M: MI5's First Spymaster - Softcover

Hardback edition published in Autumn 2004 generated a huge amount of publicity: Half-page news story with 3 pictures in INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY; Double-page spread in THE DAILY EXPRESS and THE SUNDAY TIMES (Irish edition); Double-page feature written by author in HISTORY TODAY; 10 full page or double-page features in the British regional press; Book discussed on the MICHAEL PARKINSON RADIO SHOW and BREAKFAST WITH FROST. Received fantastic reviews also from bestselling authors: 'Well-researched, penetrating and engagingly written... an important and enjoyable addition to the growing genre of serious spook-history' ANDREW ROBERTS, author of Hitler and Churchill: Secrets of Leadership; 'A brilliantly researched biography of the real "M" - a far more hands-on character than 007's boss' DAME STELLA RIMINGTON, Former Director-General Of MI5 and author of At Risk. More praise: 'Compelling and authoritative... M was the most elusive and fascinating figure in the British Secret Service' LORD ROBERTSON, former Secretary-General of NATO; 'Provides much new and often colourful material' CHRISTOPHER M. ANDREW, author of The Mitrokin Archive. Widely reviewed and critically acclaimed: 'Ground-breaking' THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH; 'The secret life of the Victorian spymaster for became the original M' THE DAILY EXPRESS; 'One of the great espionage mysteries has finally been solved' THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY. Reviews in the paperback review sections of national daily and Sunday newspapers, weeklies, and history magazines to include The Times, THES, BBC History Magazine and The Sunday Telegraph.

William Melville was one of the most influential counter - espionage figures of the twentieth century. This work presents the true story of the real M, William Melville, MI5s founding father and the inspiration for Ian Flemings character in "James Bond".