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The Man Who Never Was: The Remarkable Story of Operation Mincemeat
The Man Who Never Was provides an exciting and accurate record of the counter-intelligence conspiracy, Operation Mincemeat, which paved the way for the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943.
189 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
February 5, 2025
Brilliant.
April 18, 2023
My reading of this, Ewen Montagu’s account [the man who commanded Operation Mincemeat], suggests that Ewen Montagu had NO sense of the dramatic. If anything, as is true of many of those who stood tall in the days of need [Captain Alexander Hill, Sir Paul Dukes, and others], Ewen Montagu comes over as staid and humble.
Yet, Macintyre in his book (Operation Mincemeat) states: “If my discovery of these papers [documents kept by Ewen Montagu from his war-days and handed to Macintyre by his son] reads like something out of a spy film, that may be no accident: Montagu himself had a rich sense of the dramatic. He [Ewen Montagu] must have known they [the documents] would be found one day.”
Macintyre also suggests that Ewen Montagu’s account is incomplete, written at the behest of the Government, conceals facts, and is deliberately misleading.
I found this to be anything but.
Ewen Montagu does mention early on how prior to his writing, information regarding Operation Mincemeat was doing-the rounds and the establishment felt that, now the war was won, it was acceptable for the truth behind what happened to be put to paper. Ewen Montagu admits that names are withheld because some are still working within government departments and the birth name of the corpse is withheld, as was correct, bearing in mind the time of writing.
Is that an effort to dissuade us from parting with our hard-earned shekels? After all, Ewen Montagu’s account is incomplete and written at the behest of the Government [to hide the truth from the plebeian].
Nothing in this is concealed or written to be deliberately misleading.
This is the true, full and unembellished account of ‘Operation Mincemeat’. In 14pt font, with pictures and drawings, it is but 170 pages. And, gives the reader a far better sense of how the deception was, in TRUTH, carried out.
If you crave for a TRUE sense of what happened - read this.
Yet, Macintyre in his book (Operation Mincemeat) states: “If my discovery of these papers [documents kept by Ewen Montagu from his war-days and handed to Macintyre by his son] reads like something out of a spy film, that may be no accident: Montagu himself had a rich sense of the dramatic. He [Ewen Montagu] must have known they [the documents] would be found one day.”
Macintyre also suggests that Ewen Montagu’s account is incomplete, written at the behest of the Government, conceals facts, and is deliberately misleading.
I found this to be anything but.
Ewen Montagu does mention early on how prior to his writing, information regarding Operation Mincemeat was doing-the rounds and the establishment felt that, now the war was won, it was acceptable for the truth behind what happened to be put to paper. Ewen Montagu admits that names are withheld because some are still working within government departments and the birth name of the corpse is withheld, as was correct, bearing in mind the time of writing.
Is that an effort to dissuade us from parting with our hard-earned shekels? After all, Ewen Montagu’s account is incomplete and written at the behest of the Government [to hide the truth from the plebeian].
Nothing in this is concealed or written to be deliberately misleading.
This is the true, full and unembellished account of ‘Operation Mincemeat’. In 14pt font, with pictures and drawings, it is but 170 pages. And, gives the reader a far better sense of how the deception was, in TRUTH, carried out.
If you crave for a TRUE sense of what happened - read this.
January 27, 2019
Incredible story ... a remarkable (OK, jaw dropping) slice of military history ... a unique author ... and a quick, fun read. I can't remember the last time I read a piece of military history and, every few pages, felt like exclaiming: you have GOT to be KIDDING me!!! ... and couldn't stop turning the pages....
Yup, truth is stranger than fiction.
I found this 55-year old paperback (seriously, Bantam Books, 40 cents*) in my to-read pile, and, for the life of me, can't remember if I bought it (new, as a kid ... or used, at a used book sale?), if it was given to me, how it came into my possession (hmmm, was this one of the many military-themed titles I picked up when my dad passed away?) or how it survived so many bookshelf purges over the years.... But I'm ecstatic that I found it and started it... because once I started it, I couldn't put it down.
But, what ... a ... story! I can't disagree with the NY TIMES that Operation Mincemeat was the "most brilliant and audacious counter-intelligence plot since the Trojan Horse," nor would I disagree with TIME magazine that this is "one of the most bizarre stories of deception in [no longer so] recent military history." But ... but ... but ... it's so audacious that I can't count the number of times I laughed out loud ... and, apparently, it's all true.
Side note: apparently, the story is retold, at three times the length (so, presumably, in more detail), in a 2010 book titled: Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory ... but I haven't read that (and, frankly, there's a certain joy in reading Montagu's sparse, tight, yet, almost light and airy, autobiographical retelling of the tale with more than a fair share of modesty and self-congratulation, all of which seemed both fully justified and, surprisingly, endearing).
I'm glad that, for whatever reason, I kept the book for all these years ... and finally read it. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys (either) military history or spy/espionage fiction. (Frankly, it's crazier, and, at a minimum, less conventional, than most spy fiction I've read over the years.) Again, it's a remarkable story and an informative, entertaining period piece.
*Pointless reviewer's addendum: the oldest edition of the book, with the same cover art as on my edition, that I found on Goodreads was this one, but, upon closer examination, this edition was sold for a whopping 75 cents, whereas my copy was still a bargain, at only 40 cents....
Yup, truth is stranger than fiction.
I found this 55-year old paperback (seriously, Bantam Books, 40 cents*) in my to-read pile, and, for the life of me, can't remember if I bought it (new, as a kid ... or used, at a used book sale?), if it was given to me, how it came into my possession (hmmm, was this one of the many military-themed titles I picked up when my dad passed away?) or how it survived so many bookshelf purges over the years.... But I'm ecstatic that I found it and started it... because once I started it, I couldn't put it down.
But, what ... a ... story! I can't disagree with the NY TIMES that Operation Mincemeat was the "most brilliant and audacious counter-intelligence plot since the Trojan Horse," nor would I disagree with TIME magazine that this is "one of the most bizarre stories of deception in [no longer so] recent military history." But ... but ... but ... it's so audacious that I can't count the number of times I laughed out loud ... and, apparently, it's all true.
Side note: apparently, the story is retold, at three times the length (so, presumably, in more detail), in a 2010 book titled: Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory ... but I haven't read that (and, frankly, there's a certain joy in reading Montagu's sparse, tight, yet, almost light and airy, autobiographical retelling of the tale with more than a fair share of modesty and self-congratulation, all of which seemed both fully justified and, surprisingly, endearing).
I'm glad that, for whatever reason, I kept the book for all these years ... and finally read it. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys (either) military history or spy/espionage fiction. (Frankly, it's crazier, and, at a minimum, less conventional, than most spy fiction I've read over the years.) Again, it's a remarkable story and an informative, entertaining period piece.
*Pointless reviewer's addendum: the oldest edition of the book, with the same cover art as on my edition, that I found on Goodreads was this one, but, upon closer examination, this edition was sold for a whopping 75 cents, whereas my copy was still a bargain, at only 40 cents....
September 9, 2024
Brilliant!
A brilliant operation, conceived by a brilliant mind, executed brilliantly and told by the man himself.
No hype.
No dramatisation.
No playing with the truth of the matter.
Just the facts.
But then, people of Ewen Montagu's ilk are refrained, humble, and of few words.
Brilliant!
A brilliant operation, conceived by a brilliant mind, executed brilliantly and told by the man himself.
No hype.
No dramatisation.
No playing with the truth of the matter.
Just the facts.
But then, people of Ewen Montagu's ilk are refrained, humble, and of few words.
Brilliant!
July 21, 2024
I read Operation Mincemeat and thought that was fantasmagorical. John advised I give this a peek. It does, from the man who ran the show, shed a, I think, a more humble, candid, light on the goings-on.
Also, just as fantasmagorical.
Also, just as fantasmagorical.
February 5, 2019
A true thriller of WW2 about a single misdirection purposely launched by the British, that only had a slightly better chance than a snowball in Hell
of succeeding. A gem of a read!
of succeeding. A gem of a read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2009
I saw this one at the used book store and the first few paragraphs sounded interesting. I just found out it's one of the original 1953 publishing...sort of cool. It's sat on my shelf for over a year, but finally I picked it up. When a book starts off with "But where could we find a body?", you know it's going to be great.
This one doesn't disappoint. The book follows a little known bit of espionage during the Mediterranean campaign of WWII. Essentially, the Brits float a body ashore to Spain, knowing that the Germans will get it and, more importantly, the letters he's carrying which are rife with misdirection. Seems like a simple plan, but it proves to be much more difficult than originally imagined.
It's a fascinating book told by the very man who thought up the plot and saw it through. Although I'd never heard the story, it actually played a real part in the events of the war. For the few hours it will take to read, it's worth every minute and more. I was sorry when it came to an end.
This one doesn't disappoint. The book follows a little known bit of espionage during the Mediterranean campaign of WWII. Essentially, the Brits float a body ashore to Spain, knowing that the Germans will get it and, more importantly, the letters he's carrying which are rife with misdirection. Seems like a simple plan, but it proves to be much more difficult than originally imagined.
It's a fascinating book told by the very man who thought up the plot and saw it through. Although I'd never heard the story, it actually played a real part in the events of the war. For the few hours it will take to read, it's worth every minute and more. I was sorry when it came to an end.
March 12, 2023
I've seen the 1956 film ....... 'The Man Who Never Was'. I've yet to watch the latest, Colin Firth, take on events (Operation Mincemeat).
Ewen Montagu (the author) is the man who came up with the idea and oversaw Operation Mincemeat. It is said, the government of the time (1950's) asked Montagu to put pen to paper in an effort to put the true record out there: a fictional account based upon Operation Mincemeat (Operation Heartbreak: 1950) was already on the shelves.
The motto 'Who Dares Wins' used by special forces around the world was first used, it is said, in an Arabic fairy tale during medieval times and translates to 'He Who Dares Wins'.
The badge I would say belongs equally to those of NID 17M (Naval intelligence Department 17 M), commanded by Ewen Montagu and Charles Cholmondeley.
A great read, I'm trying to convince myself that my praise is for the work and not in part from the fact that the author was the man of the moment.
Ewen Montagu (the author) is the man who came up with the idea and oversaw Operation Mincemeat. It is said, the government of the time (1950's) asked Montagu to put pen to paper in an effort to put the true record out there: a fictional account based upon Operation Mincemeat (Operation Heartbreak: 1950) was already on the shelves.
The motto 'Who Dares Wins' used by special forces around the world was first used, it is said, in an Arabic fairy tale during medieval times and translates to 'He Who Dares Wins'.
The badge I would say belongs equally to those of NID 17M (Naval intelligence Department 17 M), commanded by Ewen Montagu and Charles Cholmondeley.
A great read, I'm trying to convince myself that my praise is for the work and not in part from the fact that the author was the man of the moment.
February 13, 2024
Brilliant to read.
The world of the spiral thinker.
The world of the spiral thinker.
February 4, 2016
In the summer of 1943, the Allies were planning to invade Sicily. The job of the British counterintelligence division was to convince Germany that they weren't. The idea of "Operation Mincemeat" was born out of a long-shot idea that slowly turned into a plausible and ultimately successful con of the highest levels of the German miliary.
Operation Mincemeat? Great name, huh? The bare bones of the idea: get a dead man and plant some papers on him that hopefully the Germans will end up having access to and be convinced of some "secret strategic plans," thus moving the German army AWAY from Sicily to somewhere else.
Brilliant. And a huge long shot. This true story, written by the man in the thick of the preparations and execution of this effort, is a fascinating one. It involves so many different people and is such a delicious web of deceit. As a non-military person, it's completely readable (very little skimming needed) and it's such a thin volume that I read it in a few short sittings. I have so much more respect now for those behind the scenes, creatively saving as many lives as possible and directly influencing the outcome of a hideous war. I also appreciated how much respect Monatgu and his fellow agents had for "the man who never was," I really enjoyed learning about how they created his persona.
A very interesting read.
Operation Mincemeat? Great name, huh? The bare bones of the idea: get a dead man and plant some papers on him that hopefully the Germans will end up having access to and be convinced of some "secret strategic plans," thus moving the German army AWAY from Sicily to somewhere else.
Brilliant. And a huge long shot. This true story, written by the man in the thick of the preparations and execution of this effort, is a fascinating one. It involves so many different people and is such a delicious web of deceit. As a non-military person, it's completely readable (very little skimming needed) and it's such a thin volume that I read it in a few short sittings. I have so much more respect now for those behind the scenes, creatively saving as many lives as possible and directly influencing the outcome of a hideous war. I also appreciated how much respect Monatgu and his fellow agents had for "the man who never was," I really enjoyed learning about how they created his persona.
A very interesting read.
January 29, 2024
Colin Firth may have starred in this story's latest film adaptation, but the first-hand account, without Hollywood's embellishments, was much more interesting. Concisely told, it relays the facts regarding "Operation Mincemeat," in which the British used a dead body to leak false information to the Germans in order to disguise an Allied invasion of Sicily. You know, like drawing Sauron's attention to the Black Gate in The Return of the King so that Frodo can make it through Mordor. There is a much longer work of nonfiction on the subject which I don't plan to read since this version is by no means lacking.
May 9, 2011
I begin my day by wasting time on Wikipedia looking for obscure historical events or uncelebrated birthdays. One fine day last week I saw an entry for "Operation Mincemeat" in their "Did You Know...?" section. I read further and discovered this book, which is the history of an unusual spy operation during World War II.
Published in 1953, it was written by the British intelligence officer who devised a cunning plan to trick the Germans into diverting their forces to Sardinia and Greece while the Allies invaded Sicily instead. His plan was to place false intelligence documents on a body - ostensibly the victim of an airplane crash at sea- and let it wash up on the shore in Spain. It was hoped that the Spanish would recover the papers and dutifully pass the information along to the Germans, and that is exactly what happened. They took the bait and diverted huge forces into the wrong places, enabling the Allies to land on Sicily with fewer casualties. The most intriguing part of the operation was not so much the military ruse, but the creation of a life, personality and career for a civilian who had died of pneumonia. In addition to bogus war documents, he carried with him love letters from a fictitious fiancee, a rather disapproving missive from his father and a nasty letter from his bank.
I usually avoid spy stories because they are difficult for me to follow. However, this book is mercifully succinct and the narrative is fast-moving.
Published in 1953, it was written by the British intelligence officer who devised a cunning plan to trick the Germans into diverting their forces to Sardinia and Greece while the Allies invaded Sicily instead. His plan was to place false intelligence documents on a body - ostensibly the victim of an airplane crash at sea- and let it wash up on the shore in Spain. It was hoped that the Spanish would recover the papers and dutifully pass the information along to the Germans, and that is exactly what happened. They took the bait and diverted huge forces into the wrong places, enabling the Allies to land on Sicily with fewer casualties. The most intriguing part of the operation was not so much the military ruse, but the creation of a life, personality and career for a civilian who had died of pneumonia. In addition to bogus war documents, he carried with him love letters from a fictitious fiancee, a rather disapproving missive from his father and a nasty letter from his bank.
I usually avoid spy stories because they are difficult for me to follow. However, this book is mercifully succinct and the narrative is fast-moving.
October 21, 2024
I enjoyed this quick, intriguing read. This whole operation was new to me, and to hear it from the perspective of the main engineer was fascinating.
Briefly put, his team took a body and created a man who never actually existed. They planted evidence, personal effects, bills, etc, and allowed this body with a fake identity to wash ashore and be found by the Germans. I could not believe the detail that they put into the formation of this fake man— they so credibly created this fake person that the Germans moved panzer divisions, troops, U-boats, and more to go stop the cover attack that this man carried info on. Letters have been found indicating that the German High Command, including Hitler, so totally believed this false evidence that even after the Allies attacked their real target of Sicily, the Germans kept waiting for the supposed attacks to take place.
Briefly put, his team took a body and created a man who never actually existed. They planted evidence, personal effects, bills, etc, and allowed this body with a fake identity to wash ashore and be found by the Germans. I could not believe the detail that they put into the formation of this fake man— they so credibly created this fake person that the Germans moved panzer divisions, troops, U-boats, and more to go stop the cover attack that this man carried info on. Letters have been found indicating that the German High Command, including Hitler, so totally believed this false evidence that even after the Allies attacked their real target of Sicily, the Germans kept waiting for the supposed attacks to take place.
December 23, 2025
It was in Sicily whilst having a tour of the WWII casemates and learning of the allied landings that I heard about Operation Mincemeat and was recommended the film “Operation Mincemeat”, 2021 (which is rather poor). From that I learnt of a previous film “The Man Who Never Was”, 1956 (which is rather good). Thus I was lead in turn to this book. It is an incredulous story: were it not real, I would scoff at its plausibility. The author - whose idea the whole thing was - tells the story matter-of-factly but not without a sense of humour and understandable pride.
January 1, 2018
Espionage thriller based on the true story of an intelligence officer who plans an elaborate hoax to fool the Nazis into thinking the Allies are about to invade Greece, not Sicily.
March 29, 2020
Avevo questo libro sullo scaffale da anni ormai, trovato chissà dove e chissà quando.
Non ero molto convinta dato che si presentava nella solita edizione tascabile da quattro soldi e uscita sotto una casa editrice sconosciuta, ma mi sono ricreduta, è stata una piacevole sorpresa.
Mi ha subito incuriosita la trama, quando poi si tratta di fatti realmente accaduti, in particolari periodi storici, non posso proprio farne a meno. Mi piace scoprire la verità, piccoli fatti tenuti nascosti.
5 stelle bc "mai giudicare un libro dalla copertina" ...o dalla casa editrice!
Non ero molto convinta dato che si presentava nella solita edizione tascabile da quattro soldi e uscita sotto una casa editrice sconosciuta, ma mi sono ricreduta, è stata una piacevole sorpresa.
Mi ha subito incuriosita la trama, quando poi si tratta di fatti realmente accaduti, in particolari periodi storici, non posso proprio farne a meno. Mi piace scoprire la verità, piccoli fatti tenuti nascosti.
5 stelle bc "mai giudicare un libro dalla copertina" ...o dalla casa editrice!
January 13, 2014
I read this in junior high school and was fascinated by the whole idea and execution. Brilliant story, told well and with many useful illustrations. It is the story of how the British found a corpse, added false identification and false information for the Nazi's to find and believe, which they did. It made them change battle plans and allowed the Allies to carry out operations with less interference from the Germans and Italians than otherwise. I read it several times and it inspired me to become involved in anthropology. Maybe old-fashioned, but it is history and not fiction - it is better than fiction.
June 3, 2017
This is a great story well told by the man who lived it. Ewen Montagu's story is a classic in deciept and a must read for anyone interested in intelligence. This is a must read for anyone interested in World War II.
October 21, 2025
After reading The Enigma Girls early this year, I was curious about Operation Mincemeat, which got a passing mention in that book. Mom remembered this story from years ago, so I was glad to finally take the time to read it!
What a fascinating story! It’s not a long read, and I would have been able to finish it in an afternoon if I had the time. Besides the fact that this is a part of history I’ve never heard before (which was interesting in itself), I was intrigued by the layers of complexity the planners of this operation had to go through to finally arrive at their final goal. Montagu spent several chapters detailing the different aspects of everything they had to think through—from the particular wording of the documents the man had with him, to more simple things like what he should be carrying in his pockets to make him seem like a real person to the Germans (even though he was in reality a fictitious character!).
If you enjoy learning about historical events, even if you aren’t particularly interested in the ins and outs of warfare (which I’m not interested in!), I’d recommend you check this book out. It was a fascinating read, well worth taking the time for.
What a fascinating story! It’s not a long read, and I would have been able to finish it in an afternoon if I had the time. Besides the fact that this is a part of history I’ve never heard before (which was interesting in itself), I was intrigued by the layers of complexity the planners of this operation had to go through to finally arrive at their final goal. Montagu spent several chapters detailing the different aspects of everything they had to think through—from the particular wording of the documents the man had with him, to more simple things like what he should be carrying in his pockets to make him seem like a real person to the Germans (even though he was in reality a fictitious character!).
If you enjoy learning about historical events, even if you aren’t particularly interested in the ins and outs of warfare (which I’m not interested in!), I’d recommend you check this book out. It was a fascinating read, well worth taking the time for.
June 3, 2020
An incredible story which would have been better if written by someone with more of a flair for creating thrill and suspense (not a criticism of Montagu). As this was written only ten years after Operation Mincemeat took place (as a request from the government after details and rumours of the operation started filtering out into society) it does withhold details which were classified at the time such as Major William Martin’s real identity and the steps they took to identify whether the letter he had been carrying had been opened and re-sealed by the Spanish authorities and/or the German High Command. As such I would recommend listening to one of the podcasts out there which provide more of an exciting account as well as going into more character detail (there were numerous eccentric types involved in the operation) before reading this book for a first hand account of what occurred.
June 1, 2025
a hilarious account of a british intelligence mission I found out about thanks to the musical based on said mission, operation mincemeat. thought it would be interesting to see what ewen montagu had to say and it sure was lol that man was hilarious. I'm sure there are several inaccuracies bc montagu describes everything that went well as thanks to him and him alone and everyone else as not having the flair for the dramatic that he has. I kind of love him just for the sheer amount of times he mentions that he would have been disappointed if the nazis hadn't checked anything because he didn't want his artisanal bullshit to go to waste.
September 7, 2025
An account of Operation Mincemeat, written by the man who headed the team; and it certainly was a great team. What stuck me is how they, the team, managed to get people to buy into the scheme. If you believe in something, I assume it would be easier to put the energy behind trying to convince others of your idea.
The idea put forward and given the operation name of Mincemeat on paper could only have been seen as cockamamie yet, the team bought into it and they pulled it off. This is a full and detailed account and told by a sober and sensible man.
The idea put forward and given the operation name of Mincemeat on paper could only have been seen as cockamamie yet, the team bought into it and they pulled it off. This is a full and detailed account and told by a sober and sensible man.
June 7, 2025
Operation Mincemeat - written by the man who actually ran the op. Thankfully, in this account, we are spared what the fisherman who found the body floating in the briny actually thought at that time.
This is the nuts and bolts of the op and it makes for riveting reading.
This is the nuts and bolts of the op and it makes for riveting reading.
Read
September 24, 2023A great read after having read Macintyres more comprehensive telling. I enjoyed the secrecy Montagu had to use when he published this.
January 6, 2025
Completely fascinating. There are so many things that had to go perfectly for this to work. It’s a completely true story, and I enjoyed learning about this history.
June 19, 2025
Small interesting read, however I think a ghost writer might have made a better job. it felt very much like word salad in some areas and quite hard to read due to the feeling of needing to be padded out..I myself am guilty of this at times. Improved towards the middle of the book, not without merit.
April 12, 2023
The true account of Operation Mincemeat, told by 'the man who was' Operation Mincemeat.
Much, much better than the film.
Bereft of all the fiction: the spice today's filmmakers have convinced us over years and years and years we all need, must have, are addicted to.
Much, much better than the film.
Bereft of all the fiction: the spice today's filmmakers have convinced us over years and years and years we all need, must have, are addicted to.
October 7, 2017
Mincemeat swallowed whole
The Man Who Never Was is the book chronicling one of the most successful deception plans of World War II. Its role in the invasion of Sicily in the summer of 1943 cannot be denied. We learn of the exacting detail involved in such an operation and that even with precise and meticulous planning and execution an element of luck is needed for total success. I recall the words of Branch Rickey, one of the greatest baseball executives in the history of the game who said, LUCK IS THE RESIDUE OF DESIGN. Such was the case with Operation Mincemeat.
I would encourage you to watch the movie of the same title, starring Clifton Webb. Elements of the book crop into the movie but parts of it are fictional as far as can be determined. A repeated theme throughout the book is the genuineness of the letters carried by Major William Martin. The focus of the movie from the German side was the genuineness of the man. That part in the plot certainly could have happened.
Four stars
The Man Who Never Was is the book chronicling one of the most successful deception plans of World War II. Its role in the invasion of Sicily in the summer of 1943 cannot be denied. We learn of the exacting detail involved in such an operation and that even with precise and meticulous planning and execution an element of luck is needed for total success. I recall the words of Branch Rickey, one of the greatest baseball executives in the history of the game who said, LUCK IS THE RESIDUE OF DESIGN. Such was the case with Operation Mincemeat.
I would encourage you to watch the movie of the same title, starring Clifton Webb. Elements of the book crop into the movie but parts of it are fictional as far as can be determined. A repeated theme throughout the book is the genuineness of the letters carried by Major William Martin. The focus of the movie from the German side was the genuineness of the man. That part in the plot certainly could have happened.
Four stars
March 29, 2022
The true to life WWII story of how the Allies used a floating dead body to convince the Germans that a naval invasion was not going to occur in Sicily (it was). They had to invent an entire back story for "Major Martin" (the dead man) to give him authenticity in order to fool the enemy. It makes for an interesting read.
Apparently, there is a more recent, lengthier version of this story available, but I found this concise account by the actual head of the team that put together this successful scheme to be very satisfying.
Apparently, there is a more recent, lengthier version of this story available, but I found this concise account by the actual head of the team that put together this successful scheme to be very satisfying.
October 29, 2020
This is a remarkable story told within 10 years of the events by the man who led the effort to deceive the Germans into thinking the attack on Sicily was to be a feint while the real attack came elsewhere. Operation Mincemeat by Ben MacIntyre written several years ago tells the complete story using the declassified files to detail the step by step process used for the deception plan. Montagu tells the main events and provides detail when possible but is restrained by the Official Secrets Act and his personal commitment to "Major Martin's family". All in all, the tale reads like a work of fiction but is true throughout. What imagination and creativity! Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews