Spies, Lies, and Disguise: The Daring Tricks and Deeds That Won World War II by Jennifer Swanson (review)

Swanson, Jennifer Spies, Lies, and Disguise: The Daring Tricks and Deeds That Won World War II; illus. by Kevin O'Malley and with photographs. Bloomsbury, 2019 [160p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-68119-779-1 $21.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-5476-0343-5 $15.39 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 4-7

From the Allies' Ghost Army of inflatable tanks, trucks, and boats, to anthrax-infused cow feed pellets to be air-dropped over Germany, high stakes deceptions and strategic longshots were often as crucial as brute force to gaining advantage in World War II. Here Swanson highlights fifteen operations designed to turn the tide in the Allies' favor. Many of the short chapters narrate war stories that have become legendary, such as the Native American code talkers, the diversionary tactics in advance of D-Day, the resistance fighters and spies in German-occupied territory, and the Bletchley circle laboring to keep up with the ever-shifting Enigma Machine code. Swanson also offers lesser-known but equally fascinating tales: a corpse deployed to deliver Germans disinformation, Sir Barnes Wallis's barrel-shaped bouncing bombs that ruptured dams and flooded the Ruhr Valley, and behind-the-scenes efforts of authors Roald Dahl and Ian Fleming to draw the United States into the War. Black and white photos, O'Malley's cartoon-style recruitment posters and illustrations, and a narrative tone free of textbook stuffiness combine to create broad appeal. An bibliography (adult books only) is included and an index is forthcoming.