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Codename Intrepid: The Spymaster Who Changed World War II
In Manitoba, Winnipeg, a bronze statue of Sir William Stephenson proudly stands as a testament to this hero’s legacy. He was a dedicated soldier, a gifted inventor, an extraordinary businessman and a spy. From his humble Canadian beginnings, William Stephenson enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps and rapidly moved through the ranks of the armed forces.
Eventually earning himself the codename Intrepid for his immense bravery and dedication, Stephenson found himself a crucial cog in the war efforts against Nazi Germany in WWII. He became the senior official of the British Security Coordination, ensuring that British and American intelligence was safely passed between authorities. He became closely affiliated with Winston Churchill, and his wartime antics served as the main inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond.
Eventually earning himself the codename Intrepid for his immense bravery and dedication, Stephenson found himself a crucial cog in the war efforts against Nazi Germany in WWII. He became the senior official of the British Security Coordination, ensuring that British and American intelligence was safely passed between authorities. He became closely affiliated with Winston Churchill, and his wartime antics served as the main inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2019
240 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 1, 2020
I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Written by Ethan Quinn, "Codename Intrepid: The Spymaster Who Changed World War II" follows the life of Sir William Samuel Stephenson. Stephenson lived a full, exciting and dangerous life. Much of his life is shrouded in mystery, so Quinn presents both facts and speculation in a compact manner. Guy Mott narrates this work, and he gives a consistent, engaging performance.
William Stephenson is a fascinating character. He was one of the best Canadian fighter pilots of WW I, he escaped German capture, he was an inventor and entrepreneur. Most importantly of all, he was one of the greatest Allied spies of WWII, and he helped create the CIA. He also had powerful friends, including Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Quinn shares Stephenson's life in a concise, fast-paced account. Unfortunately, a substantial portion of Stephenson's life was secretive. As a result, Quinn presents many facts in conjunction with speculation, explaining that portions of the subject's life cannot be proven. Nonetheless, the work is filled with facts, quotes and anecdotes from Stephenson's life. The narrative remains credible and intriguing throughout the very brief, three hour and 39 minute run time.
Guy Mott admirably narrates this work. His diction is clear and precise, and he smoothly transitions through every sentence. He adds enough emotion and passion to keep passages believable and exciting. He moves at a steady pace, and he never gets bogged down in the more detail-heavy passages. His narration holds up well throughout the book.
"Codename Intrepid" is an intriguing examination of a largely unknown figure. Although it's brief, it moves at a quick and rousing pace. Mott presents the narrative in an interesting, captivating manner. This book is a good choice for fans of WWII, history and espionage.
Written by Ethan Quinn, "Codename Intrepid: The Spymaster Who Changed World War II" follows the life of Sir William Samuel Stephenson. Stephenson lived a full, exciting and dangerous life. Much of his life is shrouded in mystery, so Quinn presents both facts and speculation in a compact manner. Guy Mott narrates this work, and he gives a consistent, engaging performance.
William Stephenson is a fascinating character. He was one of the best Canadian fighter pilots of WW I, he escaped German capture, he was an inventor and entrepreneur. Most importantly of all, he was one of the greatest Allied spies of WWII, and he helped create the CIA. He also had powerful friends, including Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Quinn shares Stephenson's life in a concise, fast-paced account. Unfortunately, a substantial portion of Stephenson's life was secretive. As a result, Quinn presents many facts in conjunction with speculation, explaining that portions of the subject's life cannot be proven. Nonetheless, the work is filled with facts, quotes and anecdotes from Stephenson's life. The narrative remains credible and intriguing throughout the very brief, three hour and 39 minute run time.
Guy Mott admirably narrates this work. His diction is clear and precise, and he smoothly transitions through every sentence. He adds enough emotion and passion to keep passages believable and exciting. He moves at a steady pace, and he never gets bogged down in the more detail-heavy passages. His narration holds up well throughout the book.
"Codename Intrepid" is an intriguing examination of a largely unknown figure. Although it's brief, it moves at a quick and rousing pace. Mott presents the narrative in an interesting, captivating manner. This book is a good choice for fans of WWII, history and espionage.
November 29, 2020
I have read 2 or 3 other books on Sir William Stephenson. This book did give me some additional insight on the man. It kept my interest and since I am from Winnipeg I wanted to learn more about the spymaster. I hate to nit pick but I can assure you that Winnipeg was and is not a dreary town. Also, correct me if I am wrong but you wrote that President Roosevelt and Bill Donovan presented Mr. Stephenson an award in 1946. President Roosevelt died during the war so he could not have awarded this medal to Stephenson in 1946. If you ignore the nit picking, this book is worth reading by anyone interested in The Quiet Canadian.
December 19, 2023
This feels like a middle grade book that was poorly written and poorly edited. A number of times references to people, places, or events are made and it feels like information is missing to help explain the context.
I love reading about WWII and the true stories of the spies and heroes. This is not worth a reread and I'm glad I didn't spend any money on it.
I love reading about WWII and the true stories of the spies and heroes. This is not worth a reread and I'm glad I didn't spend any money on it.
January 11, 2022
Worth a read!
I enjoy reading about WW2 history and how average people helped to win the war. This book did not disappoint, it was a fast read, and Quinn drew me in with the details of how 'The Quiet Canadian' kept Roosevelt and Churchill in contact.
I enjoy reading about WW2 history and how average people helped to win the war. This book did not disappoint, it was a fast read, and Quinn drew me in with the details of how 'The Quiet Canadian' kept Roosevelt and Churchill in contact.
August 27, 2022
Poorly written, despite a good story, not as good as “A Spy Among Friends” about Kim Philby by Ben Macintyre or almost any of the Macintyre books. Needs more in depth writing and less idiosyncratic phrasing.
How about it Ben, it’s your kind of subject.!
How about it Ben, it’s your kind of subject.!
April 13, 2025
4.5 rounded to 5. This was an interesting biography. I appreciated that the book delved into William Stephenson's life and the important roles he had in shaping history. I also loved that the book ended with information about those he trained.
May 30, 2020
A little known Canadian hero
A short book telling the tale of the Canadian who helped Bill Donovan create the CIA, and helped Britain and the US win the last World war.
A short book telling the tale of the Canadian who helped Bill Donovan create the CIA, and helped Britain and the US win the last World war.
September 10, 2021
Not what I expected.
Poorly written. Many words with little substance. This book may have relayed facts, but only conveyed a revenge motive to this reader.
Poorly written. Many words with little substance. This book may have relayed facts, but only conveyed a revenge motive to this reader.
August 12, 2024
A good clear intro to Stephenson and his work, placing him in history and showing his importance and what made him unique. An easy read and good for someone who doesn't know much about history.
August 9, 2025
Interesting subject matter but written at an 7th or 8th grade level. Devoid of details. Could not finish.
Also, it's 'Winnipeg, Manitoba', not the other way around. 😑 Badly edited.
Also, it's 'Winnipeg, Manitoba', not the other way around. 😑 Badly edited.
May 6, 2020
Awesome
Great additional insight to something that changed the world. A true understanding of why the world is the way it is today.
Great additional insight to something that changed the world. A true understanding of why the world is the way it is today.
August 16, 2019
Not all war heroes carried weapons...
This book details the life of working behind the scenes for the Allies to influence events of WWII. While not a traditional war book for most of the text, it's intriguing to see how much every cog in the wheel changes events.
The writing is factual, like an old fashioned newspaper article before everything turned into an opinion piece. An example:
"Although he eventually referred to his war efforts as ‘eighty per cent paperwork’, this was merely Stephenson’s modesty and lack of individualism once again coming into play. Likewise, he continually praised the BSC for their invaluable assistance, and history has shown us that perhaps Stephenson’s tale would indeed be less extravagant without their input."
This book details the life of working behind the scenes for the Allies to influence events of WWII. While not a traditional war book for most of the text, it's intriguing to see how much every cog in the wheel changes events.
The writing is factual, like an old fashioned newspaper article before everything turned into an opinion piece. An example:
"Although he eventually referred to his war efforts as ‘eighty per cent paperwork’, this was merely Stephenson’s modesty and lack of individualism once again coming into play. Likewise, he continually praised the BSC for their invaluable assistance, and history has shown us that perhaps Stephenson’s tale would indeed be less extravagant without their input."
December 10, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
What an interesting, well-written, and engaging biographical novel. Many of the details of the behind the scenes work done by the spies in order for the allies to gain an upper hand during WWII are revealed. It's fascinating to me how much information was passed in a day without our current technology and instantaneous communication. It's interesting that still to this day how much of William Stephenson's life is still shrouded in secrecy and that the author had to speculate about certain events.
The narrator, Guy Mott, did a great job in moving the narration at a good pace and keeping the listener engaged.
What an interesting, well-written, and engaging biographical novel. Many of the details of the behind the scenes work done by the spies in order for the allies to gain an upper hand during WWII are revealed. It's fascinating to me how much information was passed in a day without our current technology and instantaneous communication. It's interesting that still to this day how much of William Stephenson's life is still shrouded in secrecy and that the author had to speculate about certain events.
The narrator, Guy Mott, did a great job in moving the narration at a good pace and keeping the listener engaged.
November 27, 2019
This was a great book. I don't normally indulge in nonfiction and I don't normally enjoy biographies if I do, but this book was short, well-written and performed, and very interesting. William Stephenson lived a very full life and this book really highlights the finer points. He was a Canadian who fought against the Germans in both the first and second world wars through direct fighting and espionage.
There is a ton in this book and it is all fascinating stuff. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in World War history.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
There is a ton in this book and it is all fascinating stuff. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in World War history.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
November 16, 2019
Quinn has written a solid telling of this fascinating man. Rather than dry history, he tells it as if it were a biographical film.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews