MI9
A History of the Secret Service for Escape and Evasion in World War Two

Name: MI9
Brand: Blackstone Audiobooks
Availability: InStock
Author: Helen Fry
ISBN: 9781799932819

Author: Helen Fry

Narrator: Helen Lloyd

Unabridged: 13 hr 3 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Published: 01/02/2021

Categories: Nonfiction, History, Wars, World War Ii

Synopsis

A thrilling history of MI9—the WWII organization that engineered the escape of Allied forces from behind enemy linesWhen Allied fighters were trapped behind enemy lines, one branch of military intelligence helped them escape: MI9. The organization set up clandestine routes that zigzagged across Nazi-occupied Europe, enabling soldiers and airmen to make their way home. Secret agents and resistance fighters risked their lives and those of their families to hide the men.Drawing on declassified files and eye-witness testimonies from across Europe and the United States, Helen Fry provides a significant reassessment of MI9’s wartime role. Central to its success were figures such as Airey Neave, Jimmy Langley, Sam Derry, and Mary Lindell, who was one of only a few women parachuted into enemy territory for MI9. This astonishing account combines escape and evasion tales with the previously untold stories behind the establishment of MI9—and reveals how the organization saved thousands of lives.

About Helen Fry

Helen Fry is a historian, biographer, and author of more than twenty books focusing mainly on intelligence, prisoners of war, and the social history of World War II. She lives in London.

About Helen Lloyd

Helen Lloyd is a British actor and voice artist who recorded her first voice-over at the age of fourteen. Since then, she has spent much of her life interpreting other people’s words and bringing characters to life. A classically trained actor, she has performed with many of Britain’s leading repertory theaters, as well as at the Edinburgh Festival, the Roundhouse, and on the West End.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Nick

I was greatly looking forward to reading this new history of the activities of MI-9 during the Second World. Sadly, I found the work a huge disappointment. It is evident that Dr Fry conducted an immense amount of research and the book covers considerable ground but it is let down by the style of wri......more

Goodreads review by Joe

If someone were to find hundreds of boxes of documents concerning a wartime government agency… And if that person was to write out a list of almost every fact, name, piece of correspondence, and date found in those documents… Then you would have this book. Sure there is some loose organization of th......more

Goodreads review by Artie

I was very disappointed with this book, and didn't get very far with it. The author knows her facts: what she doesn't seem to know is how to structure a book. Facts are just chucked in because they are known; anecdotes are told at too great length. The editing too is dire - a captured man in Norway i......more

Goodreads review by Wesley

I randomly found this book on the shelves of Caldicot library. I read a lot of books on U.K. Intelligence services: MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. During the war…. Mt grandfather (GaGa) was in 618 Squadron RAF and 143 Coastal Command. He didn’t really speak to me much about World War 2 itself until quite late o......more

Quotes

“A masterful page turner you won’t be able to put down. The story of MI9 is one of the most inspiring and exciting of all WWII narratives.” Alex Kershaw, author of Avenue of Spies

“A masterful retelling with a fascinating cast of characters straight out of a John le Carré thriller.” Mark Felton, author of Castle of the Eagles

“A fitting tribute to the hundreds of men and women who risked their lives in assisting Allied escapees.” Sunday Times (London)

“An engrossing picture of the commitment and courage of tens of thousands of agents who helped ‘escapers’ and ‘evaders’ in the European Theater of Operations.” Michael Jago, author of The Man Who Was George Smiley

“Lloyd’s narration—well paced and using just the right amount of nuance and emotion—makes a surprising difference in one’s listening experience. One expects an intense presentation, yet Lloyd’s deliberate and steady tone more vividly brings to life the many individuals who collaborated across nations to help Allies escape from and elude the Nazi war machine.” AudioFile

“An enjoyable addition to the historiography…Recommended.” Choice