Klop: Britain's most ingenious spy

(Hardback)

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Description

Klop Ustinov was Britain's most ingenious spy codenamed U35. He wasn't licensed to kill, he was authorised to tell tall stories that bemused and beguiled the enemy into revealing their deepest secrets. From the Russian Revolution to the Cold War he bluffed and tricked his way into the confidence of Soviet commissars and Gestapo Gruppenfhrer.

Klop was a bon viveur whose nickname meant bedbug, a nickname given him by a very understanding wife on account of his extraordinary capacity to hop from woman's bed to another in the service of the King. He was descended from Russian aristocrats and Ethiopian princesses but fancied himself the perfect Englishman.

He passed on his talent as a raconteur to his famous son, the actor Peter Ustinov, but Klop's untold story is more amazing and entertaining than any of Peter's chat show anecdotes.

Reviews

"Day offers a vivid, richly researched and highly entertaining portrait of this most colourful of 20th-Century spooks." Christopher Hart, Sunday Times "4/5 for Day's readable narrative" The Telegraph "4/5 A fascinating behind-the-scenes account of World War II and the Cold War... Using anecdotes and first-hand accounts, it brings the palpable fear of wartime espionage to life - This thoroughly well-researched book is an excellent addition to the history of the Cold War and will fascinate anyone interested in real-life stories of secret agents, conspiracy, defectors, and top secret intelligence." Daily Express "Day has written a richly researched portrait of this most wonderful of all 20th-century spooks." Catholic Herald "What a great book. I am holding it all day in my arms where ever I go, like a new born baby. Thank you for having restored to him the life he deserves." Igor Ustinov "By their very nature all spy stories are extraordinary, but this particular tale certainly surpasses them all!" Britain At War

Author Bio

Peter Day has forty years' experience in journalism, including more than a decade as a senior reporter and newsdesk executive for the Mail on Sunday. Since turning freelance he has specialised in archive research, breaking exclusive stories on politics, royalty, military history and espionage. His previous book, Franco's Friends, was published by Biteback in 2011.