Spies in the Congo

“A clever book.” —London Review of Books

“An excellent contribution to the history of intelligence, Africa, World War Two and Atomic Power.” —The Cipher Brief

“A commendable addition.” —New York Journal of Books

“Authentic and well-documented…fascinating and intricate.” —Galveston County Daily News

“A dense and engaging work on a key aspect of the Manhattan Project….Chock-full of spies and their fanciful code names as well as insightful accounts of the jealousies between the American and British. A fine complement to other accounts of wartime efforts to keep atomic weapons from the Germans.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Readers will not regret learning about the activities of some of America's least heralded spies…Williams's niche but engrossing story offers new insight on intelligence activities in sub-Saharan Africa during WWII.” —Publishers Weekly

“A well-paced read based on archival documents, this work should appeal to those interested in the history of World War II, special operations, and the origins of the nuclear age.” —Library Journal

“This is an extraordinary and fascinating story, revealed here with all the detail and pace of a well-crafted thriller.” —Alexander McCall Smith, author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

“Williams reveals, with painstaking research and delightful prose, the conspiracies that transformed the Congo into the chessboard for superpower politics. This may seem like a far-gone era, but the repercussions of Shinkolobwe and Hiroshima are alive in the imaginations and politics of the Congo today. An important history, and a superbly crafted story.” —Jason Stearns, author of Dancing in the Glory of Monsters

“With wit, insight, and a fabulous story-telling ability, Susan Williams has taken a crucial but little-known piece of nuclear history and turned it into a remarkable tale of espionage, intrigue, romance, and murder that will keep readers riveted from start to finish. Those who thought they knew the history of the development of the atomic bombs are in for a big surprise. A magnificent achievement!” —Peter Kuznick, Professor of History and Director of the Nuclear Studies Institute, American University, and co-author (with Oliver Stone) of The Untold History of the United States

“Gripping…A little-known story, but one with a terribly familiar ring—and ultimately devastating consequences.” —The Economist

“Susan Williams' new, meticulously researched book has shades of Graham Greene, a hint of Conrad, even echoes of Indiana Jones…truly a thriller.” —The Guardian

“Meticulously-researched and masterfully written…A real-life spy thriller.” —Joe Lauria, The Huffington Post

“A remarkable discovery…To have found in the history of the Second World War a million square miles of unfamiliar territory–the Congo–is an achievement in itself. On top of that, Williams' story is thrilling.” —The Telegraph

“Nuanced but gripping...Williams does a sterling job of delineating a complicated plot while at the same time giving a clear sense of the characters of the major players.” —The Spectator

“Chilling… Spies in the Congo is an espionage classic. Scrupulously researched, it illuminates a barely-known aspect of arguably the most significant event of the 20th century, giving fresh perspectives. “ —The Scotsman

“Williams tells a story that is sometimes comical, sometimes tragic, but always riveting.” —History of War