The Puppet Masters: Spies, Traitors and the Real Forces Behind World Events

'A powerful book… there should be a well-thumbed copy of this book on every general’s bedside table…' – The Spectator

From France’s brilliant secret agent transvestite to the infamous Cambridge spy ring, The Puppet Masters offers an entertaining and thought-provoking insight into the work – and treacheries – of the spies who shaped history. From the Old Testament’s honey-traps to WWII’s cryptography, from Elizabeth I to Osama bin Laden, the hidden hand of intelligence is exposed behind every critical decision.

In this revised and updated edition, John Hughes-Wilson analyses the threat of the globalisation of terrorism and the role of intelligence in fighting the ‘War on Terror’.

The Puppet Masters, written by an ex-intelligence officer, reveals the role of spying and intelligence in the great events of history. Perfect for either curious layman or expert.

'John Hughes-Wilson has a lively pen and an eye for a good anecdote… an enjoyable romp through world history' – The Sunday Telegraph