Interesting narrative about a little known spy during the second world war. Much context was provided during the first quarter of the book which was rather slow-developing, since the protagonist was in jail, but once the war began, it picked up the pace. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys little known stories of WWII. ( )

So very boring. Protagonist unimpressive and overrated. Utterly pointless book. Couldn't finish it. Not recommended. ( )

This work is very well researched, and the writing is excellent.

Where I take issue with the story is in the motivations of its protagonist, Eddie Chapman. From a pre-war life of petty crime, and complete disregard for civility, we are asked to believe that Chapman (while languishing in a hell-hole of a jail in the Channel Islands) has had a crisis of conscience, and offers himself up as fodder for British Intelligence. But to do so, he must first get himself recruited by the Nazis' intelligence arm, the Abwehr.

Considering Chapman's behaviour leading up to the fateful moment when he offers his talents (among which is an active familiarity with explosives) to German Intelligence immediately after they overrun the Channel Islands, the intelligent and discerning reader cannot help but question his motives. In fact, all the way through the book, it is evident that Chapman's sole motivation is either to get himself out of a bad situation (as in the Jersey jail cell), or to enrich himself (by going back to Germany after he has been apprehended by British Intelligence, and then Chapman patriotically offers himself up as a double agent). Of course, he brags to all and sundry that the Germans owe him a king's ransom for "blowing up" the factory producing DeHavilland's mighty Mosquito fighter-bomber.

In every incident throughout the war, Chapman shows himself to be nothing more than an opportunist. Yes, it is likely that he did aid British Intelligence in a couple of minor ways, but it seems highly likely that Eddie Chapman's main concern and motivation was nothing more than to live a life of luxury and self-importance, without regard for the consequences.

( )

ZigZag is the true story of Eddie Chapman, a double agent for the British in World War II. His early life as a career criminal, was interrupted when he was captured on the Isle of Jersey, by the invading Germans. After some time in jail, he convinced the German's he would spy on England for them. He was trained in espionage and dropped by parachute into England , where his first act was to turn himself in and offer to work for the British as a double agent against the Germans. His life is a series of twists and turns, always searching for the next adventure, always crossing the line from petty criminal to conman, from spy to counterspy. A well written and thoroughly researched book. Sometimes it is hard for us or Eddie to tell which road he has chosen to travel. ( )