Incredible well written and narrated.

An incredible insight into secretive organisation created and established during the world wars.

Some of the people involved whether military or civilian. Listing the enormous risks they took and how they went about it.

I particularly enjoyed the enginuity of the compass buttons that hit in plain sight.

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This is my kind of thing

This is my kind of thing and of course not for everyone but I loved it. I was very pleased to listen to the chapters about “the comet line”
If you have ever watched secret army that was based on the comet line (secret army is available to watch on britbox at the moment 20/02/2023)

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Occasionally fascinating

Overall pretty dreary I’m sad to say. Fry has uncovered an area of intelligence history not yet exposed (a rarity in WW2 historiography) but makes it about as exciting as Michael Portillos railway journeys, with lots of unbelievably detailed blow by blow accounts of Whitehall bureaucracy or how certain gadgets were manufactured. There is some interesting analysis, though she carries the point too far by claiming that MI9 contributed “at least as much” as MI6 or GCHQ’s predecessor to allied victory. There’s also a tedious tendency to really hammer home this or a similar breathless claim about how MI9 really was an intelligence collection organisation around 2-3 times per chapter. But there is little insight into how that intelligence was consumed or read so it is hard to judge the impact despite her claims. There are some fascinating human stories which is where the book gets going - the chapters on Italy and the Far East are particularly interesting I found.

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Interesting but frustrating

An up to date book on MI9 is a great idea and Fry has, to her credit, obviously done an immense amount of original research. However the end result is a book which is interesting in parts but overall a frustrating read.

Fry sets out her stall early in contending that MI9 was as important in the intelligence world as SIS/MI6, MI5 and GCCS. However, although there was obviously a huge amount of collection and debriefing work done by MI9, Fry doesn’t explain in specific terms how MI9 added to the huge intelligence product of other agencies and military/air reconnaissance or how its product was analysed and ultimately used.

Fry’s contention that recovery of downed aircrew was vital to the maintenance of Allied air power is also not clearly supported in the book, and the number of crews recovered seems small compared with the large numbers of crews being trained. Although no doubt evasion was a powerful morale booster, Fry’s discussion of the Air Ministry’s initial view of escape and evasion as a low priority seems to support its perceived lack of strategic importance.

The tone of the book is also variable. The decision to discuss ‘Q’ and escape gadget up front captures the attention, but is not representative of the book as a whole. There are also some fantastic escapades mentioned and, while these are covered in detail in other books, the brief mentions leaves you wanting more. The book also lacks context about the wider context in which evasion took place. The differences in approach between authorities in Occupied and Vichy France, for example, are implied but not explained. Equally the composition of the enemy is also a blank canvas with no detailed discussion about the many different German agencies involved and how they operated to counter MI9.

The few factual and date errors in the book are also a little irritating and should have been picked up. As an example, the ‘Japanese invasion of the northern regions of Australia’ (as opposed to Australian overseas territories located to the north) will no doubt have come as a surprise to the people of Darwin.

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5 people found this helpful

Not what I expected

I had high hopes for this book having read a history magazine article. But basically it describes a club for officers to escape from enemy captivity so much so you would think ordinary ranks didn't. So many lists of names and activities.

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4 people found this helpful

Brilliant

Another brilliantly researched and well told look at a part of the Secret War in WW2. Dr Helen Fry does these so well.

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1 person found this helpful

Best MI9 book I've read.

I've read many books on MI9 including the classics but this is by far the best. its refreshing when you put a book on a subject that you thought you new pretty well and can say "I learnt a lot"

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fascinating book

Great book full of information. A lot to take in, probably best read in short chunks!

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Who knew!

As a huge fan of information/stories and the sheer unalloyed bravery of people in this war I was amazed at finding out about MI9 no idea it existed! A wonderfully factual detailed narration I thoroughly recommend

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A fascinating book

A very interesting book which was made even better by the narrator’s clear narration and the fact that each major chapter is broken down into shorter smaller stories. Perfectly for listening to when you’ve not got time to listen for a couple of hours at a time. The variety of people, places, and stories covered made this an extremely worthwhile listen for me. Highly recommended!

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