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From dastardly disguise to cracking codes, discover the secrets of Second World War spies... and the terrible torture they faced if they got caught.
96 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2009
4 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
About the author
Terry Deary
823 books825 followersA former actor, theatre-director and drama teacher, Deary says he began writing when he was 29. Most famously, he is one of the authors of the Horrible Histories series of books popular among children for their disgusting details, gory information and humorous pictures and among adults for getting children interested in history. Books in the series have been widely translated into other languages and imitated.
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 26, 2016
This book is about spies in the Second World War, their jobs and some interesting facts about them. This book is full of interesting stories and facts and always makes me laugh. It contains information not usually found in other books and I have learnt a lot. If you are interested in spies, this is surely a good start.
October 1, 2013
Now that I have read it I know lots of codes, disguises, weapons and much more! It had stories from World War II that were mind-blowing and interestingly amazing!
March 4, 2015
I love the humor, i loved the illustration i am really enjoying these books and the show. The show is incredible.
Horrible Histories made me like History so much.
Horrible Histories made me like History so much.
December 27, 2019
Wander through the bookstore at the Imperial War Museum and you're likely to spy a book entitled Horrible Histories - Spies. It's a children's book designed to awaken young minds to the horrible history of World War 2 espionage. It does a rather admirable job.
The book is full of all sorts of interesting stories and facts, often related in a rather tongue-in-cheek fashion. For example, regarding Karel Richter, the book has this to say:
" On 14 May 1941 German spy Karel Richter dropped into England on a parachute. He buried the parachute. Sadly crackpot Karel also buried his food supplies by mistake. After two days he was ill with hunger and the police caught him when he was taken to hospital. He was hanged. At least he didn't die hungry."
A few factual errors (date and method of his capture) but on the whole, the account is accurate, and designed to illicit a rueful laugh from the reader. Mind you, after a while, the word play becomes a bit annoying, at least to an adult reader. It might still illicit guffaws and knee-slapping (or LOL's these days) from younger readers.
On page 77, in a chapter entitled Dead Wrong, the authors note the list of enemy spies executed in Britain during World War 2.
The list notes their name, age, execution date, method of execution and location of execution. At the bottom of the page, the authors note:
"The list of enemy spies who got away with it is shorter... because there were none. Some of the captured spies started to spy for Britain instead."
This is, naturally, not altogether accurate. There was at least one spy who escaped detection, Jan Willem Ter Braak (Engelbertus Fukken) and rumours of several others still float around the internet.
On the whole though, if you have a young person whom you want to interest in WW2 espionage, this book is a good start. You also might want to check if the Imperial War Museum still has its exhibit up on Horrible Histories - Spies.
The book is full of all sorts of interesting stories and facts, often related in a rather tongue-in-cheek fashion. For example, regarding Karel Richter, the book has this to say:
" On 14 May 1941 German spy Karel Richter dropped into England on a parachute. He buried the parachute. Sadly crackpot Karel also buried his food supplies by mistake. After two days he was ill with hunger and the police caught him when he was taken to hospital. He was hanged. At least he didn't die hungry."
A few factual errors (date and method of his capture) but on the whole, the account is accurate, and designed to illicit a rueful laugh from the reader. Mind you, after a while, the word play becomes a bit annoying, at least to an adult reader. It might still illicit guffaws and knee-slapping (or LOL's these days) from younger readers.
On page 77, in a chapter entitled Dead Wrong, the authors note the list of enemy spies executed in Britain during World War 2.
The list notes their name, age, execution date, method of execution and location of execution. At the bottom of the page, the authors note:
"The list of enemy spies who got away with it is shorter... because there were none. Some of the captured spies started to spy for Britain instead."
This is, naturally, not altogether accurate. There was at least one spy who escaped detection, Jan Willem Ter Braak (Engelbertus Fukken) and rumours of several others still float around the internet.
On the whole though, if you have a young person whom you want to interest in WW2 espionage, this book is a good start. You also might want to check if the Imperial War Museum still has its exhibit up on Horrible Histories - Spies.
January 17, 2019
This addition to the "Horrible Histories Handbooks" offers anecdotal facts about the espionage of the second World War. Each page tells the secret stories of WWII's spies and all of their "cool codes" and "groovy gadgets" (93).
The author illuminates the gruesome crimes of WWII with an irreverence that might disturb parents and children alike. Jokes can be funny, but the horrible events of war are not to be trifled with. Children ages 10 and up will most likely have the maturity to read about the disturbing acts contained in this short informational novel.
I liked reading more about WWII. No matter how much I research this depressing period of time, I am always surprised by the horrors unique to it.
The author illuminates the gruesome crimes of WWII with an irreverence that might disturb parents and children alike. Jokes can be funny, but the horrible events of war are not to be trifled with. Children ages 10 and up will most likely have the maturity to read about the disturbing acts contained in this short informational novel.
I liked reading more about WWII. No matter how much I research this depressing period of time, I am always surprised by the horrors unique to it.
March 8, 2019
179 - 2019
September 21, 2020
Muy bueno, y más me gustó la aclaración al finalizar para los niños. Es importante recordar lo que la guerra conlleva, gane quién gane.
February 13, 2022
A great read, learnt so much
November 22, 2023
This author should be protected at all costs
April 24, 2014
I really love this book because I now know so many codes, secret weapons, disguises, etc. from this book! It's simply amazing. I really love the humour and all the cartoons in this book. Simply incredible.
June 15, 2011
Tells you all the secret gadgets in this illustrated book. Full of funny and epic illustrations. Another epic book by Terry Deary!
November 27, 2012
A fun and entertaining read. A very enjoyable way to learn about this topic.
September 22, 2013
Horrible histories has to be the best series ever. This handbook is probably the best. Funny and informational
January 13, 2015
Good book.
October 6, 2015
great for spies
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews