In 1942, Leo Marks left his father's famous bookshop, 84 Charing Cross Road, and went off to fight the war. He was twenty-two. Soon recognized as a cryptographer of genius, he became head of communications at the Special Operations Executive (SOE), where he revolutionized the codemaking techniques of the Allies and trained some of the most famous agents dropped into occupied Europe, including "the White Rabbit" and Violette Szabo. As a top codemaker, Marks had a unique perspective on one of the most fascinating and, until now, little-known aspects of the Second World War.

Writing with the narrative flair and vivid characterization of his famous screenplays, Marks gives free rein to his keen sense of the absurd and his wry wit, resulting in a thrilling and poignant memoir that celebrates individual courage and endeavor, without losing sight of the human cost and horror of war.

Paperback.

This is a rivetting story about the little-shown codemaking and codebreaking part of WWII. For a role that is basically a desk-job, a cryptographer had an exciting and vital role in the war.

Not once does Marks go into the field; the whole of his war experience was confined to offices and codes and numbers. Yet he is such a good storyteller that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

The size of the font (smaller than usual) and the length of the book (600 pages) can seem daunting at first, but it you push those thoughts to the side, you'll become immersed in a fascinating tale of war and intrigue.

Gave this to my friend dawni's husband. I think he'll enjoy it.