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Game of Spies

The Secret Agent, the Traitor and the Nazi, Bordeaux 1942-1944

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Game of Spies

By: Paddy Ashdown
Narrated by: Paddy Ashdown
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Spies, bed-hopping, treachery and executions – this story of espionage in wartime Bordeaux is told for the first time.

Game of Spies uncovers a lethal spy triangle at work during the Second World War. The story centres on three men – on British, one French and one German – and the duels they fought out in an atmosphere of collaboration, betrayal and assassination, in which comrades sold fellow comrades, Allied agents and downed pilots to the Germans, as casually as they would a bottle of wine.

In this thrilling history of how ordinary, untrained people in occupied Europe faced the great questions of life, death and survival, Paddy Ashdown tells a fast-paced tale of SOE, betrayal and bloodshed in the city labelled ‘la plus belle collaboratrice’ in the whole of France.

 Europe France Great Britain Military Military & War World War II War England Espionage Imperialism Royalty
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Critic reviews

‘Fascinating and fast moving’ Literary Review
Praise for ‘The Cruel Victory’:
‘A powerful account of an extraordinary story.’ The Times
‘A fine account.’ 5*, Daily Telegraph
‘Paddy Ashdown has produced not only the most thorough history to date of the Resistance in the Vercors, but also the startling new contention that, ‘The Germans did not win on the Vercors. They lost.’ Written with pace, the detail is fine… and Ashdown is well-placed to write this book, which requires an understanding of military strategy, diplomacy and political shenanigans, as well as old fashioned story telling skill.’ Spectator
Praise for A Brilliant Little Operation:
‘The story of Operation Frankton is an extreme example of a plan brilliantly conceived and badly botched. The ten commandos who made a secret canoe raid in 1942 on German merchant ships have become icons of British wartime derring-do.’ The Times
‘No doubt many more books will be written about the war, but I hope this becomes a model for them since, though the heroism of our boys is stirring stuff, history only makes real sense if you can see it from all sides.’ Daily Telegraph
‘Paddy Ashdown has sifted the facts from the myths to write a fascinating and very personal account.’ Independent
‘It moves at the pace of a thriller and it’s real’ Nick Ferrari, Sunday Express
‘Ashdown’s insights and his extensive research in an impressive range of archives will ensure that yet another work on the subject will not be required in the foreseeable future.’ Times Literary Supplement
All stars
Most relevant
This does not have the suspense of a Ben Macintyre and I wonder if that is partly down to Paddy Ashdowns undramatic delivery. It in no way detracted for me the drama of this brutal strory and PA read it very well indeed. I wonder if thought given to Toby Longworth or James Lailie if it may have been more gripping than it was. Dunno,

Fantastic characters and brilliant research. I love the way during the war, in the book, how human the main characters were and how life and death came and went without drama. The seriousness of the events in the moment really transferred very well here. Also the epilogue was so sad and awful to listen to. How the agents discussed did not really change any part of teh war is heartbreaking.

I am used to more of a dramatic narration, more measured and experienced, so I found Game of Spies very occaisionally faded into my background, but PA;s commitment and connection to his book makes up for all that. I am pleased that I heard him read it and that it was different. Different is good.

I learnt a lot. Thank you.

Surprising and very well read.

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Faultless. If you like ww2 audiobook stories then this is a must-have. Definitely in my top 5 greatest audiobook collection.

A most excellent presentation. Well-written and beautifully narrated.

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If you are interested in the Resistance in France, I would say this book is a “must”. It follows three interconnected yet hostile adversaries in a deadly game of cat and mouse, with uniquely the only personal account of a Gestapo officer almost on a day by day basis during the occupation of Bordeaux. The truth is fascinating and often bizarre. For example the Gestapo trying to set up their own resistance organization! We’ll worth the read or the listen.

Fascinating generally little known history of the cat and mouse game between, the resistance, the Gestapo and SOE

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Well, paced and easy to listen to but in the exciting drama of events in a well told story

Detailed fact-based drama on what happened with the SOE and French Resistance in France, in the Bordeaux area?

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I’m so glad to have listened to this audiobook. I was delighted to find it was Passy read his tale, making it all the more enjoyable.
This record, clearly excellently researched, leaves is with a most remarkable record of great value.
Thank you very much for all involved in this erstwhile venture!

Excellent

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