A Quiet Company of Dangerous Men

Well researched and riveting...The struggle of these four men against totalitarian injustice was noble, and this book memorializes it superbly. - The Wall Street Journal

A Quiet Company of Dangerous Men unveils the untold story of four special operations officers who fought together behind enemy lines across multiple theatres of World War II. Their remarkable journey did not end with the war; they continued to serve, both officially and unofficially, for decades in the most heated regions during the Cold War.

Throughout history, there have always been special warriors, like Achilles and his Myrmidons, but modern "special operations" truly took shape in World War II. One of the earliest and most exceptional units formed was Britain's Special Operations Executive (SOE). In the war's early years, when Britain stood alone against the Nazis, Winston Churchill tasked the SOE with a mission to "set Europe ablaze." Their objectives were to ignite local revolts, gather intelligence, demolish bridges, and conduct any activity that could disrupt the Axis powers.

A Quiet Company of Dangerous Men follows four SOE officers who made their mark during this mission: the Spanish Civil War veteran Peter Kemp, demolitions expert David Smiley, born guerrilla leader Billy McLean, and political natural Julian Amery.

Author Shannon Monaghan presents new and extensive research, granting unprecedented access to private family papers that reveal the men's unbreakable bonds and vibrant personalities. This narrative uncovers a story of twentieth-century warfare that has remained largely unknown due to the SOE's secretive operations. A Quiet Company of Dangerous Men is an exhilarating and inspiring tale of four extraordinary men who, driven by pure determination and daring, as well as unwavering friendship and loyalty, fought for a better world.