Spy of the Century is an excellent book for understanding the political and social environment in the Austro-Hungarian Empire of the early 20th century.

Read the complete review here.

Roads To The Great War Blog

The authors have… managed to give us what is probably be the best account of Redl’s life and military career so far, while throwing some light on the military, social, cultural, and intelligence milieu in which he thrived.

New York Military Affairs

In the decade leading up to war, Colonel Alfred Redl, deputy head of the Austro-Hungarian General Staff's directorate of military intelligence had betrayed his country's secrets to the Italians, French and Russians. At 2.00am and 25th May 1913 he took his own life with a single shot from a Browning. This book tells his story for the first time following the rediscovery of long lost records. A tragic story emerges of a man forced to hide his true sexuality and who used his wealth to please his younger lover. The scandal was huge and spawned many myths and legends. Now, for the first time, after more than 100 years the true story has been pieced together.

Fascinating work. 10/10

The Great War Magazine, January 2017

This book tells the story of someone most of us will never have heard of. John and Silvie have uncovered a fascinating story about a man who played around with military secrets before passing them on to his country's enemies. Sensational!

Books Monthly, January 2017 – reviewed by Paul Norman

In war, and in the steps to war, single individuals frequently make significant contributions to the course of events
through espionage. The nature of their craft often means that their actions go unnoticed for many years or, sometimes, for ever. This
first full biography in English of Alfred Redl is a much under-told story that contains all the elements of a cracking fictional tale of
spies. Strongly Recommended.

Read the full review here.

Firetrench