The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

How Churchill's Secret Warriors Set Europe Ablaze and Gave Birth to Modern Black Ops

De: Damien Lewis

Narrado por: NIgel Carrington

From the award-winning historian, war reporter, and author Damien Lewis (Zero Six Bravo, Judy) comes the incredible true story of the top-secret "butcher-and-bolt" black ops units Prime Minister Winston Churchill tasked with stopping the unstoppable German war machine. Criminals, rogues, and survivalists, the brutal tactics and grit of these "deniables" would define a military unit the likes of which the world had never seen.

When France fell to the Nazis in 1940, Churchill declared that Britain would resist the advance of the German army - alone, if necessary. Churchill commanded the Special Operations Executive to secretly develop of a very special kind of military unit that would operate on their own initiative deep behind enemy lines. The units would be licensed to kill, fully deniable by the British government, and a ruthless force to meet the advancing Germans.

The very first of these "butcher-and-bolt" units - the innocuously named Maid Honour Force - was led by Gus March-Phillipps, a wild British eccentric of high birth, and an aristocratic, handsome, and bloodthirsty young Danish warrior, Anders Lassen. Amped up on amphetamines, these assorted renegades and sociopaths undertook the very first of Churchill's special operations - a top-secret, high-stakes mission to seize Nazi shipping in the far-distant port of Fernando Po, in West Africa.

Though few of these early desperadoes survived WWII, they took part in a series of fascinating, daring missions that changed the course of the war. It was the first stirrings of the modern special-ops team, and all of the men involved would be declared war heroes when it was all over.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare focuses on a dozen of these extraordinary men, weaving their stories of brotherhood, comradely, and elite soldiering into a gripping narrative yarn, from the earliest missions to Anders Larssen's tragic death, just weeks before the end of the war.

©2016 Damien Lewis (P)2021 Quercus

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A truly astonishing story." (Weekend Sport)

"Kill without mercy, party like there's no tomorrow: Churchill's secret band of fearless warriors broke hearts, rules, and the Nazis' spirit." (The Daily Mail)

"A valuable addition to World War II history, and a harbinger of the sort of war that the United States and other countries are learning to wage in the 21st century." (Washington Times)

Just a amazing accounting of true events

The movie made me want to read the book now the book has me wanting a band of brothers mini series based on the book

Who Dares Wins

Perfectly read. Brilliant writing on a topic increasingly scarce today - leaders with courage to make hard decisions and stick with those tasked with the dirty work.

We’ve lost too many men like this.

We’ve lost too many men like this.

Great story. Reading breaks were a little obvious.

Writing was well done, performance was great

The book was well written, there wasn’t a lot of dead space. The story was interesting, and very well performed.

Fantastic

You cannot stop listening to this, the performance is top notch, and the story is undeniably compelling. A real page turner. I loved it.

Excellent book and incredible story of heroism

Excellent book and incredible story of heroism and bravery. also very well read throughout

Great unheard stories

The performance was superb.

Matched w entertaining story telling and a plethora of military details for the history buffs; this is truly a well rounded book detailing incredible and daring adventures that played key roles in turning the tide for the war. You’re entertained while getting informed about important aspects of history, not to mention the privilege of getting to know the stories of some truly incredible men and war heroes, so their bravery may not be forgotten.

Great all around-from reader to writer

Interesting story, well told, & perfectly paced. reader was excellent. Great with the pronounciations & accents... except American, which I thought was hilarious considering all the others he had to do.

Overall, a terrific window into this important development within warfare tactics.

A gripping story!

From start to finish this book does not disappoint. Even the narrator changes up his voice depending on the characters accent.
The declassified details of these super soldiers and their exploits is truly remarkable. Naturally I've seen the movie but wanted to know more. Guy Ritchie's film only covers a sliver of what the SAS, SBS, and SOE accomplished during WWII. I recommend this title to any WWII or special operations history enthusiasts.

Heroic unit for the ages.

The book is an admirable tribute to the brave creators of the future SAS. The only distraction from the truth is Guy Richie's film about the events in this book.