Bletchley Park was where one of the war’s most famous – and crucial – achievements was made: the cracking of Germany’s “Enigma” code in which its most important military communications were couched. This country house in the Buckinghamshire countryside was home to Britain’s most brilliant mathematical brains, like Alan Turing, and the scene of immense advances in technology – indeed, the birth of modern computing. The military codes deciphered there were instrumental in turning both the Battle of the Atlantic and the war in North Africa.
But, though plenty has been written about the boffins, and the codebreaking, fictional and non-fiction – from Robert Harris and Ian McEwan to Andrew Hodges’ biography of Turing – what of the thousands of men and women who lived and worked there during the war? What was life like for them – an odd, secret territory between the civilian and the military?
Sinclair McKay’s book is the first history for the general reader of life at Bletchley Park, and an amazing compendium of memories from people now in their eighties – of skating on the frozen lake in the grounds (a depressed Angus Wilson, the novelist, once threw himself in) – of a youthful Roy Jenkins, useless at codebreaking, of the high jinks at nearby accommodation hostels – and of the implacable secrecy that meant girlfriend and boyfriend working in adjacent huts knew nothing about each other’s work.
The Secret Life of Bletchley Park
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Review
'McKay's book is an eloquent tribute to a quite remarkable group of men and women, whose like we will not see again.'
Four stars ****
'I found this a truly breathtaking, eye-opening book.'
(A. N. Wilson Reader's Digest )'Mckay has succeeded in honouring a genuinely remarkable group of people in a solid, often entertaining and above all warm-hearted way.'
(Daily Mail )'It is their stories, and the humbling thought of what their dedication to duty achieved, that make this book worth reading.'
Four stars ****
'A remarkably faithful account of what we did, why it mattered, and how it all felt at the time.'
(The Guardian )'It is all so indelibly - and movingly - British.'
Five stars *****
'Intriguing oral history…with an anecdotal style McKay offers new insights into what life was like at the famous station’
(Who Do You Think You Are magazine )‘A telling and fascinating account of an extraordinary war’
(Good Book Guide )'Amazing compendium of first-hand memories'
(Sunday Express )'a telling and fascinating account of an extraordinary war'
(Good Book Guide )'This book is an amazing compendium of memories, a colourful portrait of a quite unique chapter is Britain's war history.'
(Daily Telegraph )About the Author
Sinclair McKay writes regularly for the Daily Telegraph and The Secret Listeners and has written books about James Bond and Hammer horror for Aurum. His next book, about the wartime “Y” Service during World War II, is due to be published by Aurum in 2012. He lives in London.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
125 of 127 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is rivetting. I know we've all been told quite a bit about Bletchley Park since the wraps were removed, but this book makes one realise how absolutely extraordinary a place it was; and how amazingly extraordinary were the girls and boys, men and women who worked there. It is wonderfully human in its descriptions of personalities and is better than any novel I have ever read set in this period and a similar background. It shows how beautifully English-amateurish and ad hoc was the setting up and gathering of suitable personnel; and how very well-chosen and suitable they all were ! Doubt it would be allowed to happen today ! And how much we owe them all can never ever be calculated. I'm so glad this has been written and published whilst so many of them are able to receive this salute to their loyalty and commitment. We owe them our un-dying gratitude....literally !
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By I. H. C. Mellor
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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What has always amazed me about Bletchley Park is how it has remained so 'secret' for so long. This book goes a long way to explain why that is. The book looks at the lives of the people who worked at the Park during the war, how they came to be there and what it was really like. These are actual accounts from the people themselves. It is a very easy to read and facinating insight into a massive secret operation that probably won us the war. I actually live in Milton Keynes and I know many of the areas mentioned in the book so it is a very vivid, real-life, story for me. I would strongly encourage anyone reading this book, who has not done so already, to visit Bletchley Park, you will definitely feel a need to do so after reading this book. The huts are still there as is the house, lake etc. I found this book an amzing insight into somewhere I have visited several time, but now realise I knew so little about. The accounts of people like Alan Turing and 'Dilly' Knox are fascinating and shows the amazing foresight these people had. This is an excellent book.
56 of 57 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Although this book does look at how codes were broken, the war changed and lives affected by what happened at Bletchley Park, this is essentially about the people who worked there. And, what a cast of characters to work with! Boffins, socialites, professors and tea girls. Everyone had a part to play and this is a very interesting book about a fascinating time. Buy and enjoy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
almost as drawn out as WII.
Nothing here that hasn't been documented in other publications. mostly reminiscence of how the upper classes spent the war. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Aileen
2.0 out of 5 stars
Slow-paced and repetitive
I found this quite a frustrating read about a fascinating topic. The writing is repetitive and at times very subjective and one-sided. Read more
Published 9 days ago by SLCO
5.0 out of 5 stars
Behind the secrets
A very well paced and thoughtful book which kept me turning the pages. It was fascinating to read about the everyday issues these people had to cope with rather than the... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Karen A
5.0 out of 5 stars
Important
Very well written account of important era. Author has knack of combining chronological narrative with personal stories. Read more
Published 14 days ago by teacher
5.0 out of 5 stars
The secret life at bletchley park
Great book very informative and enjoyable too. It was good to know that although the people worked hard and did an amazing job there was fun and hope for the future ahead.
Published 17 days ago by Mazza
5.0 out of 5 stars
At Last - The Truth
A great book that reveals the truth about one of the greatest secrets ever kept from the world.
A complicated story well told. You need to know this stuff.
A complicated story well told. You need to know this stuff.
Published 24 days ago by Joseph Mcgrath
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great, informative
This is a factual book on a subject most of us are aware of, but not the details.
It may very well encourage us to visit B Park when we get the chance.
It may very well encourage us to visit B Park when we get the chance.
Published 1 month ago by tcmum
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent
Recommend to anyone interested in history of 2nd WW. just visited Bletchley so excellent background before going.
Well put together
Well put together
Published 1 month ago by Mrs.M.A.Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Fascinating Account
This is a fascinating account of life at Bletchley Park during the war, what was until fairly recently top secret. Worth buying.
Published 1 month ago by Gordon McRae
5.0 out of 5 stars
bought as present
having read various reviews about this book it ticked all the boxes for my choice of gift for my husband.
Published 1 month ago by H. F. Tierney
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