This is one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read.

Ben MacIntyre tells the incredible true story of Eddie Chapman, a London criminal who, through an almost unbelievable series of events, went on to play a major role in World War II as a spy.

Not just any old spy, though. He was first recruited as a spy by the Germans and then simultaneously by the British. He became buddies with top German officials while also working for MI5, and had a string of love affairs along the way.

This is the true story of a double agent who makes James Bond look like an amateur.

He made explosives, picked up languages easily, was an expert liar, leapt out of planes and spent the war traveling from London to Jersey, Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, Nantes, Berlin and Oslo all the while being used as a spy by Nazi Germany as well as by the British. He even volunteered to assassinate Hitler but his offer was firmly rejected.

The Daily Telegraph described this book “as engrossing as any thriller.”

Here’s a short video that sums up his amazing story.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough!