The Secret History of World War II

Spies, Code Breakers, & Covert Operations

By: Neil Kagan, Stephen G. Hyslop

Narrated by: Andrew Reilly

Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

From spy missions to code breaking, this account of the covert operations of World War II takes listeners behind the battle lines and deep into the undercover war effort that changed the course of history.

From the authors who created Eyewitness to World War II and numerous other best-selling reference books, this is the shocking story behind the covert activity that shaped the outcome of one of the world's greatest conflicts - and the destiny of millions of people. National Geographic's landmark book illuminates World War II as never before by taking you inside the secret lives of spies and spymasters; secret agents and secret armies; Enigma machines and code breakers; psychological warfare and black propaganda; secret weapons and secret battle strategies. Seven narrative chapters reveal the truth behind the lies and deception that shaped the "secret war". Renowned historian and top-selling author Stephen Hyslop and Neil Kagan reveal this little-known side of the war in captivating detail, weaving in extraordinary eyewitness accounts and information only recently declassified.

©2016 Neil Kagan and Stephen G. Hyslop (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Outstanding Overview of the WW2 Spy World

In the last year, I have read a great many books on spies in WW2. This is such a masterful volume. I learned a lot and enjoyed the vignettes that created a sequential history of covert activities that helped to win the war for the Allies. Interesting and engaging, it is a compelling read. History at its best!

Very interesting!

Vignettes of conversations, decisions, events, participants and results of actions taken during the war. Lots of interesting facts.

Well written and Well preformed.

Listened to it twice well worth your time.
Listened to it twice well worth your time.

Many Interesting Stories of Intrigue

Fantastic book about espionage and vountrr- intelligence operations by all participants in WWII. Of particular was the degree of false information promulgated to deceive, confuse and conceal various intentions and operations. Some things I knew from prior readings, but the rest were new to me. One disturbing stay was number of Americans identified as spies for Russia and that they were aware of Loa Alamos work on A bomb by insiders and not by intelligence deducement.

A Different View

A whole new look at WW II . It opened my eyes at how much war was deadly and dirty.

very informative

The book had alot of detail and interesting information. I would read it again as it was alot to digest.

Must have book

I’m so thankful that I stumbled a pond this book. Eye opening stories and deep insight on WW2 secrets.

A Basic Overview of Known WWII Activities

What stood out throughout this listen is how the narrator continuously pauses mid sentence before finishing a complete phrase. Listening to this book is like being in a car with someone who continuously taps the brakes while driving for no apparent reason. The book itself is a long series of separate incidents and activities that the authors deemed to be “secret” to include. If you have read much about World War II you’re likely to already know about many of the topics this book covers such as the U.S. breaking of the Japanese diplomatic and naval codes, and the German use of the Enigma machine and the British breaking of the Enigma codes, as well as a lot of the individual activities covered in the book. There’s nothing particularly deeply revealing in this book, but it’s sorts of a basic 101 overview of aspects of the non-battlefield-shooting parts of the war. If you have already read a lot about WWII don’t expect to learn anything new here.

an intriguing book -

in spite of other reviews, I found this to be an excellent book and its narration was on point.....the ability to present the various chapters as vignettes into the secret history of WW II worked extremely well. it was both informative and mind provoking in light of what i happening today - GREAT BOOK!

It covers a wide variety of stuff and is a great overview of so many different things in the saboteur world during the war

It was good and well written. There is so much that could be covered but they did their best to make sure to not go overboard on each specific subject so it’s a great springboard especially for people starting out for learning ww2 facts!