Codename Tricycle: The Playboy Double Agent

by Russell Miller

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, World War II, Espionage, War

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Russell Miller (born c. 1938) is a British journalist and author of fifteen books, including biographies of Hugh Hefner, J. Paul Getty and L. Ron Hubbard. While under contract to The Sunday Times Magazine he won four press awards and was voted Writer of the Year by the Society of British Magazine Editors.

Reviews

[Mark Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating story, and well worth reading to learn the incredible-yet-true saga of Dusko Popov, double-agent extraordinaire. With a common appearance and an uncommon store of courage and panache, he convinced the Germans he was perhaps their best agent in Britain, while simultaneously being in actuality Britain's greatest agent in Germany. The only quibble is the book's length and detail. This is an involved story, and the author follows it carefully. If you want a slick, breezy overview this may not be it. Not that this is a dry read, far from it. I repeatedly found myself chuckling at these ridiculous yet factual stories. You will too, I wager.

[Dvora Treisman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is good and clear. What is wonderful is the story -- the person. Dusko Popov was Yugoslavian playboy and the man that James Bond was modelled after, only the kind of spying he did had nothing to do with the Ian Fleming novels. As Popov pointed out and Miller writes, "James Bond wouldn't have lasted forty-eight hours in the real world of espionage." But that doesn't make Popov's story any less interesting or exciting. In fact it is more of both of those because it is all true. And the real world of espionage is much more involved and intricate, involving much more knowledge, memory, and acting than anything Bond took part in.

[John Fulcoly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Amazing that as exuberant a character he was that he also had nerves of steel and was able to survive and be successful against daunting odds. The FBI and Hoover come across as petty and ineffective particularly in handling some early Pearl Harbor intelligence. All in all another good spy adventure under my belt!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything I love in reading. It's full of history and knowledge. It's non fiction but a great read. It's about spies and world war II.

Loved it and have recommended it to so many people. It was a chance find in a warehouse book sale.

[Steve Coscia · Rating 4 out of 5]

World War II enthusiasts will love this book. Dusko Popov was the real deal - a courageous, adventurous and risk-loving double agent. His contributions are legendary.

I learned even more about the Allies' clever use of Enigma. A wonderful slice of history.

[Maggie Jameson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very amusing and interesting. How he failed to be caught is amazing.

[Alistair · Rating 3 out of 5]

i read this after reading 2 other novels about neutral Portugal during WWII . This is advertised as the true story of the double agent who whilst employed by Germany was in fact a double agent working for Gt Britain . Born in Yugoslavia to a wealthy family he worked for the Germans based in Lisbon and also in London and USA as well as trying to protect his family in occupied Yugoslavia .

There is a distinct lack of tension in the book given the situation of the spy Dusko Popov and being a spy used to acting as a double agent , I have suspicion about the veracity of the story and there is a lot of glamorisation of the man himself as a debonair playboy , the model for James Bond ( who isn't ) and someone who warned America about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour . He seemed to me to be quite self interested and very money orientated and I was not convinced about some of the claims . He created his own mythology in my eyes .

There is a lot of detail which is undoubtedly true but I was bored with a lot of the story and never felt involved with Popov and his story .

[Hans Dunkelberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Russell Miller's Codename Tricycle is a comprehensive, clear overview over the story of WWII Yugoslavian double agent Popov's dangerous and glamorous work for the Allies. It's helpfully written in a laconic style; the reader throughout stays engaged because he has to fathom the big picture between the lines. Where it's commendable the author assists with unequivocal clarifications, also, on occasion, with short, repeated hints to the roles of lesser figures.

The book has a very detailed index and a three-page bibliography. The German questionnaire about Pearl Harbor given to the FBI by a Popov thinking that it was an attempt on the side of Hitler to court his Japanese accomplices is included, just like a memorandum of the Britons for Popov on which the latter has based explanations to his German controllers.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an absolutely superb gripping real-life spy thriller, one of the best I have ever read. It is written by a master of the genre - Ben McIntyre - in fact I have read several of his previous offerings and if you care to go his website http://benmacintyre.com/ you will see just how prolific he has been.
I thoroughly recommend this book as ideal holiday reading, but beware you may get into trouble for
not responding when people ask you questions and if you are in a comfortable sun lounge near the pool or beach, make sure you apply extra sunscreen as you will probably get so intent upon what you are reading that you'll ignore the sun and keep reading.

[Mark Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along with Eddie Chapman, Dusan Popov was probably the greatest WW2 British double agent. Supposedly the original James Bond, Popov said Bond wouldn’t have survived 48 hours in the real WW2 spy world. A marvellous story.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating story about a truly interesting man, well written, and easy to read. The author leaves a lot of details out however, that might have made the book more interesting. Although a lot of information is given, there is a distinct lack of suspense through some parts of the story that should be suspenseful, it is almost too matter of fact.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just brilliant. The luck and nerve of these double agents in the war really is amazing. Very enjoyable and gripping book