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SOE's Mastermind: The Authorised Biography of Major General Sir Colin Gubbins KCMG, DSO, MC Hardcover – August 18, 2016

by Brian Lett (Author)

149 ratings

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For those with even a passing interest in the Second World War, the name Colin Gubbins is synonymous with the Special Operations Executive (SOE). This is not surprising as from its creation in late 1940 at Prime Minister Winston Churchill's command to set Europe ablaze, Gubbins was the driving force behind SOE. Over the next four years as, first, Operations and Training Director (codename M) and, from 1943, its Commander (CD) he masterminded every aspect of its worldwide covert operations.

Remarkably this is the first full biography of the man whose contribution to victory ranks in the premier league. The Authors research and access to family archives reveal the experiences in The Great War and later in Russia, Ireland, Poland and as Head of British Resistance that made Gubbins such a pivotal and influential wartime figure.

The result is a fascinating biography that reveals as much about SOEs extraordinary activities as it does about the man who inspired and commanded them.

Print length

288 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Pen and Sword Military
Publication date

August 18, 2016
Dimensions

6.5 x 1.5 x 9.5 inches
ISBN-10

9781473863804
ISBN-13

978-1473863804
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lett's volume on Gubbins clearly benefits from the approval of the Gubbin's family, and is written in a more traditional style than some modern biographies."
Friends of the National Army Museum

About the Author

Brian Lett is an author of World War Two history, who has seven books currently in print. He has lectured extensively upon irregular warfare in World War II, including to the British Army. He is a recently retired Queen's Counsel who practised at the Bar of England and Wales for forty-seven years.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1473863805
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen and Sword Military (August 18, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781473863804
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1473863804
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.5 x 9.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,511,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,265 in Intelligence & Espionage History
- #5,204 in Historical British Biographies
- #6,521 in WWII Biographies

Customer Reviews:
149 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		69%
4 star		27%
3 star		3%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star		2%

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Eric Jacobson

Good service

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2019

Verified Purchase

Just as expected.

Helpful

Michael D.

Interesting Gentleman

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2019

Verified Purchase

This Man had a Very Interesting Life. Lots of Information on SOE.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Raymond L. Smith

True story of the Man behind the SOE

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2020

Verified Purchase

A really great read from cover to cover this man was Winston Churchill’s unofficial number one during WW2.
He was the man responsible for forming the Special Operation Executive which shortened the war by years By forming with the help of Sterling and Peter and Ian Fleming formed the SAS and the SOE which from behind enemy lines destabilised the NAZIS from developing nuclear weapons.

2 people found this helpful

MadMatandMe

Interesting read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2020

Verified Purchase

I enjoyed this book. A good book needs, primarily, an interesting centre piece and this book most certainly has this. Gubbin's was a powerful, in terms of focus, fortitude and steadfastness, man with the ability to remain resolute through so many dark times.
The fact that he, like a few others, were thankfully in he positions they were through the first part of the 20th Century ultimately allowed Europe and, quite possibly, the World to be the place it is today.

One person found this helpful

Angry Cumbrian

Adds interest, but could go further.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 6, 2021

Verified Purchase

Looked this up via Damian Lewis' SAS/SOE Books and it was an easily paced, digestible book to add some background to a hugely important historical figure.

It was well researched, informative of early years, but I felt it became lighter towards the middle/end of WW2, and concentrated on only a few operations, which felt like a missed opportunity, even considering classification and so on. Seems a pity Gubbins never provided an autobiography, or at least something releasable within his limitations, particularly after 1945.

Adds interest, but could go further.

Alan Falder

A glimpse behind the curtain

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2020

Verified Purchase

An interesting and intriguing read that shows how one man shaped the setting up of what is now known as SOE. The details are clear and present a different perspective upon many things that were shrouded in secrecy at the time.
Only a few of the more famous episodes are detailed, but a very interesting read throughout.

dm h

A wonderful man how spent his life making our live better in a free world

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2020

Verified Purchase

I had come across Colin gubbings. In my reading the stories of various AND agents but did not realise lot what a wonderful and caring man may be contiue with his field sports in heaven

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SOE's Mastermind: The Authorised Biography of Major General Sir Colin Gubbins KCMG, DSO, MC Hardcover – August 18, 2016

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