What do you think?
Rate this book
Spymaster: The Man Who Saved MI6
The dramatic story of a man who stood at the center of British intelligence operations, the ultimate spymaster of World War Thomas Kendrick
“A remarkable piece of historical detective work. . . . Now, thanks to this groundbreaking book, the result of years of meticulous research and expert analysis, Kendrick’s role as one of the great spymasters of the twentieth century can be revealed.”—Saul David, Daily Telegraph
Thomas Kendrick (1881–1972) was central to the British Secret Service from its beginnings through to the Second World War. Under the guise of “British Passport Officer,” he ran spy networks across Europe, facilitated the escape of Austrian Jews, and later went on to set up the “M Room,” a listening operation which elicited information of the same significance and scope as Bletchley Park. Yet the work of Kendrick, and its full significance, remained largely unknown.
Helen Fry draws on extensive original research to tell the story of this remarkable British intelligence officer. Kendrick’s life sheds light on the development of MI6 itself—he was one of the few men to serve Britain across three wars, two of which while working for the British Secret Service. Fry explores the private and public sides of Kendrick, revealing him to be the epitome of the “English gent”—easily able to charm those around him and scrupulously secretive.
“A remarkable piece of historical detective work. . . . Now, thanks to this groundbreaking book, the result of years of meticulous research and expert analysis, Kendrick’s role as one of the great spymasters of the twentieth century can be revealed.”—Saul David, Daily Telegraph
Thomas Kendrick (1881–1972) was central to the British Secret Service from its beginnings through to the Second World War. Under the guise of “British Passport Officer,” he ran spy networks across Europe, facilitated the escape of Austrian Jews, and later went on to set up the “M Room,” a listening operation which elicited information of the same significance and scope as Bletchley Park. Yet the work of Kendrick, and its full significance, remained largely unknown.
Helen Fry draws on extensive original research to tell the story of this remarkable British intelligence officer. Kendrick’s life sheds light on the development of MI6 itself—he was one of the few men to serve Britain across three wars, two of which while working for the British Secret Service. Fry explores the private and public sides of Kendrick, revealing him to be the epitome of the “English gent”—easily able to charm those around him and scrupulously secretive.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published July 10, 2014
33 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Helen Fry
37 books73 followersHelen Fry has written numerous books on the Second World War with particular reference to the 10,000 Germans and Austrians who fought for Britain in the war.
Other books by Helen include histories of various Anglo-Jewish communities, including The Lost Jews of Cornwall (with Keith Pearce); and The Jews of Exeter. Her titles also include books on Christian-Jewish Dialogue. Her textbook Christian-Jewish Dialogue: A Reader has been translated into Russian, Czech and Polish.
Helen has branched out into fiction with James Hamilton under the pseudonym JH Schryer. Together they have written two novels of historical fiction and been in development on scripts with Green Gaia Films for a TV drama based on their novels.
Helen is an Honorary Research Fellow in the Dept of Hebrew & Jewish Studies at University College London and Lecturer at the London Jewish Cultural Centre. She is a member of The Biographers’ Club, The Society of Authors and an Honorary member of The Association of Jewish Refugees.
Other books by Helen include histories of various Anglo-Jewish communities, including The Lost Jews of Cornwall (with Keith Pearce); and The Jews of Exeter. Her titles also include books on Christian-Jewish Dialogue. Her textbook Christian-Jewish Dialogue: A Reader has been translated into Russian, Czech and Polish.
Helen has branched out into fiction with James Hamilton under the pseudonym JH Schryer. Together they have written two novels of historical fiction and been in development on scripts with Green Gaia Films for a TV drama based on their novels.
Helen is an Honorary Research Fellow in the Dept of Hebrew & Jewish Studies at University College London and Lecturer at the London Jewish Cultural Centre. She is a member of The Biographers’ Club, The Society of Authors and an Honorary member of The Association of Jewish Refugees.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 30, 2024
I love when a non-fiction book that reads like fiction is donated to my Little Free Library Shed.
It makes my reading experiences so enjoyable!
This truly is a remarkable story.
A story of Thomas Kendrick, who was seemingly forgotten in the history books.
And yet…
He played quite a pivotal role in history for British Intelligence. A man, according to this author, “who saved MI6,” the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service.
Spymaster follows the life of Kendrick over 4 decades spent in British Intelligence. While bantering away with the wealthy, he simultaneously ran spy networks across Europe that were gathering intelligence.
Typically …
About the Soviet and Nazi threats to democracy.
And…
He also saved the lives of thousands of Jewish people during the rise of Nazism, through his incredible experience with espionage skills.
It is nice to see him get his due in this compelling read.
It makes my reading experiences so enjoyable!
This truly is a remarkable story.
A story of Thomas Kendrick, who was seemingly forgotten in the history books.
And yet…
He played quite a pivotal role in history for British Intelligence. A man, according to this author, “who saved MI6,” the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service.
Spymaster follows the life of Kendrick over 4 decades spent in British Intelligence. While bantering away with the wealthy, he simultaneously ran spy networks across Europe that were gathering intelligence.
Typically …
About the Soviet and Nazi threats to democracy.
And…
He also saved the lives of thousands of Jewish people during the rise of Nazism, through his incredible experience with espionage skills.
It is nice to see him get his due in this compelling read.
January 10, 2022
3.5 stars
A well researched look at the early days (pre-WWI) of British intelligence, & Thomas Kendrick’s role in establishing MI6 & guiding it through WWII.
[What I liked:]
•It was quite interesting to learn about the early days of the British intelligence services. I had no idea that they largely grew out of innovations during the 1st & 2nd Boer Wars, & that so many of the integral players were South African or recruited in South Africa.
•Likewise, it was interesting to read the details of how certain (now ubiquitous) espionage techniques were pioneered, such as embedding intelligence officials into foreign embassies under diplomatic cover.
•The writer obviously cares very much about her subject, & the afterword is a heartfelt tribute to Kendrick’s efforts to help Jews escape Europe during the Nazi era. Due to his career in intelligence, much of Kendrick’s work was classified until recently (or still is), & this book is an effort to recognize his untold story.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•I realize this is largely due to a lack of resource material, but for a book that focuses on a particular figure he is missing from much of the narrative. We get the bare facts of his life, but don’t get much insight into Kendrick’s & feelings or views. Most of the story is told by piecing together Kendrick’s actions & movements based on those of the people he worked with & diplomatic records. It felt like something key was missing at the center of this biography, who Kendrick was as a person, why he was motivated to do the work he did.
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
A well researched look at the early days (pre-WWI) of British intelligence, & Thomas Kendrick’s role in establishing MI6 & guiding it through WWII.
[What I liked:]
•It was quite interesting to learn about the early days of the British intelligence services. I had no idea that they largely grew out of innovations during the 1st & 2nd Boer Wars, & that so many of the integral players were South African or recruited in South Africa.
•Likewise, it was interesting to read the details of how certain (now ubiquitous) espionage techniques were pioneered, such as embedding intelligence officials into foreign embassies under diplomatic cover.
•The writer obviously cares very much about her subject, & the afterword is a heartfelt tribute to Kendrick’s efforts to help Jews escape Europe during the Nazi era. Due to his career in intelligence, much of Kendrick’s work was classified until recently (or still is), & this book is an effort to recognize his untold story.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•I realize this is largely due to a lack of resource material, but for a book that focuses on a particular figure he is missing from much of the narrative. We get the bare facts of his life, but don’t get much insight into Kendrick’s & feelings or views. Most of the story is told by piecing together Kendrick’s actions & movements based on those of the people he worked with & diplomatic records. It felt like something key was missing at the center of this biography, who Kendrick was as a person, why he was motivated to do the work he did.
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
Read
November 22, 2021Interesting subject matter, but the narrative didn't quite gel into a cohesive story for me; I felt distanced from the main subjects and that there were a lot of names and places that dropped in and out unpredictably. I had a hard time keeping everything straight, and wasn't motivated to keep trying, even though the writing style was readable and the narrator had a pleasant voice.
If 20th century history and the origins of major institutions that helped shape the modern world are your jam, give it a shot!
If 20th century history and the origins of major institutions that helped shape the modern world are your jam, give it a shot!
November 1, 2023
Thomas Kendrick, SIS agent working in the passport office in Vienna during the 1938 Anschluss, assisted thousands of Jews to escape Nazi persecution by providing them with false documents until his betrayal by a Abwehr double agent. During the war years, he provided crucial intelligence based on covert recordings of high ranking German prisoners of war held in the UK, which is claimed to have contributed to success in the Battle of Britain, and thwarted the development of Hitler’s secret V weapon. A great read for those interested in the world of espionage and subterfuge.
December 31, 2025
Helen Fry has written many books about WWII and spies in particular. In this one, the focus is on Thomas Kendrick. He served as the coordinator of the British spy network for all European agents before, during and after WWII. Kendrick got his start at age 21 in S. Africa, where he grew up, during the Boer War in 1901. Riding his bicycle behind enemy lines, he gathered intelligence for the British. Learning interrogation techniques he would later use and refine in WWI and WWII, Kendrick befriended Jews as a young man and honored that friendship when faced with the Nazis. Kendrick was quite social, a personality trait that allowed him to hide his service as an intelligence officer when he served in Vienna during WWII under an official title as a Passport Control Officer. From that post, he was able to launch, monitor, and command surveillance of Nazi activities across Germany. He personally facilitated the escape of thousands of Jews. His cover was blown at one point and he was arrested and held briefly, causing the European operation to be withdrawn for fear of compromise, for a short while. He then moved to England to develop the interrogation of German POWs. There, he established what became the modern technique of garnering information, not by torture, but by secretly bugging quarters where POWs, including high ranking officers, were housed. Through friendly conversations with Brits-who the Germans didn't know were playing the long game while setting them up-which were followed by allowing fellow soldiers to be housed together, Kendrick's teams were able to overhear and record useful information. His teams were able to uncover the development, location, and names of scientists involved in the V rocket system, for example. In his private life, Kendrick and his wife were quite the high society type, holding many parties in Vienna, as they were well-connected, which also provided Kendrick with avenues to recruit more spies. His family never knew the true nature of his work. In fact, most of it is still classified, which made this book somewhat unsatisfying and frustrating to read. The author was able to bring much of his work to light, but he never truly comes to life as a human being, because of the hidden nature of the files that earned him an unlimited budget from Churchill to conduct his interrogation activities (yielding information of a nature on a par in value with nearby Bletchley Park). I wish we could know more about this extraordinary man, who Fry is working to have recognized at Israel's Yad Vashem memorial for Righteous Gentiles.
April 30, 2024
Though Fry is an academic rather than a fiction writer, in Spymaster she has a compelling, even at times thrilling story to tell. Though her writing isn't particularly exciting, indeed she's often rather repetitive, the true story itself carries the day. This book is her effort to cast some light on Thomas Joseph Kendrick, a British Intelligence officer whose important but highly secretive work from before WWI and through WWII was previously unknown outside of the trade--and maybe even inside some divisions within the espionage network as well.
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Kendrick was a field intelligence officer during the First World War. At the end of 1925 he became SIS's (MI6) station chief for Europe, based at the British Consulate in Vienna, with a cover as the resident passport control officer.
At first Kendrick's primary efforts were focused on Communist Russian activity, but as the Nazi regime gained power in Germany much of his team's activity shifted to the rising threat just outside of Austria's borders. Indeed, when the Anschluss occurred in March, 1938, with Germany 'annexing' Austria, Kendrick and his passport control team were instrumental in helping Austrian and other Jews leave the country. It's estimated that Kendrick's group were able to help approximately 10,000 people.
All that ended in mid-1938 when Kendrick was arrested by the SD and after a
multi-day interrogation, expelled from Austria and returned to the UK. During the early months of the war he built, organized and oversaw a listening unit which bugged rooms and cells in three stately homes in Britain that were used to both interrogate but also house select German POWs who were either officers of relatively high rank or soldiers seen to have specific, useful information to impart.
The unit used relatively gentle interrogation tactics, but it's real activity was listening in to private conversations between inmates during periods where they believed they weren't being observed. He also monitored and worked with Rudolph Hess after the Nazi's flight to Scotland in 1941.
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Kendrick was a field intelligence officer during the First World War. At the end of 1925 he became SIS's (MI6) station chief for Europe, based at the British Consulate in Vienna, with a cover as the resident passport control officer.
At first Kendrick's primary efforts were focused on Communist Russian activity, but as the Nazi regime gained power in Germany much of his team's activity shifted to the rising threat just outside of Austria's borders. Indeed, when the Anschluss occurred in March, 1938, with Germany 'annexing' Austria, Kendrick and his passport control team were instrumental in helping Austrian and other Jews leave the country. It's estimated that Kendrick's group were able to help approximately 10,000 people.
All that ended in mid-1938 when Kendrick was arrested by the SD and after a
multi-day interrogation, expelled from Austria and returned to the UK. During the early months of the war he built, organized and oversaw a listening unit which bugged rooms and cells in three stately homes in Britain that were used to both interrogate but also house select German POWs who were either officers of relatively high rank or soldiers seen to have specific, useful information to impart.
The unit used relatively gentle interrogation tactics, but it's real activity was listening in to private conversations between inmates during periods where they believed they weren't being observed. He also monitored and worked with Rudolph Hess after the Nazi's flight to Scotland in 1941.
November 18, 2021
Soldier to Spymaster
Double agents, fake passports, invisible ink, prisoners of war, hidden microphones, and planted spies, and so much more can be found in this historical read! Helen Fry delivers binge-worthy information on the beginnings of MI6 and the vital role that Thomas Kendrick played in the establishment. Fry discusses Kendrick’s beginnings in South Africa, his involvement in the Bicycle Brigade during World War I, his work throughout Europe between the wars, and his work in Britain during World War II. Kendrick’s reputation as a soldier as being level headed, having great discretion and charisma all played a role in his development into espionage. After WWI, Kendrick spent time in Cologne tracking Communists before being sent to Austria. Under the cover of the Consulate’s Passport office, Kendrick used his position to socialize and learn of Communists in the area. As Hitler and the Nazi party rose to power, Kendrick then began to use his position in the Passport office to aid Jews in escaping. Kendrick was questioned and subsequently banned from Austria and sent back to Britain after being questioned by the Gestapo. Kendrick was placed in Latimer House. This undercover prison held many prisoners of war including Hess (HItler’s second in command). Through his secret listeners at Latimer House and Trent Park, Kendrick helped gather useful information about the German mechanical and strategical intelligence. Due to the secretive work that Kendrick conducted, he is just now beginning to be recognized for all of his work.
This is a great read for a WWII or British history buff. I was going to give this a 4 star review because the list of names and locations was a bit difficult to keep track of. However, I contribute this to listening to the audiobook as opposed to the written copy. I don’t find it fair to dock it based on this so a 5 star review it is! I loved the flow of the book, and the fact that Fry is trying to gain recognition for Kendrick. I am curious about Fry’s other works and may read more after I finish researching Kendrick and the MI6!
Double agents, fake passports, invisible ink, prisoners of war, hidden microphones, and planted spies, and so much more can be found in this historical read! Helen Fry delivers binge-worthy information on the beginnings of MI6 and the vital role that Thomas Kendrick played in the establishment. Fry discusses Kendrick’s beginnings in South Africa, his involvement in the Bicycle Brigade during World War I, his work throughout Europe between the wars, and his work in Britain during World War II. Kendrick’s reputation as a soldier as being level headed, having great discretion and charisma all played a role in his development into espionage. After WWI, Kendrick spent time in Cologne tracking Communists before being sent to Austria. Under the cover of the Consulate’s Passport office, Kendrick used his position to socialize and learn of Communists in the area. As Hitler and the Nazi party rose to power, Kendrick then began to use his position in the Passport office to aid Jews in escaping. Kendrick was questioned and subsequently banned from Austria and sent back to Britain after being questioned by the Gestapo. Kendrick was placed in Latimer House. This undercover prison held many prisoners of war including Hess (HItler’s second in command). Through his secret listeners at Latimer House and Trent Park, Kendrick helped gather useful information about the German mechanical and strategical intelligence. Due to the secretive work that Kendrick conducted, he is just now beginning to be recognized for all of his work.
This is a great read for a WWII or British history buff. I was going to give this a 4 star review because the list of names and locations was a bit difficult to keep track of. However, I contribute this to listening to the audiobook as opposed to the written copy. I don’t find it fair to dock it based on this so a 5 star review it is! I loved the flow of the book, and the fact that Fry is trying to gain recognition for Kendrick. I am curious about Fry’s other works and may read more after I finish researching Kendrick and the MI6!
January 24, 2025
Fry has clearly meticulously researched this book, using an academic-level of primary research, bolstered with interviews and 'unnamed sources'.
A central problem with the book however is, despite this level of research, just how scant material there is on Kendrick himself. There are significant parts of the book in which Kendrick does not feature, or just happens to be there. Sometimes guesses are made as to his thoughts, using a source about what others were thinking and favourably extending that to Kendrick.
One of my main issues with the book is that Fry is prone to exaggerate the impact of certain events and espionage activities. The reader is often told that were it not for specific intelligence efforts, then Hitler could have won the war. Perhaps the most preposterous example is that of the V-3 Cannon, where Fry asserts "Thus, had this new technology and its whereabouts not been discovered, the tide could have turned in favour of Germany and the Allies could have lost the war." (p.252), an unsubstantiated claim and I don't think any other historian would agree. Similarly, Fry states later (p.284) "In spite of the Allied military advances, if Germany had fully unleased [sic] its rocket or atomic technology, the course of the war could have been altered - and the Allies may ultimately have lost". Other historians who have written about Operation Epsilon seem to conclude that Germany was nowhere near developing an Atomic bomb. It is possible that these were injects by the publisher to increase the drama and elevate every effort to one that turned the tide of the war.
Despite these exaggerations, the rest of the book is certainly interesting material and well researched and described by Fry. I'd recommend this book if you're interested in a non-dry history of SIS formation and activities in the inter-war years.
A central problem with the book however is, despite this level of research, just how scant material there is on Kendrick himself. There are significant parts of the book in which Kendrick does not feature, or just happens to be there. Sometimes guesses are made as to his thoughts, using a source about what others were thinking and favourably extending that to Kendrick.
One of my main issues with the book is that Fry is prone to exaggerate the impact of certain events and espionage activities. The reader is often told that were it not for specific intelligence efforts, then Hitler could have won the war. Perhaps the most preposterous example is that of the V-3 Cannon, where Fry asserts "Thus, had this new technology and its whereabouts not been discovered, the tide could have turned in favour of Germany and the Allies could have lost the war." (p.252), an unsubstantiated claim and I don't think any other historian would agree. Similarly, Fry states later (p.284) "In spite of the Allied military advances, if Germany had fully unleased [sic] its rocket or atomic technology, the course of the war could have been altered - and the Allies may ultimately have lost". Other historians who have written about Operation Epsilon seem to conclude that Germany was nowhere near developing an Atomic bomb. It is possible that these were injects by the publisher to increase the drama and elevate every effort to one that turned the tide of the war.
Despite these exaggerations, the rest of the book is certainly interesting material and well researched and described by Fry. I'd recommend this book if you're interested in a non-dry history of SIS formation and activities in the inter-war years.
November 24, 2021
The audiobook tells the story of Thomas Kendrick following him from his early years in South Africa through his efforts in World War I and World War II. Kendrick was under appreciated during his time and for years after. The reason was two fold. First, most things he did were top secret and not released to the public until recently. Second, he was not a boastful man, and many who knew him in later life knew very little about this spy days.
This book was excellently researched by Helen Fry. The information provided was insightful and through. My only negative would be the amount of information sometimes bogged you down as you were listening and was a lot to keep track of. While that was a slight negative, It didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book. Thomas Kendrick was an interesting man, who was at the heart of Britain’s spy craft versus German forces in World War II. He did a number of ingenious things such as bugging the window sills of German POWS, so that they could hear them talking when they thought they were safe.
Overall this is a very good book that covers the life of one the great British spies with a heavy emphasis on World War II. It would appeal to history buffs who are interested in the World Wars specifically or spy craft in general. Thank you to @Netgalley, @yalepress, and @DrHelenFry for an advance copy for an honest review.
This book was excellently researched by Helen Fry. The information provided was insightful and through. My only negative would be the amount of information sometimes bogged you down as you were listening and was a lot to keep track of. While that was a slight negative, It didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book. Thomas Kendrick was an interesting man, who was at the heart of Britain’s spy craft versus German forces in World War II. He did a number of ingenious things such as bugging the window sills of German POWS, so that they could hear them talking when they thought they were safe.
Overall this is a very good book that covers the life of one the great British spies with a heavy emphasis on World War II. It would appeal to history buffs who are interested in the World Wars specifically or spy craft in general. Thank you to @Netgalley, @yalepress, and @DrHelenFry for an advance copy for an honest review.
December 12, 2021
This is a fantastic book. For anyone who knows a bit about WWII, especially Britain’s home war when it came to some of the spy work they did, they might already know about the homes that they had bugged that they kept German POWs in, but the story around the man who came up with and executed that idea is something else.
Spymaster is so engrossing that it is an easy 5 star for me. I did not want to stop reading this book. Thomas Kendrick is fascinating when he is at his craftiest doing his spy work for England, and when he is at his most human doing what he can to try to rescue every person in Vienna after the Germans occupy Austria. I came into this book fully expecting nothing but spy master handling agent type stories, and the section where he was in Vienna working on helping Jews flee by any means necessary was one of the best parts. Perhaps because I knew so much already about Camp Z and how they had Rudolf Hess.
For anyone with an interest in WWII history, spycraft, and even a bit of German resistance, this is an amazing look at one man’s life and what he accomplished. It was nice to hear that he was getting recognition for the lives that he and his team saved as well. Thank you to NetGalley and Yale University Press for the copy of this audiobook.
Spymaster is so engrossing that it is an easy 5 star for me. I did not want to stop reading this book. Thomas Kendrick is fascinating when he is at his craftiest doing his spy work for England, and when he is at his most human doing what he can to try to rescue every person in Vienna after the Germans occupy Austria. I came into this book fully expecting nothing but spy master handling agent type stories, and the section where he was in Vienna working on helping Jews flee by any means necessary was one of the best parts. Perhaps because I knew so much already about Camp Z and how they had Rudolf Hess.
For anyone with an interest in WWII history, spycraft, and even a bit of German resistance, this is an amazing look at one man’s life and what he accomplished. It was nice to hear that he was getting recognition for the lives that he and his team saved as well. Thank you to NetGalley and Yale University Press for the copy of this audiobook.
December 1, 2021
Audio ARC provided via NetGalley
Good narrator, engaging and able to bring sense to slightly jumpy text.
This book focuses mostly on the career of Thomas Kendrick, who served British intelligence through three wars and likely revitalised MI6. It was an interesting narrative but due to the paucity in some areas of information (a lot is still classified) there is a fair bit of necessary fudging and vagueness going on. Fry also drops a lot of names without very much explanation. I didn’t find this a hinderance because I’ve read a lot of spy non fic but I imagine it would be very off putting to someone who didn’t have that baseline of knowledge. It’s very noticeable that she seems to be far more interested on male intelligence officers too, and sort of skips over just how much of the structural set up of MI5 and MI6 was due to female intelligence officers. Basically during WW2 we were failing at intelligence work which had become an old boys club for the wealthy and privileged. SOE and other projects meant a radical shift in spy work and we know that it was intelligence where we bested the axis powers. I don’t doubt Kendrick was a key figure, but it was bizarre that people like Virginia Hall was never mentioned, for example. Yes I know it was a different department but you would have thought some comparison with how things were being changed would have made sense. Anyway, an interesting if slightly incomplete read.
Good narrator, engaging and able to bring sense to slightly jumpy text.
This book focuses mostly on the career of Thomas Kendrick, who served British intelligence through three wars and likely revitalised MI6. It was an interesting narrative but due to the paucity in some areas of information (a lot is still classified) there is a fair bit of necessary fudging and vagueness going on. Fry also drops a lot of names without very much explanation. I didn’t find this a hinderance because I’ve read a lot of spy non fic but I imagine it would be very off putting to someone who didn’t have that baseline of knowledge. It’s very noticeable that she seems to be far more interested on male intelligence officers too, and sort of skips over just how much of the structural set up of MI5 and MI6 was due to female intelligence officers. Basically during WW2 we were failing at intelligence work which had become an old boys club for the wealthy and privileged. SOE and other projects meant a radical shift in spy work and we know that it was intelligence where we bested the axis powers. I don’t doubt Kendrick was a key figure, but it was bizarre that people like Virginia Hall was never mentioned, for example. Yes I know it was a different department but you would have thought some comparison with how things were being changed would have made sense. Anyway, an interesting if slightly incomplete read.
December 30, 2021
Wow this book was amazing. I could not put it down, its definitely a really good page turning book full of atmosphere and so thrilling, with exciting information. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator was perfect for this novel and very engaging. He really made learning about history enthralling. This book is so well written and you can tell it has been well researched and that the author has extensive knowledge in this area of history. The flow of the writing was perfect leading to a thoroughly fascinating read. I learnt so much from reading this book. Its easy of the reading and understanding of the information held within its pages made me take in the information more readily. I would go as far as saying its one of the best history books I have read in a long time. The book held a lightness about it as there was no unnecessary facts or overload of facts and information.
I really do recommend this book to every WWII reader out there. I will definitely be looking out for more of this authors works on netgalley.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishers for bringing this magnificent and fact full portrayal of spies during the second World War.
I really do recommend this book to every WWII reader out there. I will definitely be looking out for more of this authors works on netgalley.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishers for bringing this magnificent and fact full portrayal of spies during the second World War.
August 19, 2023
Thomas Joseph Kendrick was one of the few Brits who served in three wars: Boer War, WWI, and WWII. The first half of the book, dealing with Kendrick’s early work and especially his years in pre-war Vienna, is pretty slow going. The WWII narrative really picks up, even though it is still essentially slow. During WWII he built the apparatus for collecting “Humint”. A good deal of his work is still classified, so there are aspects of it that may never be known. Notably, the Hess affair still has question marks around it.
His organization’s work is credited as having been indispensable for the Allied victory in WWII. Like how the Allies knew to bomb Peenemunde was due to secretly-recorded conversations among German generals, who were made to feel comfortable and secure when the whole time their every word was being recorded, transcribed, evaluated for relevance, and rushed to the appropriate operational command when appropriate. A close-to miraculous realization not only of psychological mastery of the enemy, but also of a superbly-honed information machine spitting out highly-digested information in a timely manner.
His organization’s work is credited as having been indispensable for the Allied victory in WWII. Like how the Allies knew to bomb Peenemunde was due to secretly-recorded conversations among German generals, who were made to feel comfortable and secure when the whole time their every word was being recorded, transcribed, evaluated for relevance, and rushed to the appropriate operational command when appropriate. A close-to miraculous realization not only of psychological mastery of the enemy, but also of a superbly-honed information machine spitting out highly-digested information in a timely manner.
September 23, 2023
Fascinating book on the remarkable life of Thomas “Tommy” Joseph Kendrick. While I found the writing sometimes dry, Kendrick’s story left an impression on me, especially on how folks came to view him: a consummate professional and family man who is a fixture in social circles yet appreciated for his discretion and deeply respected by friends and enemies alike. Unfortunately, our history of the Second World War left Kendrick’s efforts from wider public recognition from saving a generation of Austrian Jews during Anschluss to his massive eavesdropping operations on Nazi POWs that made a material impact on the outcome of the war. Fry’s book did justice in capturing the untold legacy of a true spymaster.
November 20, 2022
An overly chatty biography of a man (T. Kendrick), his craft (espionage) and his era (The Edwardian/Georgian reigns).
T'was an enjoyable breeze, even if I occasionally rolled my eyes at claims that intelligence processing on the British side affected the war at anything other than the very margins. I'm firmly in the camp where the outcome of WW2 was decided by the USA and USSR.
Minor complaints aside, I found it enlightening on several aspects of the initial organisation of British intelligence which grants some insight into the continued cosiness of the Five Eyes. I'd tell you the other things I enjoyed, but then I'd have to kill ya o:
T'was an enjoyable breeze, even if I occasionally rolled my eyes at claims that intelligence processing on the British side affected the war at anything other than the very margins. I'm firmly in the camp where the outcome of WW2 was decided by the USA and USSR.
Minor complaints aside, I found it enlightening on several aspects of the initial organisation of British intelligence which grants some insight into the continued cosiness of the Five Eyes. I'd tell you the other things I enjoyed, but then I'd have to kill ya o:
June 13, 2025
From the moment I saw this cover, I knew I would enjoy this book. Something about the title just grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go for almost two years until I could finally read it. I was even more impressed than anticipated!
I grew up with all kinds of spy and war media, but never knew how interconnected the real-life history was. Helen Fry weaves a masterful tapestry of intrigue, study, and findings that are still only scratching the surface of Thomas Kendrick's story. The world owes much to this unsung hero.
Highly recommend this masterpiece for anyone even remotely curious about a true spy and a gentleman.
I grew up with all kinds of spy and war media, but never knew how interconnected the real-life history was. Helen Fry weaves a masterful tapestry of intrigue, study, and findings that are still only scratching the surface of Thomas Kendrick's story. The world owes much to this unsung hero.
Highly recommend this masterpiece for anyone even remotely curious about a true spy and a gentleman.
July 18, 2025
A detailed and rather moving biography of Tommy Kendrick, whose work in bugging conversations between German POWs brought invaluable intelligence during WWII, doubtless saved thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of lives, but went unrecognised because it had to remain secret.
He also risked his life rescuing many Jews from Austria in 1938 and there are efforts to have him recognised as such.
Helen Fry has teased out an enormous amount of hitherto secret information about a man who she claims, probably rightly, was one of the greatest spymasters of the 20th century, yet ended his life with his wife on a tiny pension, surviving on tripe and onions.
He also risked his life rescuing many Jews from Austria in 1938 and there are efforts to have him recognised as such.
Helen Fry has teased out an enormous amount of hitherto secret information about a man who she claims, probably rightly, was one of the greatest spymasters of the 20th century, yet ended his life with his wife on a tiny pension, surviving on tripe and onions.
March 22, 2022
Sometimes a bit disjointed, Helen Fry draws on extensive original research to tell the story of the birth, more or less, of the British intelligence community. She highlights the work of a most remarkable British intelligence officer. Mr. Kendrick’s life sheds light on the development of MI6 itself. Furthermore, this gentleman was one of a very few individuals to serve Britain across three wars, specifically the Boer Wars, World War I and World War Ii. He served in two of these wars working for the British Secret Service. An interesting read worth the time investment for any history buff.
September 2, 2024
Gripping history of Thomas Kendrick, ostensibly the architect of state sponsored espionage for Britain beginning in the Boer War through WWII. He was instrumental in creating and running the British intelligence effort which significantly contributed to winning the war. He sounded like a fun, interesting an insightful fellow. As to character, Fry reports that Kendrick was active in saving Jews from the Holocaust. She weaves the history with documentary evidence and reasonable speculation. Kendrick is now among the people with whom I would like to have had dinner.
December 29, 2021
To be honest I initially thought the book wasn't going anywhere. Not any fault of Helen Fry as there is very limited information available for her to work with in the early years of Kendrick's career. However the story really takes off just before and just after Germany invades Austria and by extension Vienna where the story is set. The story cools a little at this point but then more coal is shovelled into its furnace and the story takes off again in a completely different direction.
October 1, 2023
Excellent spy story which is difficult to tell. The man led a secret life and some parts of it are just not available. Did a superb job in WWII in interrogating German POWs of all ranks. No torture used. Just cleverly putting them at ease and being kind and respectful and bugging very, very thoroughly.
December 27, 2024
Very thoroughly and extensively researched, and admittedly a difficult topic to present in a compelling way, but nonetheless, the content felt dry and dense. Several names were presented with details such as titles or hobbies, only to never be referenced again; many chapters or sections concluded with similar suggestions that 'had it not been for X, surely the outcome would have been different.'
March 26, 2022
*received for free from netgalley for honest review* 3.5, pretty good read, would buy but not sure if i would read again, i would recommend though
August 10, 2022
I found it tedious, I wasn't enjoying it and stopped reading at 14%
Read
May 11, 2023DNF
Dull
Dull
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2024
Fascinating story of the beginnings of MI6, and the ingenious plans that allowed the Allies to defeat Hitler.
November 29, 2025
The many names made the early chapters hard to get through, but continuing on revealed a compelling perspective on the intelligence war and enriched my understanding.
December 15, 2024
British Intelligence operations of the Second World War have been the frequent subject of both scholarly and creative attention, often appearing in popular culture in films such as The Imitation Game and A Call To Spy. Some might argue that there is little left to uncover on the topic, but Helen Fry’s latest book, Spymaster, proves that there is always more to learn. Exploring the dramatic story of ‘spymaster’ Thomas Kendrick, Fry not only shares the extraordinary story of a man largely forgotten in history, but provides new information that challenges the stories we think we know about the past.
Spymaster follows the life of Kendrick over four decades spent working in British Intelligence. Initially working under the guise of a ‘British Passport Officer’ in 1930s Vienna, Kendrick hosted elaborate cocktail parties and socialised with Austrian aristocracy whilst simultaneously running spy networks across Europe that were gathering intelligence about the Soviet and Nazi threats to democracy. Faced with the rise of Nazism, Kendrick worked alongside colleagues to save the lives of thousands of Jews, before escaping back to England himself. The Second World War saw Kendrick use his experience and espionage skills on the Home Front, creating a listening operation that elicited information that would have an impact on the outcome of key moments of the war, including cracking the Enigma Code.
At a time when Churchill was calling for ‘ungentlemanly warfare’, embodied by the Special Operations Executive, Kendrick and his team rebelled and chose ‘gentlemanly warfare’ instead. Rather than conforming to traditional interrogation methods, Kendrick created a ‘secret listening’ system to obtain information from prisoners, whilst also playing on his experience as a gentleman socialite to form bonds with the high-ranking Nazi officials in their custody.
Whilst Fry states that Spymaster is a comprehensive account of Kendrick’s life as the ‘man who saved MI6’, it is much more than this. Rather than exclusively focusing on Kendrick, Fry takes time to tell the stories of other members of his spy network. By sharing their stories, Fry allows the reader to build up a bigger picture, whilst a focus on the women Kendrick worked with offers an opportunity for female voices to be heard. Spymaster successfully balances emphasis on the stories of individuals and the value of their collective experience.
Although much of the material needed to tell a truly comprehensive story of Kendrick’s work has been destroyed, or remains classified, Fry’s extensive original research means she is able to offer more than a glimpse into his life and work. Adding new information to the stories we already know, Fry offers alternative interpretations to some of the key events of the Second World War, whilst also telling completely new stories.
After spending a lifetime dedicated to defending his country, and helping transform British Intelligence, Thomas Kendrick was seemingly forgotten in history. However, Spymaster ensures that he is no longer hidden in plain sight. Kendrick’s life as a gentleman spymaster, and ‘one of the greatest spymasters of the twentieth century’, is finally being revealed and celebrated.
- Review for Aspects of History magazine
Spymaster follows the life of Kendrick over four decades spent working in British Intelligence. Initially working under the guise of a ‘British Passport Officer’ in 1930s Vienna, Kendrick hosted elaborate cocktail parties and socialised with Austrian aristocracy whilst simultaneously running spy networks across Europe that were gathering intelligence about the Soviet and Nazi threats to democracy. Faced with the rise of Nazism, Kendrick worked alongside colleagues to save the lives of thousands of Jews, before escaping back to England himself. The Second World War saw Kendrick use his experience and espionage skills on the Home Front, creating a listening operation that elicited information that would have an impact on the outcome of key moments of the war, including cracking the Enigma Code.
At a time when Churchill was calling for ‘ungentlemanly warfare’, embodied by the Special Operations Executive, Kendrick and his team rebelled and chose ‘gentlemanly warfare’ instead. Rather than conforming to traditional interrogation methods, Kendrick created a ‘secret listening’ system to obtain information from prisoners, whilst also playing on his experience as a gentleman socialite to form bonds with the high-ranking Nazi officials in their custody.
Whilst Fry states that Spymaster is a comprehensive account of Kendrick’s life as the ‘man who saved MI6’, it is much more than this. Rather than exclusively focusing on Kendrick, Fry takes time to tell the stories of other members of his spy network. By sharing their stories, Fry allows the reader to build up a bigger picture, whilst a focus on the women Kendrick worked with offers an opportunity for female voices to be heard. Spymaster successfully balances emphasis on the stories of individuals and the value of their collective experience.
Although much of the material needed to tell a truly comprehensive story of Kendrick’s work has been destroyed, or remains classified, Fry’s extensive original research means she is able to offer more than a glimpse into his life and work. Adding new information to the stories we already know, Fry offers alternative interpretations to some of the key events of the Second World War, whilst also telling completely new stories.
After spending a lifetime dedicated to defending his country, and helping transform British Intelligence, Thomas Kendrick was seemingly forgotten in history. However, Spymaster ensures that he is no longer hidden in plain sight. Kendrick’s life as a gentleman spymaster, and ‘one of the greatest spymasters of the twentieth century’, is finally being revealed and celebrated.
- Review for Aspects of History magazine
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews