He masterminded the international intelligence network that halted the Nazi juggernaut. Sir Wm Stephenson, the man called Intrepid, & his activities are this book's subject. Because he sought anonymity, held no military rank & wore no uniform after 1918, he never publicly displayed the decorations & medals awarded him. He holds the (UK) Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, '14-15 Star, General Service Medal, WWI Victory Medal, Badge of Knighthood; (French) Commander of the Legion of Honor, (Belgian) Croix de Guerre with Palms; (USA) Presidential Medal for Merit--the 1st non-American to receive it.

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Stevenson, no relative of Sir William despite the similarity of their names, is a Canadian, tho born in England. He's a journalist, having been a foreign correspondent & bureau chief for British & Canadian papers. He's been a tv writer & producer & author of seven previous books. His most recent journalistic achievement was 90 Minutes at Entebbe, the account of Israel's rescue mission. He was a naval flyer during WWII & met Sir William on special assignment to intelligence. They've remained friends ever since. Sir William entrusted his files to Stevenson with authority & discretion to write this selective narrative.

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