A huge figure in the history of British espionage and one of the models for James Bond, Sidney Reilly was born in Russia in 1873. To his employers, the British Secret Service, his background was a mystery yet his immense charisma took him into the epicentre of British establishment. Reilly lived for danger, he spoke seven languages and was rumoured to possess eleven passports and a wife to go with each. Among his exploits in the early twentieth century were the infiltration of the German General Staff in 1917 and the near overthrow of the Bolsheviks in 1918. His reputation with women was a legendary as his genius for espionage. Reilly: Ace of Spies was adapted into a BAFTA-winning television series in 1983, starring Sam Neill as Reilly and Ian Charleson as RH Bruce Lockhart. Originally published in 1967, this edition has a foreword by Dugald Bruce Lockhart, the author's great-nephew. Dugald is a successful actor and author of The Lizard, published to acclaim in 2020.
BAFTA winning & Golden Globe nominated classic TV series starring Sam Neil available to stream. Blog tour, Daily Mail review, Times 2, interview, BBC R4 Loose Ends, GQ featureAbout the AuthorRobin Bruce Lockhart - whose father RH Bruce Lockhart was also a master spy and had worked with Reilly during the Russian revolution - recounts Reilly's astonishing life. Written in a vivid, engaging style, this is surely one of the most thrilling life stories in history.
Reviews'An absorbing and suspenseful mystery story'. Publishers Weekly. 'So bizarre as to seem incredible' Daily Telegraph. 'The astonishing story of Sidney Reilly, perhaps the most flamboyant and mysterious British spy of all times' Sunday Telegraph
Book InformationISBN 9781739966089
Author Robin Bruce-Lockhart Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Muswell PressPublisher Muswell Press