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Rogue Agent

From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, The Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart

James Crossland

$52.99

Hardback

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English
Elliott & Thompson Limited
18 December 2024
Sir Robert Bruce Lockhart was an impressive figure in his time: a diplomat, intelligence agent, journalist, author and propagandist. A man who charmed his way into the confidences of everyone from Leon Trotsky to Anthony Eden, and who influential press baron Lord Beaverbook claimed ‘could well have been prime minister’. And yet he died mostly unremembered and near destitute, becoming little more than a footnote in the pages of history.

Rogue Agent puts Lockhart back in the spotlight, chronicling the life of this gifted yet habitually flawed upstart in its entirety, from his time as Britain’s ‘Agent’ in Moscow, when he conspired with MI6’s ‘Ace of Spies’ Sidney Reilly to bring down the Communist regime, to leading the Political Warfare Executive (PWE), a secret body responsible for disinformation and propaganda in the Second World War. Along the way we see Lockhart, flaws and all, from his many affairs to crippling bouts of self-doubt and depression, and a hedonistic lifestyle that left him in a state of perpetual debt.

Exploring his contributions to the development of psychological warfare, his unorthodox mind and his penchant for long nights and dangerous women, Rogue Agent presents a full account of Lockhart’s life that restores him to the historical record and explains why he never fulfilled the potential others saw in him. This is the untold story of one the most unconventional heroes of the world’s darkest decades.
By:  
Imprint:   Elliott & Thompson Limited
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 235mm,  Width: 156mm, 
ISBN:   9781783968046
ISBN 10:   1783968044
Pages:   304
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active

James Crossland is a Reader in International History at Liverpool John Moores University and the author of three books: Britain and the International Committee of the Red Cross, 1939–1945 (Palgrave, 2014), War, Law and Humanity: The Campaign to Control Warfare, 1853–1914 (Bloomsbury, 2018) and The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Terrorism (Manchester University Press, 2023). Crossland has also written extensively on the history of warfare, intelligence, fake news, terrorism and propaganda for popular history magazines.

Reviews for Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, The Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart

‘In this highly readable biography of secret agent Robert Bruce Lockhart, James Crossland unravels a fascinating life … Crossland has unravelled a fascinating life and created a crisp, readable narrative. It is impossible not to keep the pages turning’ Scotland on Sunday ‘Compelling and meticulously researched, the riveting life of a maverick Scottish spy.’ Charles Cumming ‘In this rigorously researched yet lively and highly readable account, James Crossland cuts through the myth and legend to tell a compelling story.’ Professor Rory Cormac, author of How to Stage a Coup   ‘This riveting account of Lockhart’s adventures in revolutionary Russia, his penchant for exotic women and extravagant nightlife, reads like a thriller.’ Julia Boyd, author of A Village in the Third Reich   ‘A mesmerising tale of espionage and journalism . . . when an elite Scot with “no drop of English blood in my veins” might believe he could almost single-handedly change world history.’ James Hawes, author of The Shortest History of Germany  ‘From defying Bolsheviks in Russia to bedding princesses in Malaya, the hero of James Crossland’s book Rogue Agent was quite the bounder … This biography, detailed and engagingly written, gives us the man, warts and all: a restless spirit who might well have achieved more with fewer women and less wine.’ The Daily Telegraph   ‘inspiring, sympathetic and expertly balanced … James Crossland’s Rogue Agent is a surprisingly brisk read that shines a light on an enigmatic figure in British espionage history who has hitherto remained in the shadows. Highly recommended.’ All About History   ‘Great credit to author James Crossland, for it is clear that a tremendous amount of research has gone into bringing us Robert Lockhart's story. It is an intriguing and fascinating read, which I very much enjoyed.’ HistoryBookChat  ‘It’s a brilliant book everyone, go and get it!’ Dan Snow ‘We thoroughly recommend Rogue Agent to any lover of spy stories, and intelligence history as often fact is far more exciting than fiction.’ History with Jackson


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