Into the Lion's Mouth: The True Story of Dusko Popov: Word War II Spy, Patriot, and the Real-Life Inspiration for James Bond

Overall, I thought the book was interesting, but the combination of too many characters and Mr. Loftis's writing style dampened my enthusiasm for the book. The one very interesting point that Mr. Loftis raised is that Dusko Popov attempted to alert American intelligence to the possibility of a Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. Between German inquiries of Pearl Harbor's defenses and the Japanese interest in the British attack on the Italian navy at Taranto there were clear warning signs. Never resolved is why American intelligence never passed this vital intelligence to President Roosevelt. I also applaud Mr. Loftis for incorporating primary source material to explain the the challenges of navigating a double agent.That said, the heavy reliance on primary sources also kept the story from flowing more freely through the book. As a result, this felt a little more like a scholarly analysis rather than a fast-paced thriller. I felt as though Mr. Loftis was trying to navigate two distinct audiences I suspect neither will be completely pleased with the book. Also, there were a lot of characters to keep straight especially as he bounced between names for the some of the key players. Too often I felt as though extraneous matters worked their way into the book at the expense of a great tale of bravery and friendship between Dusko Popov and Johnny Jebsen.People will learn some interesting aspects of spycraft in this book as well the strange network of relationships (compounded with distrust) that existed in intelligence circles during World War II. That said, if you are looking for a fun and easy Bond-type book, I would not necessarily recommend picking up this particular book. It's too bad because I had heard Mr. Loftis talk about his book on The Art of Manliness podcast and I had pretty high expectations.

Fascinating story of double/triple agents in WWII. Ian Fleming modeled his first James Bond book, Casino Royale, on the main spy, Dusko, in this true story since he was one of his British handlers. You will easily note the similarities Many people involved in Germany, England and the U.S. so one has to focus on all the characters. I read it on the Kindle and it is really a book that should be in print version so it would be easy to go back and refer to the list of "players" in this true spy game. I took pictures with my phone of the character pages and could refer to them easily while reading. Spy methods were quite primitive. Herbert Hoover did not convey important information to other government officials. If you are a student of WWII this is an important book to add to your list. Not the easiest or quickest read, but worth the time and effort. Really admire the research that the author pursued to bring this book to fruition. Spying had some pretty primitive methods in the "40's. One wouldn't last a week in today's high tech world, and realizing those simpler times was a treasure.

This book is really insightful and exceptionally well researched. I take one star because at times it is excruciatingly detailed, and hard to follow. There are some paragraphs where the storyline is so intricate, the actors so diverse (referred by their code names - which keep changing for the same person, given many are double agents with names from both sides) that it's very hard to keep the pace.That said, the author does a very good job at telling the story of this agent, his family, his work during WW2 and the nuances and espionage anecdotes that took place in Europe during the war. The story links very well to key events in the war such as the Japanese' attack on Pearl Harbor and D-Day invasion of Normandy. I won't spoil it, so I will just say it was really amazing to read about Dusko Popov's role and work with the FBI and US officials prior to the US entering the war.

For any fan of history, biography, and, of course, James Bond, this is a must read. Loftis presents the story of Dusko Popov, Ian Fleming's model for the character of James Bond. As you read this story, you'll feel as if you are right in the middle of a Bond thriller... except everything here actually happened. I'd heard snippets of the Popov story from other WWII books I'd read, so was aware of who he was and his relationship to Ian Fleming. But that's all that I'd had on him - snippets. This book tells his full story. Loftis' narrative, as mentioned, reads like a Bond novel so you'll never be bogged down and the pace will keep you turning the page. Maybe more interesting than his exploits in WWII is the post-war chapter of his life. This one was well worth the read!

Just fabulous, riveting and quite informative. Hollywood/Ian Fleming could never reproduce even a fictional story that would rival the true life story of Dusko Popov. Simply remarkable was his continued willingness to place himself in among those who would vaporize him in a moment if discovered. Such steely nerves. Book is bit difficult for the first few chapters, but they do lay the ground work for an exciting and captivating 2nd half. Found interesting the information presented regarding the (still) dysfunctional FBI and that truly dangerous/repugnant person: J. Edgar Hoover. Similar to the revelations about Hoover contained in Betty Metzger's book 'The Burglary'; her book on the Media, PA burglary of the local FBI office during the Vietnam protest period. The stark contrast between someone like Dusko Popov and the Brits vs Hoover & the FBI is simply staggering. All that aside, hang in there through the first part of the book, it rewards you as you move on.

Fabulous read...any person into WW#2, Dbble-X , Triple-X spying will be infatuated with this book, just recent well-written and researched.Dusko Popov model for James Bond was the "Real Spy" risking his life with the Gestapo, (anytime death by Luger for false information,0 which was always checked..intensively by his Nazi-Gestapo handlers and Superiors.. He constantly risked his life, supplying MI6 with Nazi intel,..he knew the ruses of the Japanese for Pearl Harbour and Delayed Hitler and Rommel at the Pas de Calais for the Normandy Invasion......Fiction cannot touch the reality of this book.....Paul Herriott

Thoroughly researched. Expertly written. More thrilling than a novel. This stuff really happened!You get to see a real inside look at what went on behind the scenes during WWII.

Well written, a book you need to put full attention to while reading as things can get confusing. Nothing to do with the authors style or writing, just the business of espionage.

The real James Bond