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Iron Spy: The True Story of the Greatest Double Agent in World War II
Known as Fritz to his German spy-handlers and Zig-Zag to the British secret service, Eddie Chapman was a man of many faces. While his early life was rife with petty crime, gang activity and a dishonourable discharge from the British military, Chapman’s unique skills were eventually sought out by Nazi Germany, and after convincing them he could use his criminal contacts to sabotage the English forces, he was quickly recruited.
But Chapman’s loyalty to his country knew no limits. A talented, handsome, and reckless Englishman, Chapman was a traitor on the surface but a fearless patriot on the inside. After cracking Germany’s military code, the British sought Chapman for their own affairs, and Chapman was happy to oblige.
Eventually being awarded the prestigious Nazi Iron Cross for services to Germany while acting as a double agent for Britain, Chapman’s espionage efforts involved masterful deceit and feats which few men alive could ever boast of.
Eddie Chapman’s life story is an unbelievable journey of crime, jail-breaks, treachery, and love. He was responsible for saving countless lives during his career, cementing himself as the ultimate double agent during World War II.
But Chapman’s loyalty to his country knew no limits. A talented, handsome, and reckless Englishman, Chapman was a traitor on the surface but a fearless patriot on the inside. After cracking Germany’s military code, the British sought Chapman for their own affairs, and Chapman was happy to oblige.
Eventually being awarded the prestigious Nazi Iron Cross for services to Germany while acting as a double agent for Britain, Chapman’s espionage efforts involved masterful deceit and feats which few men alive could ever boast of.
Eddie Chapman’s life story is an unbelievable journey of crime, jail-breaks, treachery, and love. He was responsible for saving countless lives during his career, cementing himself as the ultimate double agent during World War II.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 17, 2020
A very short, quick read. It may be sparse on details but it covers all the bare bones of Chapman’s story. This would probably be a good book for a middle schooler to write a report. The author is missing the sense of thrill, danger, urgency, and action that ought to be present in an account of double agent spy. However, it was a fascinating account, and definitely got me more interested. I will gladly read more in-depth books about Agent Zigzag once this quarantine is over.
February 27, 2019
Chapman, Eddie Chapman
It's flip to say that truth is stranger than fiction, but in this case truth may have helped inspire fiction. In the midst of this matter of fast yet engrossing tale is a note that the double agent knew Ian Fleming, who wrote about a certain secret agent... I digress.
Eddie Chapman's story is well written, from his start as a bored thief to the height of his work as a well trained, motivated (by romance or lust, but still motivated) agent working for Britain. And Germany. During the Second World War, which is improbable, daring, and heroic. The book follows Eddie through the remainder of his post-war life as well.
I'm no scholar of history, yet found this book intriguing and would read more from this author. An example of the writing:
"His efforts ensured that the Germans didn’t gain more of a foothold and hastened the end of the war. While it is likely that the Allies would have still won the war without Eddie’s help, it is also likely that the war could have carried on for longer, causing the death of many thousands more people. Agent Zigzag was the perfect moniker for Eddie Chapman. He tap-danced along the fine line between good and bad, certainly during the war, where to he played his German spymasters perfectly. Eddie never stopped zigging and zagging throughout his life."
It's flip to say that truth is stranger than fiction, but in this case truth may have helped inspire fiction. In the midst of this matter of fast yet engrossing tale is a note that the double agent knew Ian Fleming, who wrote about a certain secret agent... I digress.
Eddie Chapman's story is well written, from his start as a bored thief to the height of his work as a well trained, motivated (by romance or lust, but still motivated) agent working for Britain. And Germany. During the Second World War, which is improbable, daring, and heroic. The book follows Eddie through the remainder of his post-war life as well.
I'm no scholar of history, yet found this book intriguing and would read more from this author. An example of the writing:
"His efforts ensured that the Germans didn’t gain more of a foothold and hastened the end of the war. While it is likely that the Allies would have still won the war without Eddie’s help, it is also likely that the war could have carried on for longer, causing the death of many thousands more people. Agent Zigzag was the perfect moniker for Eddie Chapman. He tap-danced along the fine line between good and bad, certainly during the war, where to he played his German spymasters perfectly. Eddie never stopped zigging and zagging throughout his life."
May 17, 2023
Very interesting story - it was mainly facts about the double agent/spy who was a criminal turned spy for Britain while making the germans think he was spying for them and sabotaging British buildings. He was a bit of a nare-do-well and went back to crime once the war was over. Interesting yet not a thrill-a-minute read.
March 8, 2023
How could this book be so bad?
If you set out to write a book about a double agent spy during World War II, you would be challenged to write a more boring and pedestrian story as this. Spelling and grammar errors are one constant theme. It has about as much action as a trip to the supermarket. Sorry to do this, but I can’t recommend this.
If you set out to write a book about a double agent spy during World War II, you would be challenged to write a more boring and pedestrian story as this. Spelling and grammar errors are one constant theme. It has about as much action as a trip to the supermarket. Sorry to do this, but I can’t recommend this.
May 11, 2019
I found this a very interesting book because I really enjoyed the history side of it and was looking forward to the 007 stories. I have to admit it was a little hard for me to get through at times mainly because I felt it read more like a paper then a book so I would find myself not paying attention to the story and having to go back and re-listen. The narration was a bit slow at times too, which didn't help to keeping me actively listening. I probably should have bumped the speed up a bit but didn't think about until after I finished it. Overall, I did like it and found it very interesting but I do wish it was a bit more engaging like his Anti-Hero book. It does have some more mature content (no sex scenes) but it does to into his philandering and womanizing. I would recommend high school and up level read.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 10, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
The British and the Germans certainly had their hands full with a rogue like Eddie Chapman. He led a very interesting, and at times, a very scary life during World War II. Eddie was a criminal who was always interested in bettering his situation - whether it was with the ladies or financially. However, given his history, who could have predicted that Eddie was incredibly patriotic and was able to so deftly play the Germans to Britain's benefit during WWII - and of course, benefit personally.
The narrator, Guy Mott, did a good job. I did not have any trouble with his pace or his delivery as mentioned by some other reviewers.
The British and the Germans certainly had their hands full with a rogue like Eddie Chapman. He led a very interesting, and at times, a very scary life during World War II. Eddie was a criminal who was always interested in bettering his situation - whether it was with the ladies or financially. However, given his history, who could have predicted that Eddie was incredibly patriotic and was able to so deftly play the Germans to Britain's benefit during WWII - and of course, benefit personally.
The narrator, Guy Mott, did a good job. I did not have any trouble with his pace or his delivery as mentioned by some other reviewers.
June 22, 2020
An interesting look at spying in Europe during WWII
I am not real sure how I feel about this instance is spying after reading this book, but war is hell and using crooks as spies should not be a surprise. With that said, Eddie Chapman’s life story is an unbelievable tale of crime, jail-breaks, perfidy, and love. His spying was to be responsible for saving countless lives during his career as a spy. This fact alone certainly, secured his place as on of the ultimate double agents during the war.
I am not real sure how I feel about this instance is spying after reading this book, but war is hell and using crooks as spies should not be a surprise. With that said, Eddie Chapman’s life story is an unbelievable tale of crime, jail-breaks, perfidy, and love. His spying was to be responsible for saving countless lives during his career as a spy. This fact alone certainly, secured his place as on of the ultimate double agents during the war.
April 30, 2019
Iron Spy: The True Story of the Greatest Double Agent in World War II (Espionage) was a good read by Ethan Quinn. Eddie Chapman was a double agent during World War II. To the Germans he was kn own as Fritz and to the British Secret Service he was known as Zig-Zag. This book was a good life story of a man who had an incredible journey of crime, treachery and love. This was a great read by Ethan Quinn.
March 8, 2019
An excellent read
I found this book of great interest.
I have read other books on Agent Zigzag, also very interesting, however, I found this book gripping and difficult to put down.
Many thanks.
Llew
I found this book of great interest.
I have read other books on Agent Zigzag, also very interesting, however, I found this book gripping and difficult to put down.
Many thanks.
Llew
August 29, 2021
All the facts in a pleasant read
Great ' day at the lake' book. Quick read and interesting subject matter. Not too much fluff but would have enjoyed a little more detail. All in all a good purchase.
Great ' day at the lake' book. Quick read and interesting subject matter. Not too much fluff but would have enjoyed a little more detail. All in all a good purchase.
November 6, 2023
Interesting story but, poorly adapted to the e-reader with many inconsistencies.
Every wonder where many of the stories for James Bond came from, look no further.
A crook, criminal, lover, spy, and double agent this man did it all during WWII for both England and Germany.
Every wonder where many of the stories for James Bond came from, look no further.
A crook, criminal, lover, spy, and double agent this man did it all during WWII for both England and Germany.
May 11, 2019
Interesting tale
I like stories regarding the time surround WW2 and thought this to be fascinating to hear tales of what you think happened during the war brought to fruition
I like stories regarding the time surround WW2 and thought this to be fascinating to hear tales of what you think happened during the war brought to fruition
November 7, 2019
A story with twists and turns. Eddie Chapman lived an exciting life. The author keeps you hooked from the first page.
Read
May 23, 2020I totally enjoyed this gripping novel which made me feel connected and within a birds eye view of this espionage novel.
My only suggestion is the verbiage could have been more polished.
My only suggestion is the verbiage could have been more polished.
June 23, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I have read other books about this individual and I enjoyed the author's writing and storytelling.
March 13, 2021
Amazing
Very quick read full of adventure and intriguing information. Good for those of us with limited know of WWII. I enjoyed it very much.
Very quick read full of adventure and intriguing information. Good for those of us with limited know of WWII. I enjoyed it very much.
May 23, 2022
Though the book contains some interesting details, it reads too much like a condensed book or cliff notes. Looking forward to reading Ben Macintire's book to learn more about Agent Zigzag.
March 14, 2024
It was very factual and fast paced but interesting
September 3, 2025
This is a really outstanding story and good research, but it is marred by poor editing and ocassionally sloppy writing. Oh, for a good editor....
April 30, 2022
I've really been getting into spy novels lately. This one is a very short, quick read. It was interesting but lacked the thrilling suspense of action and danger one who expect from a double agent spy.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews