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Donovan: America’s Master Spy Paperback – February 4, 2014

4.6 out of 5 stars 21 customer reviews

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Product Details

  • Paperback: 592 pages
  • Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing (February 4, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1626365393
  • ISBN-13: 978-1626365391
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,246 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Wild Bill Donovan was quite a character who had the misfortune to live in very interesting times. Dunlop's book, however, does not tell the tale in a fascinating way, rather it is almost like a timeline of Donovan's life. I guess researchers might be interested in Donovan's exploits in WWI, but those war tales give little insight into Donovan's later activities as Roosevelt's special emissary and the father of the OSS/CIA. From the Title, I was expecting Donovan's WWII activities with the OSS to be the focus of the book and was expecting more discussion of espionage. Instead, Dunlop delivers a detailed chronology of Donovan's mostly public fact finding tours and provides little detail of the spy missions supervised by Donovan.

It was interesting to be reminded just how personal politics and diplomacy were in the 30s and 40s and the descriptions of Donovan's interactions with Roosevelt give some real insight into Roosevelt's thought process and management style. Unfortunately, we don't get much more description of Donovan's thought process and management style, except to get repeated reminders of his energy, hard work, patriotism, and coy references to Donovan's dalliances with attractive women.

In any event the book provides a useful reminder of what happened in the thirties and forties, and provides a lot of detail regarding Donovan's participation in important events, even if it sometimes it seems that the focus is on the events rather than on than on Donovan's contributions.

I only give the book three stars because while the book is informative, it is just not that entertaining. Spies, Espionage, Sex and Politics should be much more entertaining.
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Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This book written about an incredible person and the most turbulent time of history. Donovan in my opinion is one of the most visionary, smart military individual of the history of the US. The book covers too much individual names but the time and actions what Donovan pushed through at the time when the political fighting among the different intelligence services took canning moves to establish the US intelligence service the OSS requires detailed description. Fortunately the government did not get involved in the war material manufacturing otherwise I am not sure we could be victorious. I recommend the book because presently we are in similar situation and where is another Donovan?
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This might be an interesting history of Bill Donovan's life, might be because I didn't, couldn't, read it all. The author speaks of Mr. Donovan in nothing but superlatives, as in; he was always thoughtful, he never said an unkind word to anyone, etc. No one is perfect, well there was ONE but we crucified Him. Anyway, authors should be honest about the frailties, foibles weaknesses and strengths and character of the subject of their books. For me I prefer stories about real people with whom I can identify.
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This book, although about an amazing individual, candidly speaks of the history of the United States during the first half of the 20th century. It allows the reader to feel like a participant. Well done!
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Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
The story of General Donovan should be taught to all Americans as an example to what a true patriot is. Hero is to weak a word to describe his achievements to his country and the free world. He saw things as they where and did what others either lacked in courage or character.
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Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
The story of wild bill Donavan reads like a suspenseful novel. I knew little of this man -the father of our intelligence services- until I read this book. The author has done a remarkable job in bringing an important part of history to life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical novels tho this is a true and riveting story. I gave it five stars because it it written in a clear and concise manner. Found that I had trouble putting it down and read far into the night on many occasions.
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rarely do you ever read a history book that is so well written, it is almost impossible to put the book down. The author did a superb job and I highly recommend this book to any and all who are curious.
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What a story. From WW1 to the cold war, you are in in the passenger seat. An interesting look at history in the making. Well written, exciting, and a behind the scenes look at the birth of the CIA.
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