The Man Who Never Was: The Remarkable Story of Operation Mincemeat (Now the subject of a major new film starring Colin Firth as Ewen Montagu)

I first read this book over 60 years ago when I found it on my father’s bookshelf. I was a schoolboy at the time and lapped it up. More recently during lockdown I told my granddaughter about the story and bought her a copy of the book. She was fascinated. I recently spotted it available on Kindle and was delighted to buy myself a copy. The story is gripping and very easy to read. I’ve managed to finish the book within one day, fitting in reading between daily chores. It’s a real life adventure that would be worthy of James Bond and if you haven’t read it, I’d recommend you give it a try. You won’t regret it.I’m looking forward to seeing the film Operation Mincemeat with Colin Firth in 2022 which is a modern telling of the story but if you can find the 1950’s film of The Man Who Never Was that too is worth watching.

The author is the man who led the team that created this famous wartime deception. It is well written both from the point of view of detailed accuracy and, by its construction, keeping the reader on edge. I have dvds of both films and this is more exciting and probably more true to life. By the way, the earlier film is better than the more recent one.

Given as a present it is a great read but small thin paperback doesn't do it justice.

My son is still reading this. Says it is very good.

What I liked about this book, is that it is based on a true if somewhat bizarre event that happened in WWII.I like TRUE events to be recorded like this, because I am sick of too many war films which have attempted tore-write history, or at least , - put a different slant on events or people. BUT THIS STORY IS TRUE.I won't spoil the story for any new readers or people who want to see the film, but this is a story of deception, using an already dead body to play another dead body...... if you see what I mean. Safe in the hands of the author - Ben McIntyre - you can be sure of of a fascinating and moving jounrney, as themilitary boffins lead you into a deadly ( sorry about that ), tale of deceit, and deception, which ultimatelyaltered major operations in the course of WWII

Still in print following the release of a further film version of this extraordinary WW2 tale of audaciousdeceit, this is an essential addition to any library of titles that relate to that conflict. Told by the man atthe heart of the tale in a style that reflects the style of other days and the need to retain secrecy at thetime of writing, it holds the attention throughout for its dispassionate account of an inventive exercisein fooling the enemy that went to the highest level - Hitler himself - of the German war machine andsurely saved many lives in the success of its outcome. One can readily imagine and understand Churchill's approval for the proposal when daring minds and plans were needed in the struggle against a meticulousruthless enemy. A superior example is told in this volume by someone who was there!for what was proposed.

I read this version as I had already read the modern version Operation Mincemeat and found it very long and more of a documentary. I was looking for a version that perhaps told it as more of a story.This does do this to a certain extent, but having read the other book I found it lacking in detail, names of other players in the team on both sides, the egos of some, the flaws in others.Also the modern book reveals the name of the body used and other pertinent details that may well have been too sensitive when this book was written.

what a story , things we should remember that helped the war effort

Easy reading , well written, I really liked this one.

Eine Idee, eine Hirngespinst und eine mutige Umsetzung.Augenzeugenbericht des Kopfes der Operation Mincemeat.Viele Bilder und Kopien aus Akten des MOD.

Se lo regale a mi sobri de 12 años, le encantó. Es una historia real y estupenda!

The telling of this important operation (Mincemeat) by the British intelligence services in WWII is a warning for modern times. Can you spot fake news and do you realise when you are being played? This history shows the complexities of trying to save soldiers lives by pulling off an outrageous con. A very well written book and an important topic to highlight.

This is an excellent book of the Corps of the Royal Marines.