Secret History of World War II, The: Spies, Code Breakers, and Covert Operations

Purchased this book for a white elephant gift - it arrived a day early and in great condition. Very pleased with this purchase. 🙂

Although I have not yet had a chance to read this book completely, which was a Christmas gift, I have scanned and browsed it and am impressed, as always, with the quality of materials that National Geographic publishes. With a background in military intelligence, I naturally tend to be drawn to this genre of military history, which too often takes a back seat to more dramatic aspects of war. But intelligence--human and electronic--is, and always has been, vital to the success of military campaigns and, ultimately, entire wars themselves. I have read other books by Stephen Hyslop and have found them all to be first-rate.

Secret History of World War II told me a lot I did not know. A movie "The Monuments Men 2014" was based on the facts unearthed in this book and others. What became of all that GOLD?!!

I received two large-format books over the holidays on subjects that fascinate me, and this one is unlike any other history book that I own. In the first place, it is heavily illustrated. There are 730 color photos in this book that measures 9″ by 11″ and is 352 pages long. This gives the book a magazine-like look because many of the photos are used as sidebars. Here is an example of a typical page in the book, reduced in size, of course. The illustration shows a metal Nazi belt buckle that turns into a four-shot gun, one of Himmler’s favorite possessions. The authors suggest that these guns were used for show rather than in actual combat. This book is full of amazing, formerly secret illustrations like this one, including an explosive dead rat, small demolition charges that could derail a locomotive, BEANO hand grenades the size and shape of a baseball, crystal radio receivers the size of small matchboxes, inflatable fake tanks and dummy fighters and bombers to fool aerial surveillance. We also learn about the unsung Allied heroes of the war, from spymasters like Ian Fleming and William Donovan, leader of OSS, to undercover espionage agents like the daring Amy Pack and Virginia Hall. The technology was particularly interesting. For example, the year I was born, 1944, the Colossus Mark 2 was introduced to decipher the German “Tunny” encryption machine, which had evolved from the Enigma devices. The Colossue machine weighed one ton, had 1,500 vacuum tubes and was one of the first electronic digital computers–it lacked only a memory. This book does not go into great detail about individual battles–that would take several books this size. Its subtitle reveals its main goals, to reveal the details about the “Spies, Code Breakers & Covert Operations.” This book is highly recommended.

Bought this for my husband for Christmas and gave it to him early. As a WWII history buff, the book has intrigued him with unknown facts and wartime tactics. Great gift for anyone who has a penchant for history and, in particular, the real happenings during WWII

The photos, people and timeline of this book are great! Could use a little more secret code details.

This is a great book. I got it for an avid WWIIhistory buff, a little worried he'd find it not exciting enough. He hasn't put it down since he opened the present. It shipped really quick too. Thank you!

This was a gift and when opened several people were interested in reading the book. Short entries so you could pick it up and read a little or a lot depending on your time. What I read was interesting and had many entries of events or activities was not aware of. It was a good choice.