Traitor's Odyssey: The Untold Story of Martha Dodd and a Strange Saga of Soviet Espionage

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Brendan McNally

Traitor's Odyssey

The Untold Story of Martha Dodd and a Strange Saga of Soviet Espionage

Brendan McNally

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Address book

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QTY:

English

Icon Books
01 February 2026

Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000; Military history; Marxism & Communism; Socialism & left-of-centre democratic ideologies; Espionage & secret services

'A delicious, gossipy and thoroughly engaging romp heartily recommended.' - Tim Tate, author of Hitler's British Traitors and The Spy Who Was Left Out in the Cold

Ambassador's daughter, Nazi love interest, Soviet spy, FBI most wanted.

Accompanying her parents to Berlin in the 1930s, Martha Dodd knew almost nothing about Adolf Hitler or the Nazis. Yet almost overnight, she stepped into the spotlight, and found herself at the over-heated centre of Hitler's 'New Germany', befriending and dating several high-ranking Nazis, including the head of the Gestapo.

An affair with a dashing Russian diplomat saw her recruited as a spy, and so began a long and tumultuous career in both Berlin and America, including attempts to infiltrate First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt's inner circle and playing a key role in Henry Wallace's disastrous 1948 presidential campaign.

Betrayed by a Hollywood-hustler-turned-double-agent, Martha spent years under deep FBI surveillance escaping twice and went to ground in Cold War Prague, sad, lonely, rich and bored, living out her final decades in a Communist Sunset Boulevard.

Largely forgotten, Martha Dodd began to emerge as an iconic historical figure in the early 2000s. While her scandalous behaviour and pro-Soviet leanings were never much in dispute, the actual matter of her guilt remained unresolved. Now, using recently released KGB archived information and FBI files, author and journalist Brendan McNally sets the record straight in Traitor's Odyssey, telling the full epic tale of Martha Dodd's life for the first time, casting her in a new and bright light.

AUTHOR: Brendan McNally is a journalist who has covered defence, security and intelligence issues since the late 1980s. He cut his teeth covering the Pentagon and Capitol Hill for industry newsletters. Following the 1991 Gulf War, Brendan moved to Prague where he reported for Defense News and The Prague Post. He divides his time between Dallas and the Czech Republic.

By: Brendan McNally
Imprint: Icon Books
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm,
ISBN: 9781837732586
ISBN 10: 1837732582
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 01 February 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Address book
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Brendan McNally is a journalist who has covered defence, security and intelligence issues since the late 1980s. He cut his teeth covering the Pentagon and Capitol Hill for industry newsletters. Following the 1991 Gulf War, Brendan moved to Prague where he reported for Defense News and The Prague Post. He divides his time between Dallas and the Czech Republic.

Reviews for Traitor's Odyssey: The Untold Story of Martha Dodd and a Strange Saga of Soviet Espionage

A delicious, gossipy and thoroughly engaging romp through the remarkable life of Martha Dodd - daughter of the US Ambassador to Hitler's Germany, Nazi enthusiast, then Soviet spy - and the bewildering multiple lovers who sustained her on her eccentric journey. Brendan McNally follows her trail across the world, and tells her extraordinary story with gusto: heartily recommended. -- Tim Tate, author of Hitler's British Traitors and The Spy Who Was Left Out in the Cold