The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington Summary and Reviews

The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington
by Jennet Conant

The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington
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Book Summary Information

Author: Jennet Conant
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-09-09
ISBN: 0743294580
Number of pages: 416
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Book Reviews of The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington

Book Review: "Leaving the BSC was like removing a heavy coat"
Summary: 4 Stars

Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Jennet Conant writes another interesting book that delves into the lives of those who helped to shape the history of World War II. For THE IRREGULARS: ROALD DAHL AND THE BRITISH SPY RING IN WARTIME WASHINGTON, Conant examines the auspicious life of well-renowned writer of Children's literature, Roald Dahl, and his participation as a spy in the British Security Coordination(BSC) beginning in 1942 while serving as RAF pilot and ending after the war. The book is not at all an intense examination of the play by play events that occurred, though NBC columnist, Walter Winchell, also had a part, but rather it is an expose of Dahl's role, which particularly reads like a James Bond or Alfred Hitchcock film; undoubtedly, Ian Fleming was one of the key figures within this somewhat exclusive organization who conjured ideas that led to the 007 series.

Conant's book is an interesting biographical sketch of Dahl's life that happened to revolve around the political ramifications of achieving wartime victory for Britain and its allies, especially the US. She shows how he was the epitome of the James Bond-like character with his debonair, dashing good looks, and suave demeanor with various Hollywood and Washingtonian starlets, Patricia Neal and Clare Boothe Luce. However, Dahl did not live a flawless life because he had more than enough brushes with death during air combats as well as health illnesses that was less than thrilling. But when he did have time to spare on and off his somewhat Russian roulette of life, he wrote and collaborated with several people, such as Walt Disney, THE GREMLINS, and Ernest Hemingway, who breathed inspiration to Dahl's own wartime account, OVER TO YOU, which contributed and reflected upon the war effort.

THE IRREGULARS is a well-documented and detailed book that may appeal to the casual reader. It may open the doors for the curious to explore deeper into more extensive works that involve the behind the scene activities that occurred during World War II, and the bibliography at the end of the book is highly recommended for those who seek to go into that direction. Otherwise, this was an insightful book about the Norwegian-born writer that goes beyond "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory."

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