Codename Tricycle

- The True Story of the Second World War's Most Extraordinary Double Agent (Dusko Popov)

By Russell Miller

Apparently the original inspiration for James Bond, Duskov Popov was a notable double agent, working for British Intelligence, during the Second World War. This book details his life, with the clarity of hindsight, placing his missions into the context of the war, along side the top secret code breaking operations at Bletchley Park.

Although Duskov Popov was one of the best agents the British had, and although he was involved in some of the most important espionage operations of the war, it is interesting to note how much leeway he enjoyed when he was in the field. Largely left to operate by himself when he was not in the UK, Popov wasextravagant and flamboyant, much like James Bond. At one point, he is even said to have impressed Ian Fleming in a casino as the two men sometimes moved in the same circles.

The book is an interesting read, but does have some slow moments.

3/5