NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERThe New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Dark Invasion; channels Erik Larson and Ben Macintyre in this riveting biography of Betty Pack; the dazzling American debutante who became an Allied spy during WWII and was hailed by OSS chief General “Wild Bill" Donovan as “the greatest unsung heroine of the war.â€Betty Pack was charming; beautiful; and intelligent—and she knew it. As an agent for Britain’s MI-6 and then America’s OSS during World War II; these qualities proved crucial to her success. This is the remarkable story of this “Mata Hari from Minnesota†(Time) and the passions that ruled her tempestuous life—a life filled with dangerous liaisons and death-defying missions vital to the Allied victory.For decades; much of Betty’s career working for MI-6 and the OSS remained classified. Through access to recently unclassified files; Howard Blum discovers the truth about the attractive blond; codenamed “Cynthia;†who seduced diplomats and military attachés across the globe in exchange for ciphers and secrets; cracked embassy safes to steal codes; and obtained the Polish notebooks that proved key to Alan Turing’s success with Operation Ultra.Beneath Betty’s cool; professional determination; Blum reveals a troubled woman conflicted by the very traits that made her successful: her lack of deep emotional connections and her readiness to risk everything. The Last Goodnight is a mesmerizing; provocative; and moving portrait of an exceptional heroine whose undaunted courage helped to save the world.
#17435 in Books Harper Perennial 2016-09-06 2016-09-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.44 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 0062276174720 pagesHarper Perennial
Review
155 of 161 people found the following review helpful. Heavily-researched book about a fascinating but frightening manBy SomebodyI came to this book knowing nothing about Allen Dulles. I learned not just about him and his control of what we do and do not know about our country's dark past; but also new (to me) information about JFK's murder. I was less interested in the Nazi section than the assassination section; but the whole book is solid reading. Talbot kept firm control of his material and laid it out in inviting prose that prompted me to keep turning the pages. This struck me as a feat not many writers could have pulled off so successfully. The amount of research that went into this book is impressive (an understatement); but it's the delivery of that research that makes The Devil's Chessboard so readable.Update: I read the book a second time and changed my mind about being more interested in the JFK section than the Nazi section. This time around; the Nazi section unfolded in my mind like a movie. In fact; I'd like to see a movie based on this entire book. Yet again I am wowed by Talbot's research.359 of 383 people found the following review helpful. A Groundbreaking Resource; Second Only to "JFK and the Unspeakable"By J. RothA tremendous resource of breathtaking depth and clarity. Talbot builds on the now decades-old body of research — initiated by investigative reporters Tom Mangold (“Cold Warriorâ€) and David Wise (“Molehuntâ€); and largely developed by assassination researchers James DiEugenio and Lisa Pease (“The Assassinationsâ€) — and adds groundbreaking new information. Talbot focusses extensively on James Jesus Angleton; the shadowy counterintelligence figure at the heart of the domestic assassinations of the 1960s; and examines the inner-workings of Dulles’ ambitious (and dastardly) plot to consolidate and control global political power. “The Devil’s Chessboard†is a startling and revelatory masterwork. In terms of easy-to-access assassination research; this book is second only to James Douglass’ “JFK and the Unspeakable.†In terms of biographies of Dulles and Angleton; two of history’s most infamous figures; this work is second to none.Note: Be wary of one-star reviews for this book. Some trace back to commissioned-review services; the same services that give five-star reviews to shady/suspicious health and beauty products. Go figure.180 of 192 people found the following review helpful. Get this book!By CustomerI am reviewing this book as I go along. It is a page turner. It's been awhile since I have read a book where I am using so many highlights to be able to go back to pertinent key words and sentences as the material is so rich. I have put down all other books I am reading for this book. It is bound to be a classic I believe. I have a feeling it will do for this subject matter much as James Douglass's 'JFK and the Unspeakable' did for pure assassination research. I was not aware of HOW deep the Dulles/Nazi connection was. The writing style is crisp and to the point. Thank you Mr. Talbot for this wonderful book.
