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  • Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

  • The Mavericks who Plotted Hitler’s Defeat
  • By: Giles Milton
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
  • Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (1,196 ratings)
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Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare cover art

Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

By: Giles Milton
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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Summary

'This was a secret war whose battles were lost or won unknown to the public.... No such warfare had ever been waged by mortal men.' (Winston Churchill)

Shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War, a country house called The Firs in Buckinghamshire was requisitioned by the War Office. Sentries were posted at the entrance gates, and barbed wire was strung around the perimeter fence. To local villagers it looked like a prison camp. But the truth was far more sinister. This rambling Edwardian mansion had become home to an eccentric band of scientists, inventors and bluestockings. Their task was to build devastating new weaponry that could be used against the Nazis.

Led by the gung-ho Millis Jefferis, the men and women who worked at Churchill's Toyshop, as it became known, devised many of the key weapons of the Second World War. Their prototype limpet mine made possible the Cockleshell Raid on Bordeaux Harbour. Churchill said that this one raid alone shortened the war by six months. Next they pioneered the water bomb that closed the Rhine to German shipping.

Although the team at Churchill's Toyshop proved extraordinarily adept, they were not working alone. Other country houses were also requisitioned and handed over to the specialists. Some focused on developing new weapons; some planned sabotage missions in occupied Europe; some became training schools for agents. But all were working towards a common goal: the destruction of the Nazi war machine. Collectively they were known as the Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

©2016 Giles Milton (P)2016 John Murray Press
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

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Humbling and enthralling

I never tire of hearing tales of sacrifice and commitment made by those in WWII that allow us the freedom to lead the lives we lead today. These tales are made all the more fascinating when you learn of how those selfless acts of bravery were supported by a small army of crackpots and geniuses who dared stand by their convictions and in the face of conventional thinking.

This book covers the people and the operations undertaken in perfect detail. The narration is well suited and the book an easy listen. One of the best audible books I've bought.

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20 people found this helpful

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A truly incredible story.

Takes a short while to get going but it takes hold and becomes gripping to the end. I knew so many of the stories contained within but never knew how they were linked to so few people. Story superbly written and fabulously narrated. A top notch purchase.

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10 people found this helpful

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exhilarating

Should be in every school and public library in the country.
Giles Milton has done an outstanding job.

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10 people found this helpful

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one of my favorites, simply fantastic

This is an incredible work of history and one of the most compelling audio books i have ever listened to. Fantastically well researched, delightfully written, and superbly narrated. Absolutely you must listen

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9 people found this helpful

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A great story!

An interesting tale about the secret heroes of World War 2 and their many great but little known exploits.

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5 people found this helpful

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Excellent book written like a novel

Interesting book, but in parts it became too much like a novel and the accents put on did get annoying in parts. That said I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it.

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4 people found this helpful

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Boys own stuff

When the chips were down they did as the British always do innovate adapt and surprise showing what a few well motivated men can turn the cause of an entire nation .

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4 people found this helpful

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Great book

For those baby boomers amongst us, who could’ve just as easily been born with a different mother language, if WW2 had turned out with a Nazi victory , it is great to know these brilliantly brave souls were there for us. A fantastic read, and much recommended. Thank you Mr Gubbins et al.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very interesting - lead in too long and indulgent

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Provides an interesting context for unusual weapons and their use.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare?

Limpet mine developed with parts from Woolworths!

What does Jonathan Keeble bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Good depth of voices

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Almost gave up with the irritatingly long introduction and overly detailed background to some of the participants.

Any additional comments?

Worth the wait....brilliant after about 25% of the way in.

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3 people found this helpful

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Absolutely staggering

A complete picture of the Second World War would be a disservice without this book.

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3 people found this helpful