Agent Zigzag: The True Wartime Story of Eddie Chapman, Lover, Betrayer, Hero, Spy - Ben Macintyre

Advantages: An outstandingly good read
Disadvantages: May cause lack of sleep!

...This is the true story of Eddie Chapman, “lover, traitor, hero and spy” whose extraordinary exploits during the second world war make an totally absorbing read. In 1943, talking of Chapman’s story, Colonel Tim Stephens of MI5 said, “ in fiction it would be rejected as improbable” and any reader of this work would be bound to agree with this assessment. Ben Macintyre has meticulous researched his subject using recently released MI5 records and Chapman’s own manuscripts letters and photos and weaves the facts into a fast moving narrative which is as gripping as any thriller. Chapman was a larger than life character by any criteria. Charming and intelligent, he was most at home on the streets of Soho, where he mixed with all types of individuals -criminals, authors, actors, gamblers and dodgy politicians - with excessive ease, numbering... Read review

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Advantages: Powerful, moving true story of war
Disadvantages: None

..., clothed and protected by the villagers, including local tradesmen and the matriarch Madame Eugenie Dessenne, living under the noses of the German occupiers and masquerading as villagers. Close bonds soon formed between the soldiers and their benefactors, and none closer than that between Digby and Madame Dessenne’s 19-year-old daughter Claire. In November 1915 she gave birth to their daughter Helene, and six months later somebody in Villeret betrayed the men to the Germans. Digby and three others were captured, tried as spies and executed by firing squad. For many years, nobody knew who shopped the men. In 1997 Macintyre went to investigate what happened. With the recollections (albeit very blurred) of Helene, now in her 80s, plus other villagers, archive material and a few surviving letters, he has produced a stark, atmospheric... Read review

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Advantages: Short, essay read especially for first time play readers.
Disadvantages: Experienced Play readers may find this a school standard play.

..., Eddie?” The physical side of their marriage has broken down because Eddie has become obsessive about Catherine and Beatrice has been ignored. Beatrice is trying to make Eddie realise what he is doing, but Eddie cannot see the truth. The act that we condemn most in Eddie, however, is the betrayal of his family when he reports the immigrants to the authorities. Alfieri, Eddie’s lawyer, had already warned him against this action: “You won’t have a friend in the world, Eddie! Even those who understood will turn against you even the ones who feel the same will despise you!” Alfieri‘s warning is true: when Eddie‘s betrayal becomes known to his family and friends they turn against him. Eddie cannot see what he is doing wrong, he is so jealous of Rodolfo and oblivious to his own inappropriate love for Catherine. Like all tragic... Read review

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