Sonny B. (coachbuccinator) reviewed Conspirator: The Untold Story of Tyler Kent on + 28 more book reviews
The last great untold story of WWII, Conspirator is sure to appeal to WWII history buffs, Churchill and Roosevelt experts, and aficionados of true tales of espionage. Utilizing documents and papers from both sides of the Atlantic, many never-before-published, the authors re-create a period of great drama and reveal the haphazardness that has characterized the American secret services from their inception. 8 pages of black-and-white photographs.
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
The name of Tyler Kent sometimes came up in books I've read about the secret side of World War II. As a result, I've been after this book for a long time.
The description pretty much relates what the story is about. It's not the most thrilling story of World War II, but it is very important. And, if Kent had succeeded in what he wanted to do, it might have changed the history of the world.
One thing it did help to accomplish was to assist in demolishing Joseph Kennedy's plan to run for president in 1940 or 1944. The American ambassador's position at the Court of St. James (England) was used as a stepping stone to the American presidency by several men in our history. Joseph Kennedy wanted to be one of them. The Kent Incident helped to destroy Kennedy's political career.
The authors do make the point there was one good result from Kent's treachery. The furor over the lax security in Moscow, and later London, forced the United States to abandon a State Department code in use before World War II. This code was basically useless, as it was being read by the secret services of numerous other governments.
The description pretty much relates what the story is about. It's not the most thrilling story of World War II, but it is very important. And, if Kent had succeeded in what he wanted to do, it might have changed the history of the world.
One thing it did help to accomplish was to assist in demolishing Joseph Kennedy's plan to run for president in 1940 or 1944. The American ambassador's position at the Court of St. James (England) was used as a stepping stone to the American presidency by several men in our history. Joseph Kennedy wanted to be one of them. The Kent Incident helped to destroy Kennedy's political career.
The authors do make the point there was one good result from Kent's treachery. The furor over the lax security in Moscow, and later London, forced the United States to abandon a State Department code in use before World War II. This code was basically useless, as it was being read by the secret services of numerous other governments.
Interesting account of the pre-WW II political situation and Kent's life.
