvath: Married to Nadia’s cousin Camilla. Leader of the White Russian rebellion in Vladivostok against the Communist revolution, with British support.
It would be quite something to see the entire family tree!
He fought for Germany, gallantly, in WWI.
He spied for Britain during WWII and a good part of the Cold War.
This is a remarkable tale, I cannot contemplate the research behind this book. A remarkable man: not perfect by any means, but dedicated to the cause.
I found this hard to put down, almost every page is a revelation. I’m sure all but a few, historians, know of what actually went on: what was published, what was covered up. Me, phew, what an incredible peek into the spy business.
Another book that now sits on the ‘Read it Again’ shelf.
July 27, 2024
It's a great read.
Astonishing that he could achieve as much as he did.
Astonishing that he could achieve as much as he did.
July 12, 2024
I trust this is all true. It's one heck of a story.
To live so many lies and stay alive, I would suggest takes an incredible mind.
A truly entertaining read.
To live so many lies and stay alive, I would suggest takes an incredible mind.
A truly entertaining read.
February 20, 2024
A biography of Peter Ustinov's father, who just by being a pleasant fellow managed to be one of the most successful spies of his time, even though he didn't seem to do a whole lot to hide it.
Very interesting.
Very interesting.
February 9, 2023
As histories and/or biographies of espionage and/or spies I can not fault Mr. Day for the excellence of his writing and research. What I find lacking, even in excellent books like Mr. Day's is the perspective of the historian of an era rather then a sub plot - which is what ultimately histories of espionage and spying are.
It is good to know what traitors like Philby were doing while they worked for the security services. But it whatever they were instructed to do, whatever information they passed on, it is extraordinarily difficult to draw lines of causality between them, the information they passed on and the decisions of their ultimate political masters. That Philby did all he could to sabotage attempts by some German generals in 1938 to indicate to British politicians that they were opposed to Hitler doesn't mean that without him Britain would have helped engineer a army coup against Hitler rather than sign the shameful Munich agreement. Chamberlain and others were determined not to fight and the British were doubtful/suspicious of the German approaches.
Also, although it is great fun for those who like counterfactual history, the idea that British government would have actively become involved in a German army coup against is bordering on the absurd. There were way to many questions about reliability and how could anyone be sure that the whole thing wasn't a trick to embarrass Britain? The fact that the German Generals were unwilling to act without UK involvement shows how little committment they had. If you want to overthrow a government you have assume responsibility you have to have the courage and determination. They clearly didn't have it and I doubt even if they had launched a coup it would succeeded. You can't view this has a lost opportunity to stop Hitler, you only know that with hindsight. Without it you are simply asking for regime change such as I and most people I know regret that USA indulged in so frequently in the post WWII years.
Espionage effectiveness and the relevance of material supplies by agents is notoriously hard to quantify in importance at the time and in terms of the historical record. Rarely can you safely conclude that spying has been effective, except in those instances were it is what politicians want to hear. Stalin refused to believe to believe numerous warnings from his spies about the immediacy of a German invasion. How much influence Philby had must be viewed through the information we now have that the Soviets never trusted, even after his defection and on throughout his exile and until his death, they were always suspicious and thought he was to-good-to-be-true, believing he was a double agent and everything he told them part of an elaborate double-blind. What can't be doubted is that Philby sent dozens, maybe a few hundred men and also their extended families to either immediate or lingering deaths, when he betrayed the details of CIA drops of trained foriegn agents back into their home countries. Those men and their families should always be remembered when spies and treachery are discussed. What spies actually accomplish may be doubted - but they do get people killed.
All that is a bit of a diversion from the subject of this book. Klop Ustinov, father of the more famous Peter, was an extraordinary character and this is as excellent a life as it probably possible to write. Unlike more modern agents Klop kept his secrets and did talk much or write anything about what he did. This book is to praised because of the skill and knowledge of Mr. Day in handling material that could to easily have degenerated into speculative fantasy. But my over all reservations remain.
It is good to know what traitors like Philby were doing while they worked for the security services. But it whatever they were instructed to do, whatever information they passed on, it is extraordinarily difficult to draw lines of causality between them, the information they passed on and the decisions of their ultimate political masters. That Philby did all he could to sabotage attempts by some German generals in 1938 to indicate to British politicians that they were opposed to Hitler doesn't mean that without him Britain would have helped engineer a army coup against Hitler rather than sign the shameful Munich agreement. Chamberlain and others were determined not to fight and the British were doubtful/suspicious of the German approaches.
Also, although it is great fun for those who like counterfactual history, the idea that British government would have actively become involved in a German army coup against is bordering on the absurd. There were way to many questions about reliability and how could anyone be sure that the whole thing wasn't a trick to embarrass Britain? The fact that the German Generals were unwilling to act without UK involvement shows how little committment they had. If you want to overthrow a government you have assume responsibility you have to have the courage and determination. They clearly didn't have it and I doubt even if they had launched a coup it would succeeded. You can't view this has a lost opportunity to stop Hitler, you only know that with hindsight. Without it you are simply asking for regime change such as I and most people I know regret that USA indulged in so frequently in the post WWII years.
Espionage effectiveness and the relevance of material supplies by agents is notoriously hard to quantify in importance at the time and in terms of the historical record. Rarely can you safely conclude that spying has been effective, except in those instances were it is what politicians want to hear. Stalin refused to believe to believe numerous warnings from his spies about the immediacy of a German invasion. How much influence Philby had must be viewed through the information we now have that the Soviets never trusted, even after his defection and on throughout his exile and until his death, they were always suspicious and thought he was to-good-to-be-true, believing he was a double agent and everything he told them part of an elaborate double-blind. What can't be doubted is that Philby sent dozens, maybe a few hundred men and also their extended families to either immediate or lingering deaths, when he betrayed the details of CIA drops of trained foriegn agents back into their home countries. Those men and their families should always be remembered when spies and treachery are discussed. What spies actually accomplish may be doubted - but they do get people killed.
All that is a bit of a diversion from the subject of this book. Klop Ustinov, father of the more famous Peter, was an extraordinary character and this is as excellent a life as it probably possible to write. Unlike more modern agents Klop kept his secrets and did talk much or write anything about what he did. This book is to praised because of the skill and knowledge of Mr. Day in handling material that could to easily have degenerated into speculative fantasy. But my over all reservations remain.
December 5, 2023
What a life he led.
This has to be a film.
A cracking read: I'm reading this and thinking he has to survive to the end of the book, but at the same time thinking he's going to get caught!
This has to be a film.
A cracking read: I'm reading this and thinking he has to survive to the end of the book, but at the same time thinking he's going to get caught!
May 7, 2023
An incredulous tale and a thoroughly enjoyable read. Can it all be the truth and nothing but the truth? I doubt it. We've had a few 'not so true' written by the journalist profession up for review of late.
Journalists, hmmmmm...
"Peter Day (the author of this remarkable biography) has forty years' experience in journalism, including more than a decade as a senior reporter and newsdesk executive for the Mail on Sunday. Since turning freelance he has specialised in archive research, breaking exclusive stories on politics, royalty, military history and espionage."
Can this be as close to the truth as the author was able? Errrrrrr...
Page 5:
"All of these [a great many] people have helped me get closer to the truth about an elusive subject but cannot be held responsible for errors and misapprehensions. It has always to be borne in mind that the original source for much of what follows was two world champion raconteurs, Klop and his son Peter, and they may, just occasionally, have been guilty of that failing so often attributed to journalists – not letting the facts get in the way of a good story."
From then on, it all bode well with me. I'm happy the author did try to get at the truth and, for me, he's made a spiffing job of telling it.
I do admire the likes of Klop and Co. It was different time, a time that needed such people.
Journalists, hmmmmm...
"Peter Day (the author of this remarkable biography) has forty years' experience in journalism, including more than a decade as a senior reporter and newsdesk executive for the Mail on Sunday. Since turning freelance he has specialised in archive research, breaking exclusive stories on politics, royalty, military history and espionage."
Can this be as close to the truth as the author was able? Errrrrrr...
Page 5:
"All of these [a great many] people have helped me get closer to the truth about an elusive subject but cannot be held responsible for errors and misapprehensions. It has always to be borne in mind that the original source for much of what follows was two world champion raconteurs, Klop and his son Peter, and they may, just occasionally, have been guilty of that failing so often attributed to journalists – not letting the facts get in the way of a good story."
From then on, it all bode well with me. I'm happy the author did try to get at the truth and, for me, he's made a spiffing job of telling it.
I do admire the likes of Klop and Co. It was different time, a time that needed such people.
September 16, 2024
Jonah Freiherr von Ustinov (Klop). Young Klop hailed from somewhat regal parentage. Klop fought for the Germans in the 'first war' and was awarded medals for his merit. Soon after he became a press officer for the Germans and worked for the German Embassy in London. Some background for a man who became a most valued and productive British spy.
It was the Nazi regime which nurtured second-thoughts.
They say, lies will catch you out. In the world of spying, Klop was master storyteller.
You may of heard of his son, Peter Ustinov (the actor).
A riveting read.
It was the Nazi regime which nurtured second-thoughts.
They say, lies will catch you out. In the world of spying, Klop was master storyteller.
You may of heard of his son, Peter Ustinov (the actor).
A riveting read.
December 5, 2017
Actor, director, storyteller and humorist Peter Ustinov's father was in some ways an even more colorful character than his son. He was a charmer, womaniser, art dealer, international bon vivant and a spy.
Nicknamed The Bedbug by his wife (an artist, who still lived with him his whole life) he negotiated the labyrinth of intrigue from post-WWI, through WWII, and into the Cold War. This is his story in all its complexity and tortuous detail. A thoroughly entertaining peek into the clandestine world of intrigue within intrigue. - BH.
Nicknamed The Bedbug by his wife (an artist, who still lived with him his whole life) he negotiated the labyrinth of intrigue from post-WWI, through WWII, and into the Cold War. This is his story in all its complexity and tortuous detail. A thoroughly entertaining peek into the clandestine world of intrigue within intrigue. - BH.
January 11, 2025
I just could not finish. This book is so terribly written and edited (not-edited?) as some pub talk. Throwing in 3-4 unrelated new names to the story per page.
May 2, 2023
I thank Helen for putting this on the table. I had never heard of Klop Ustinov.
What a read!
It's definitely an edge of your seat, page turner.
Klop was by no means perfect; who is?
Even when accepting his faults/failings, you have to take your hat off to this chap.
One might say, he lived life to the full: he lived on a high-wire. How he ever was able to relax/switch-off/sleep, I can't imagine.
What a read!
It's definitely an edge of your seat, page turner.
Klop was by no means perfect; who is?
Even when accepting his faults/failings, you have to take your hat off to this chap.
One might say, he lived life to the full: he lived on a high-wire. How he ever was able to relax/switch-off/sleep, I can't imagine.
September 23, 2018
So much of the book was taken up with the stories of other people other than Klop. Sad that he didn’t even get a pension after all he contributed to the Allied side.
May 16, 2023
A great and enjoyable read … and, an eye-opener on the real-world of espionage: a subject I just can’t get enough of.
Peter Day did earn his crust as a mainstream media (national paper) journalist and testifies to the research undertaken in order to get this biography of Klop Ustinov, the father of Peter Ustinov (of acting fame) to publication.
This is one heck of a story … and, one does get the feeling, it’s unvarnished.
I may be wrong, but I am of the belief the sneaky-beaky, secret squirrel, mob were never first in line when it came to getting their chest pinned. However, Klop Ustinov should have been spiked more than the once.
This is an incredible tale.
Peter Day did earn his crust as a mainstream media (national paper) journalist and testifies to the research undertaken in order to get this biography of Klop Ustinov, the father of Peter Ustinov (of acting fame) to publication.
This is one heck of a story … and, one does get the feeling, it’s unvarnished.
I may be wrong, but I am of the belief the sneaky-beaky, secret squirrel, mob were never first in line when it came to getting their chest pinned. However, Klop Ustinov should have been spiked more than the once.
This is an incredible tale.
May 12, 2025
The man spent almost his entire adult life on a tight rope. Hats off. A remarkable story.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews