Every German spy in Britain was captured and many were used to send back false information. There was bogus wireless traffic from phantom armies, dummy airfields with model planes, disguised ships and inflatable rubber tanks manufactured by film-studio craftsmen. Not since the Trojan horse had warfare been so cunning. Culminating in the spectacular misdirection of D-Day in 1944, Churchill’s Wizards traces the history of British camouflage, deception and black propaganda in two world wars in a thrilling work of popular military history.
Churchill's Wizards
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
`Rankin goes poking and probing the lesser-known facts of the two World Wars. What an entertaining journey he provides.' --Len Deighton
`A story clamouring to be told...I could not stop reading this book once I had begun.' --Doris Lessing
`A story clamouring to be told...I could not stop reading this book once I had begun.' --Doris Lessing
Review
`A story clamouring to be told...I could not stop reading this book once I had begun.'
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By K. P. Wilson
Format:Paperback
And I thought I knew a lot about both world wars! There was so much going on that just isnt realised. The `stories` in this book would not make a great film but they did make `winning` the wars possible. The shoreline defences of England,the Home Guard,the wood and cardboard false tanks and aircraft that really did confuse the Germans and thus saved many real ones,its incredible that this isnt widely appreciated.
To sum up, a very interesting book. An eye-opener.
To sum up, a very interesting book. An eye-opener.
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Tony Howard
Format:Paperback
`Churchill's Wizards: The British Genius for Deception 1914 - 1945' describes British military deception in two World Wars: the roles of the intelligence services in grand and smaller deception plans. Guerilla warfare, double agents, black propaganda, camouflage and even sniping are all covered. I found the principles and practice of camouflage and the contributions of painters very interesting. The author describes the roles in the development of deception of well known military figures such T E Lawrence and General Wavell, but also presents the activities of people more famous in other walks of life. These include the authors John Buchan, Ian Fleming, Dennis Wheatley, George Bernard Shaw, HG Wells and Arthur Conan Doyle!
Together these interwoven threads of history made a thoroughly enjoyable read for me. The one minor frustration I found came from the title of the book. This implies the involvement or `ownership' of Winston Churchill in the majority the work. I spent the first half of the book anticipating some revelation of his critical involvement in the development of deception in WWI, but it never came! In fact it was apparent from the book that WSC had little or no involvement in the deception activities relating to WWI.
His involvement in the heart of the story - deception - only became clear about two-thirds of the way through the book, once WWII was well underway, after which our heroes - the Wizards - could truly be described as `Churchill's' because of his direct contributions and patronage. Despite the slightly misleading title I found the book informative, well written and hard to put down.
Together these interwoven threads of history made a thoroughly enjoyable read for me. The one minor frustration I found came from the title of the book. This implies the involvement or `ownership' of Winston Churchill in the majority the work. I spent the first half of the book anticipating some revelation of his critical involvement in the development of deception in WWI, but it never came! In fact it was apparent from the book that WSC had little or no involvement in the deception activities relating to WWI.
His involvement in the heart of the story - deception - only became clear about two-thirds of the way through the book, once WWII was well underway, after which our heroes - the Wizards - could truly be described as `Churchill's' because of his direct contributions and patronage. Despite the slightly misleading title I found the book informative, well written and hard to put down.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Ex navy 1950
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
being pre-WW1 born I had read previous accounts of some of the ideas and their applications. But found this book pulled things together in one place, explaining the background in a useful way.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 44 reviews
3.8 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
overblown
Flabby and derivative, one to avoid in general. Material on WW2 much more interesting than the earlier chapters. Glad I only paid 99p for it!
Published 13 days ago by mfsxidtp@stud.man.ac.uk
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
Not as interesting as I anticipated by looking at the front and back covers. The author tends to go off at tangents and waffles too much. I wish I had saved my money!
Published 3 months ago by Mr Ackers
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good read
An interesting read about another aspect of the second world war that is not well known. Well worth a read.
Published 3 months ago by Mr Robert Hunt
4.0 out of 5 stars
Boy's Own adventures
A well told story of skullduggerry and derring-do It throws a new light on the 1st & 2nd World Wars.
Published 3 months ago by firstnoel
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting general work; shame about the title
This is quite an interesting read, as long as you don't expect it to fit the title! As other reviewers have noted, the mention of Churchill in the title is misleading. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Simon Binning
5.0 out of 5 stars
Churchill's Wizards
I found this to be very interesting about the deceptions used in both world wars some of which were so simple and the ideas that came to inventors etc that proved to be so... Read more
Published 6 months ago by vpgs72
4.0 out of 5 stars
Churchill's Wizards
I thought this was at very enjoyable book and a valuable contribution to the history of subterfuge. Because it was easy to read, and at times amusing, it was much better than the... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Bob Lancing
4.0 out of 5 stars
Churchill's Wizards
Bought via Kindle. It was a good read with a new slant on WW 1 and 2. It was spoiled by the syntax in that there were too many grammatical errors ie words run together, lack of... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Grampa
3.0 out of 5 stars
Churchill's Wizards
Whilst this book explores the history of the use of camouflage and subterfuge in warfare, it does meander and needs a more coherant structure. Read more
Published 10 months ago by John Gino
5.0 out of 5 stars
More than just camoflage
This is a fascinating book detailing the work of the "hidden" side of our two world wars. A thoroughly absorbing read and well recommended.
Published 10 months ago by D A Holding
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
