The Mare's Nest

The book follows a fascinating parallel narrative, where the two 'sides' are presented in their modes of thinking, yet hints of the outcomes of any decisions (other than the obvious!) are provided as tantalising teasers to each next chapter.

The entire subject, that is, weapon development in WWII - may seem vast, but really this is a treatment of the intelligence efforts relating to the V-weapons. When considered, should any document on this subject not be more than a very narrow, dry, discourse?

Quite the opposite! Mr Irving provides insight into the personalities involved, fairly treating them with absolutely no obvious bias one way or the other.

I found myself, on two or three occasions, second-guessing (not accepting?) Mr Irving's analysis of some of the player's motivations (eg, Cherwell), but then realising that this is part of the good authorship of this book: A viewpoint is not so hammered down that it is not left open to some interpretation. This, I find, is commendable.