Behind-the-Lines Intrigue

This is a very complete offering from War Historian Joseph K. O'Donnell. The research he put into the project is evident - documenting the rationale, formation, and execution of the Allied espionage/covert operations program (touching on the roles of figures like Allan Dulles & William J. "Wild Bill" Donovan and the eventual evolution of the OSS into the CIA) - but clearly writes for a casual (as opposed to academic) audience. The book discusses propaganda, spying, and Elint/Codebreaking, but the majority of the book is anecdote after harrowing anecdote from the men & women that conducted clandestine actions throughout WWII in places like France, Sicily, Greece, Burma, etc.
The stories are fascinating, stirring, jawdropping, and horrifying. Wow.

Blackstone Audio Inc did well to enlist Christopher Lane to read this book - and offer exemplary technical support - but the performance is best described as "acceptable". To be certain, Lane's diction, cadence, and pacing are unassailable.. but his voice-acting is unimpressive (including some startlingly injudicious accent attempts) and his delivery is persistently monotone. If you can get this book in a text version (paper or eBook), do so
.. the narration lets the book down somewhat.

Taken altogether, 'Operatives, Spies, and Saboteurs' rates 8.5 stars out of 10. I feel most fortunate to have gotten the book as a 'Plus' offering, because this recording (ideal for a couple of quiet afternoons of edification/entertainment) would actually rate a Credit if they asked.

[Incidentally: it's striking how many veterans mention the accuracy of the movie 'Saving Private Ryan'.. some comparing real-life experiences to what was depicted, and others crediting the film for allowing them to recover suppressed memories and gain closure]

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