Review: Agent Zigzag

Full title: Agent Zigzag - A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal
Author: Ben Macintyre
Publisher: Harmony Books
Total Pages: 364

It has been said that sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. The story of Agent Zigzag is one such instance. Ben Macintyre tells the story of Eddie Chapman, a suave and debonair petty criminal, who began World War II as a prisoner and nearly ended it as one of Britain's top secret agents.

Macintyre takes the reader through the escapades of Chapman the criminal up to his arrest by the Germans. It is shortly after this point that Chapman is recruited, not by his homeland, but by the Nazis to act as a secret agent for Germany. Chapman is sent back to England with orders to sabotage a factory and to record as much useful intelligence information as possible. Upon his arrival, Chapman promptly reports himself to the British authorities as a German spy. Ever the patriot, Chapman volunteers to work as a double-agent, spying on the Germans. With the help of many within the British government, an elaborate ruse makes him appear to have accomplished his mission and he returns to the Germans, who are none the wiser. The book goes on to detail Chapman's time with the Germans and his return (a second time) to England, as well as his tangled love life.

Throughout this work, Macintyre paints an intriguing profile of a man who could be both extraordinarily likable yet decidedly deceitful. This contrast is on display throughout. Written from many first-hand accounts from those who knew or worked with Chapman, as well as Chapman himself, the book contains much research, including an interesting appendix on coding for radio messages. The book also contains an interesting assortment of pictures, both of main characters in the story, as well as prominent locations. Finally, the book concludes with a brief recounting of the lives of the main characters from the end of the war to the present.

While the story itself is, on the surface, an intriguing one, for whatever reason, I had a very difficult time reading this book. I never felt truly engaged in the story or by its characters. While it is well-written, with great description, there seemed to be almost a lack of urgency. There are several points where the plot slowed to a crawl. I did not find myself turning the pages, anxious to see what would happen next. I will admit that it is certainly possible that I entered this book with unrealistic expectations and, as such, also left it feeling unfulfilled.

Bottom line:

Would I read it again? No
Would I recommend this book to someone else? Only to those who are truly interested in espionage and/or British history.