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The true Intrepid: Sir William Stephenson and the unknown agents [Paperback]

Bill Macdonald (Author)
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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"A fascinating read, one that has pushed aside the impenetrable curtain of the intelligence world." -- Hamilton Spectator

"A real seminal work ... journalistic coup ... not just highly informative reading, it's also a good read." -- Brantford Expositor

"A remarkable job of detective work ... startling revelations ... A good book well worth reading." -- Bout de papier, the Association of Foreign Service Officers magazine

"Fascinating ... Intriguing ... A fun read." -- National Post

"The truth has finally come out about William Stephenson. His reputation has suffered for a long time in silence." -- Robert Stuart, Stephenson associate, curator Camp X espionage museum

"[An] impressive Canadian story few know much about ... British writers and historians have a lot to answer for." -- St. Catherine's Standard

Book Description

The Second World War intelligence exploits of William Stephenson--the mysterious man known simply as "Intrepid" who is said to be the real-life model for Ian Fleming's James Bond--were celebrated in his lifetime in espionage lore the world over. As head of the British Security Coordination, a predecessor of the CIA, Stephenson was responsible for the hugely successful covert political war against all sources of Axis strength. Subsequently, though, some observers questioned certain aspects of Stephenson's career. In this fascinating re-examination of the historical record, Bill Macdonald documents Stephenson's clouded early life and unravels the tangled strings of information that run through secret papers and previous books to reveal the astonishing details of the man who said: "Nothing deceives like a document."

A revised paperback reprint of a Maclean's magazine bestseller, The True Intrepid features historical photographs, personal interviews with those who worked with Stephenson, and a foreword by the CIA's staff historian and former CIA staff officer, Thomas F. Troy.

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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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3.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and balanced, April 24 2003
This review is from: The true Intrepid: Sir William Stephenson and the unknown agents (Paperback)
MacDonald has successfully revealed much of the often clouded life of Intrepid, a man whose primary career goal was - of course - to remain in the shadows. The immensely likeable and non-descript Stephenson (Intrepid) was the penultimate spy: you wouldn't notice him in a crowd and if you did, you'd find yourself charmed and at ease. This side of the man has been overlooked in past books, but MacDonald reveals just how significant this particular trait is to an effective intelligence officer. In Stephenson, readers will learn how charm hid the great depths of intelligence, honor and violent resolve that made Intrepid a name to admire in the history of his profession. MacDonald also offers a highly-readable, compelling look at the events of Intrepid's life, keeping an admirable balance between objectivity and the thrills of a good story. David R. Bannon, Ph.D.; author "Race Against Evil."
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Very well sourcred...kind of dry, May 20 2006
By A Customer
This review is from: The true Intrepid: Sir William Stephenson and the unknown agents (Paperback)
Although I hear "A man called intrepid" is thrilling and a great adventure story, this book does not attempt to do so. Its a pretty dry read although very well sourced and all information is accounted for. This book does much to discredit the Stevenson 'A man called intrepid" and indeed that book is full of inaccuracies that Macdonald proves. This however is more like a series of interviews about clerical work and decoding with very few escapades. A lot of this book also centers it self on discussing the making of "A man called intrepid" and discrediting it...so if you are looking for a thrilling spy story, you should read AMCI even if it is factually inaccurate. If you want to know the real deal and listen to a lot of people talk about what it was like to work in the office where decoding went on and get some anecdotes (most pretty lame but some are really interesting) then get this book. Its not really a page turner though...but its all true and you get the full real story
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Amazon.com: 4.7 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and balanced, April 24 2003
By David R. Bannon, Ph.D. - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The true Intrepid: Sir William Stephenson and the unknown agents (Paperback)
MacDonald has successfully revealed much of the often clouded life of Intrepid, a man whose primary career goal was - of course - to remain in the shadows. The immensely likeable and non-descript Stephenson (Intrepid) was the penultimate spy: you wouldn't notice him in a crowd and if you did, you'd find yourself charmed and at ease. This side of the man has been overlooked in past books, but MacDonald reveals just how significant this particular trait is to an effective intelligence officer. In Stephenson, readers will learn how charm hid the great depths of intelligence, honor and violent resolve that made Intrepid a name to admire in the history of his profession. MacDonald also offers a highly-readable, compelling look at the events of Intrepid's life, keeping an admirable balance between objectivity and the thrills of a good story. David R. Bannon, Ph.D.; author "Race Against Evil."

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable original research on WWII intelligence gathering, Mar 12 2006
By F. R Anscombe - Published on Amazon.com
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This review is from: The true Intrepid: Sir William Stephenson and the unknown agents (Paperback)
Bill Macdonald has contributed valuably by sleuthing some of the past of the mythic character, Sir William Stephenson.

Macdonald is a journalist from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, who on hearing of the death of Stephenson in 1989, decided to investigate the past of a man who hailed from Winnipeg and was entrusted by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill with serving as his intelligence czar in North America during World War II.

Fortunately for history, Macdonald was able to uncover glimmers of the truth of Stephenson's humble origins; his move to Britain during the 1920s and 1930s; and his businesses. One was steel; through the steel industry, Macdonald may have come to appreciate the Nazi commitment to expanding its military. Churchill became prime minister after the British debacle at Dunkirk. He promptly dispatched Stephenson to the U.S. Based at Rockefeller Center, Stephenson established an aggressive intelligence program and helped advise the U.S. in formation of what became the O.S.S., predecessor of the CIA. Macdonald interviewed a former Univ. of Toronto professor who directed the vital communications links conveying Nazi communications intercepts among British, Canadian, and U.S. codebreakers.

Behind the stories and myths surrounding Stephenson, Macdonald has shone light on some important, classified aspects of World War II. When I read the first edition of this book, I found the story somewhat hard to follow and strange, though also strangely plausible. For the paperback edition, a former CIA staff historian has offered an introduction, probably because he would have had the same reaction.

I am reminded of another recent book (The Secret of Hut 26) reporting how the U.S. developed computers in Dayton, Ohio for attacking Nazi codes. The story was revealed by veterans of this endeavor wishing to report their contribution, 50 years later. Similarly, interesting stories and people, can arise from Winnipeg. Owing to the highly original investigative reporting, I give this book 5 stars.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing book on Intrepid, July 12 2001
By "puppypokey" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The true Intrepid: Sir William Stephenson and the unknown agents (Hardcover)
If the 20th century was to be represented by 4 or 5 individuals, William Stephenson would have to be one of them. By this I mean that his life was incredible. He would be worthy of an interesting biography in any of the lives that he led: a scientist, a businessman or a spymaster.

The book goes into much more detail of Intrepid's life, as well as those of some of his associates than the famous Man Called Intrepid book (which is worth reading as well!). This book will inspire and awe anybody! Well researched and well enough written.

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