Camp X: OSS, Intrepid and the Allies' North American Training Camp for Secret Agents, 1941-1945

by David Stafford

Here, the British, adept at espionage, trained a select group of Americans and prepared them for World War II. This spellbinding account of spies in training has all the suspense and excitement of a first-rate thriller!

Genres: History, Espionage, Nonfiction

327 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

David Alexander Tetlow Stafford is projects director at Edinburgh University's Centre for the Study of the Two World Wars and Leverhulme Emeritus Professor in the University's School of History, Classics and Archaeology.

Stafford took his B.A. at Downing College, Cambridge in 1963. He then undertook postgraduate study at the University of London, taking an M.A. and finally his Ph.D. in history in 1968.

Beginning his career with government service, Stafford served in the British Diplomatic Service as a third secretary at the Foreign Office from 1967 to 1968, and then as second secretary in 1968. He then took up an appointment as research associate (1968–70) at the Centre of International Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

He then became assistant professor of history (1970–76) at Canada's University of Victoria in British Columbia. He was promoted to associate professor of history (1976–82) and finally professor of history (1982–84). He then became director of studies (1985–86) and executive director (1986–92) at the Canadian Institute of International Affairs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. From 1992 to 2000 Stafford became a visiting professor at Edinburgh University's Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, and then, from 2000, he became projects director at the Centre for the Study of the Two World Wars.

Stafford is particularly noted for his scholarly works concerning Winston Churchill and British intelligence, various aspects of the Second World War, and Twentieth Century intelligence and espionage with a focus on Britain. He now resides in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

He is a regular book reviewer, appearing in The Times (London), BBC History Magazine, The Spectator, The Times Literary Supplement, The New York Times, the Times Herald Tribune (Paris), and Saturday Night and the Globe and Mail (Toronto).

Reviews

[Anthony David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely dry read. Extraordinary insight into commando tactics intelligence gathering and the instigation of modern hearts and minds warfare. I additionally like ld learning that Ian Fleming was aloud a two week training sabbatical at Camp X.

This book can give insight into the current of geo-politics and the ways of "getting things done"

Must read opens the eyes of the civilian.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would start this and put it down and move on to some other books Because it could be a bit of a dry read at times . It’s very detailed And certainly has quite a few interesting bits .
It’s a great book if you want a lot of historical information with some interesting stories .

[Jean Darroch · Rating 1 out of 5]

I ususally like history books but found this one hard to read and was all over the place.

[Darren Sapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough telling that reads like an academic piece.

[Brian Fields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. If you enjoy World War II history this gives you a look into the espionage side of the war