H. Montgomery Hyde (1907–1989)

I have to say I was disappointed in reading this book. The scandal seemed to be something of a damp squib, with only a few underlings actually tried and convicted. It seemed to me (in a bit of a spoiler) that the individuals that fled abroad were mostly the beneficiary of inaction, rather than a desire to cover up crimes. Ultimately, it makes the narrative that much less interesting.

I picked this up for two main reasons: 1. The Ian Fleming foreword, and 2. Although I was aware of the British intelligence operations based in New York during WW2 (I’d referenced them in one of my pulp stories) I didn’t really know the details. This series of recollections and case stories by one of their former operatives provides some degree of insight. However as this was written in 1962 most of the content has been superseded by declassification of certain material and more recent show more scholarship. But it remains a readable first hand account of an often overlooked area of wartime Anglo-American cooperation. show less

As Stephenson burned his records and laid several false trails in interviews and autobiography, there is no definitive biography, but this takes a good stab at it. He was concerned to cloak his early years and poor reputation in Winnipeg.

1130 Roger Casement Famous Trials Ninth Series, by H. Montgomery Hyde (read 23 Sep 1971) Casement was born in 1864 and on April 21, 1916, he landed from a German submarine on the Irish coast. He was captured, taken to London, and tried for treason under an old statute. The key words of this statute were that he was "adherent to the King's enemies in his realm giving them aid and comfort in the realm and elsewhere." All the acts proved against Casement were committed in Germany, so the show more defense was that the acts were not committed in the King's realm. I think the statute is obscure and ambiguous, so Casement should have been acquitted. But apparently this common law rule is not applicable in England! Very interesting book. It spends much time on the diaries. The author is convinced they are genuine. A well-written and intriguing book. show less