Thomas F. (hardtack) -
As I've most likely stated in other reviews of book with this subject matter, I have an entire shelf or more of books about the secret code wars and their use during World War II. Reading these books is like reading mystery novels in that they tell why things happened the way they did on the battlefields that other books ignore.
I have read considerably about the events in this book, but I hoped---due to the title---it focused more on spies and such more to the east of Egypt. Alas, while it did cover some events further east, most of it dealt with the war in North Africa, but in much greater detail than I've read in most other books. I enjoyed the story so much I kept hoping it wouldn't end.
The author really did his research and provided more details as to how both sides---Allies and Axis---worked to uncover each other's secrets and hide their own---often from their own side too. So while some people and events in the book weren't new to me, it was very much a worthwhile read.
If you haven't read in this area, but have an interest in it, I definitely recommend it. I even unlearned some facts previously accepted as truth. This may be the book to go to on the "code wars" in the mid-East, as it was published in 2021, and may hold the latest declassified materials related to that event. I especially likes the Epilogue, in which he let us know how many of the participants carried on with their lives after World War II, and carried their secrets to their graves, or were later ignored for their efforts. In fact, one of the most brilliant of the actors in this drama---a Pole---lived without recognition for his efforts and only years after his death was acclaimed as a national hero.
I have read considerably about the events in this book, but I hoped---due to the title---it focused more on spies and such more to the east of Egypt. Alas, while it did cover some events further east, most of it dealt with the war in North Africa, but in much greater detail than I've read in most other books. I enjoyed the story so much I kept hoping it wouldn't end.
The author really did his research and provided more details as to how both sides---Allies and Axis---worked to uncover each other's secrets and hide their own---often from their own side too. So while some people and events in the book weren't new to me, it was very much a worthwhile read.
If you haven't read in this area, but have an interest in it, I definitely recommend it. I even unlearned some facts previously accepted as truth. This may be the book to go to on the "code wars" in the mid-East, as it was published in 2021, and may hold the latest declassified materials related to that event. I especially likes the Epilogue, in which he let us know how many of the participants carried on with their lives after World War II, and carried their secrets to their graves, or were later ignored for their efforts. In fact, one of the most brilliant of the actors in this drama---a Pole---lived without recognition for his efforts and only years after his death was acclaimed as a national hero.
