Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: The Mavericks Who Plotted Hitler's Defeat

Six gentlemen, one goal: the destruction of Hitler's war machine

In the spring of 1939, a top-secret organization was founded in London: its purpose was to plot the destruction of Hitler's war machine through spectacular acts of sabotage.

The guerrilla campaign that followed was every bit as extraordinary as the six men who directed it. One of them, Cecil Clarke, was a maverick engineer who had spent the 1930s inventing futuristic caravans. Now, his talents were put to more devious use: he built the dirty bomb used to assassinate Hitler's favorite, Reinhard Heydrich. Another, William Fairbairn, was a portly pensioner with an unusual passion: he was the world's leading expert in silent killing, hired to train the guerrillas being parachuted behind enemy lines. Led by dapper Scotsman Colin Gubbins, these men along with three others formed a secret inner circle that, aided by a group of formidable ladies, single-handedly changed the course Second World War: a cohort hand-picked by Winston Churchill, whom he called his Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

Giles Milton's Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a gripping and vivid narrative of adventure and derring-do that is also, perhaps, the last great untold story of the Second World War.

Published on: 2017-02-07

Released on: 2017-02-07

Original language: English

Dimensions: 9.40" h x 1.22" w x 6.36" l, .0 pounds

Binding: Hardcover

368 pages

Review 

"Milton is a meticulous researcher and masterful storyteller. Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, with its ghastly details and dollops of droll British humor, will reward readers who appreciate military history and good writing." 

- USA Today (3.5 star out of 4)

A magnificent story, brilliantly told. Read it! 

- Anthony Horowitz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Alex Rider Adventure series

“A rousing account and celebration of World War II’s most insidious and devious heroes.”

- The Wall Street Journal

“An exciting, suspenseful tale of international intrigue.”

- Kirkus

“An entertaining read that will keep readers turning the page.”

- Library Journal

About the Author 

GILES MILTON is an internationally bestselling author of narrative nonfiction. His books include Nathaniel's Nutmeg serialized by the BBC and seven other critically acclaimed works of history.