Selects: Operation Mincemeat: How A Corpse Fooled the Nazis

The Milliner's Hat Mystery, first published in 1937, follows the investigation of the murder of Bernard Pitt, whose body is found with false identity documents. The trail leads to France, uncovering a network of criminals with high political connections. This novel is part of the Inspector Richardson series and has inspired authors like Ian Fleming.

The book describes the daring operation where a corpse, disguised as Royal Marine Captain William Martin, was washed ashore in Spain with false documents to mislead the Germans about the planned Allied invasion. Written by Ewen Montagu, who was instrumental in the operation, the book provides a detailed and firsthand account of this significant military deception. It highlights the complexity and success of the operation, which contributed significantly to the Allied victory in World War II.

In 'Operation Mincemeat', Ben Macintyre recounts the extraordinary true story of how British intelligence officers Charles Cholmondeley and Ewen Montagu devised a plan to deceive the Nazis. The plan involved using a corpse equipped with false documents to mislead the Germans about the Allied invasion of Sicily. The operation, approved by high-ranking officials including Ian Fleming, was a complex and risky deception that ultimately succeeded in convincing the Nazis that the invasion would occur in Greece or Sardinia, rather than Sicily. The book delves into the intricate details of the operation, the personalities involved, and the broader context of wartime espionage.

In 'James and the Giant Peach', Roald Dahl tells the story of James Henry Trotter, a young boy whose life is turned upside down after his parents are killed by a rhinoceros. James is forced to live with his abusive aunts, Spiker and Sponge, until a mysterious old man gives him magic crystals that accidentally cause a giant peach to grow. Inside the peach, James meets a group of oversized, friendly insects: a grasshopper, a spider, a ladybug, a centipede, an earthworm, and a silkworm. Together, they escape the aunts and embark on a fantastical journey across the Atlantic Ocean, facing various challenges such as sharks, Cloud-Men, and other obstacles. The story highlights themes of resilience, friendship, and the power of imagination, ultimately leading James to a happier life in New York City.