The Enigma

by Michael Bar-Zohar, Michael Barak

Signet J 8920 1st Signet printing 1980 softcover 200pp.

Genres: Historical Fiction

240 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Professor Michael Bar-Zohar (Hebrew: מיכאל בר-זהר) was a member of Knesset (Labour) and wrote the official biography of David Ben Gurion. He has written thirty non-fiction books, and has been translated into sixteen languages, winning many international prizes. He is currently working on a biography of Shimon Peres.

Has written under the pseudonym Michael Barak.

Reviews

[Lisa]

I love old-school espionage fiction so this one hit all the right buttons for me. (I had no clue that it had been made into a movie but I'm not surprised.) This has fictional characters interspersed with historical figures but I was confused about the goal of stealing an Enigma machine from the Germans. This book is set right before D-Day and I knew the Allies had an Enigma machine back in 1939. The author knew more than me...go figure, and I learned a lot of fascinating information. The passages on the torturing techniques used on the Resistance fighters by the Nazis were difficult for me to read, as they should be. This was a great read which I highly recommend.

[Aravind]

This is a highly enjoyable spy thriller set in the times of World War 2. It has all the ingredients that make a fun thriller - colourful characters and fast action, put together with some fine twists. My only complaint is that this book is way too short; it could easily have been of twice the size with no loss of fun. I liked it a lot, in spite of the few unbelievable sequences and the shortness.

[Lee Rushton]

Fun, historical fiction. Alludes to numerous factual events that help with the suspension of disbelief. It is a quick read that keeps the reader interested.

[Myint San]

Very enjoyable book , double cross even more crosses,
Thanks

[Amitai Sandy]

A great classic, reads like a fast paced thriller/action/espionage movie.
Very much recommended.

[Veeral]

A short, unpretentious book about Allied spies on a mission to steal German Enigma. Yeah, there is no character development but regardless, I love this book.

[Masayuki Arai]

in vain :(