Nov 16, 2019
Henry Hemming tells us more about the astonishing story of the
British spies who set out to draw America into World War II.
As World War II raged into its second year, Britain sought a
powerful ally to join its cause-but the American public was sharply
divided on the subject. Canadian-born MI6 officer William
Stephenson, with his knowledge and influence in North America, was
chosen to change their minds by any means necessary.
In this extraordinary tale of foreign influence on American shores,
Henry Hemming shows how Stephenson came to New York--hiring
Canadian staffers to keep his operations secret--and flooded the
American market with propaganda supporting Franklin Roosevelt and
decrying Nazism.
His chief opponent was Charles Lindbergh, an insurgent populist who
campaigned under the slogan "America First" and had no interest in
the war. This set up a shadow duel between Lindbergh and
Stephenson, each trying to turn public opinion his way, with the
lives of millions potentially on the line.