Code Name Delilah: Allied Military Forces and Intelligence Services Gather in London 1939-1942

by Donald de Brier, Donald P. de Brier (Aka)

London at the Crossroads of WWII, aptly called the “Wizard War”
Set in London during the early years of World War II, Code Name Delilah weaves a cast of fictional characters with very noteworthy historic figures to capture the events of 1939 through 1942, when an international coalition of nations supporting Great Britain began to pull together to defeat the Axis Powers. Carefully researched and historically grounded, Code Name Delilah relates some new insights and perspectives regarding that unprecedented rapid gathering of extraordinary people, massive industrial production facilities, widely diverse military forces, breathtaking scientific and technological advancements, critical military intelligence capabilities and Ultra Secret cyber security achievements, all of which coalesced in London.

The novel elevates and honors contributions from well-known and lesser-known men and women who were tasked collectively with defeating the Axis Powers. This was a seemingly insurmountable assignment, but the escalating brutality, inhumanity and perfidy of the Axis Powers gave the Allies no other choice.

Their ultimate total Victory was nonnegotiable.

Genres: Historical Fiction

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2022

About the author

Donald P. de Brier is an avid military historian with a legal and military background. He graduated from Princeton University with a degree in history and was then commissioned as a lieutenant in the US Navy. He served aboard a US destroyer, with temporary additional duties on several military intelligence projects.

He then graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Law and began practicing law in a large New York law firm, which firm had once been chaired by a former Director of the CIA. The author later spent four years in London working for British Petroleum where he retained some of his connections to the British and US military intelligence. During his years of law practice, he was recognized as a leader in the recruitment, training, and advancement of women in law and business organizations.

The author’s father was a US lawyer who volunteered for the New Jersey National Guard in 1936. His Guard unit was called to active duty in September 1940. After the US entered WWII, he rose to become Inspector General of the US Army Air Force Training Command headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the largest command in the military establishment at that time. He assisted in the preparation of the treatise, “Experience of the Air Force in Individual Training during WWII.” He was later awarded the Legion of Merit by the United States Air Force for his accomplishments.

Reviews

[Ian A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following American Robert Johnston, readers dive into upscale European life amid the early years of World War II. Hannah Hanauer, a German Jewish refugee, is the first individual to cross paths with our protagonist, making her mark by standing up for other Jewish refugees being forced out of a British bomb shelter during the Blitz. The four year campaign introduces Lieutenant Sarah Leach, her relationship to MI5, MI6, and her growing work and personal relationship with Robert. The story focuses on the American and British intelligence agencies helping guide political leaders and Military officials design strategies that will win the war, and their struggles throughout.

Like a spider, Donald de Brier spins a silky web of working and personal relationships with his main character from the very beginning. Every interaction Robert faces connects more dots on an intricate page of intelligence agencies and their leaders. The novel gives a meticulous insider viewpoint of the war from an intelligence perspective and molds that into a lovely work of historical fiction. The preface is extremely informative surrounding the general knowledge of World War II and gives a clear perspective to consuming the work. The acknowledgements were genuine and special to anyone with family surrounded in the mess we know as the second world war. The personal and professional relationships between men and women were accurately portrayed for the time period along with appropriate character development keeping imagination active throughout the length of the material.

Code Name Delilah is directed toward a specific audience interested in the details of battles, Allied and Axis relationships, and a few political ideals surrounding World War II. The secondary love story and strong, outspoken female side character are a satisfying cloud nine between the accurately portrayed gloom of war. Readers of military historical fiction should unquestionably check this book out!

[Mary Kay Wooten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delilah

This was an interesting book about the early days of US intelligence gathering. Code Name Delilah is set in England during the early days of World War 2 up through 1942. I found de Brier's style of writing a bit stilted & did not flow well for me. I do not ever not read the complete book once I start it, so I persevered & became adjusted to de Brier's style of writing. My next book to read is book 2 in the Delilah series.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads win for me. I enjoy this genre and I enjoyed this book. I liked how fictional characters were included with real people. It was easier to get invested in the story when it had people I have learned about in the past.

[Daryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Difficult to Put Down

An excellent story that easily blends the fictional characters with real life events and personalities during World War II. It was difficult to put down as I was very interested and drawn into what would happen next. Looking forward to the continuing story!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story. I like the WWII genre and it gave me a different side to their fighting and surviving.

[I-Wa · Rating 4 out of 5]

very educational

It was an interesting lesson in WWII, but it was hard to keep track of the many players. I never did figure out how Robert got in the middle of the storyline.

[Nancy Mcclenathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading historical World War II novels, and this book was no exception. Taking place primarily in England during the early years of World War Ii, my favorite character was Hannah, an outspoken Jewish refugee.

Thank you for the free digital copy of this novel.

[Donald Brier]

Adding a review from a friend: "Donald de Brier's compelling story sweeps the reader from Top Secret meetings in Whitehall to the battlefields of North Africa, over the bombed-out cities of Germany, and onto the beaches of Normandy. It's a terrific read.”
-- Bayley Silleck, Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker

I couldn't have put it better...

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read!