The Grand Prix Saboteurs: The Grand Prix Drivers Who Became British Secret Agents During World War II

Having read quite a lot of information about early go racing and some of the drivers especially one driver in particular a certain William Grover Williams from a trip to Monaco and trying to find out who or what the bronze statue that was caged off. After getting home my research began and led me to discover who and why,the more I read my intrigue got the better of me so many hours spent then I came across this book and was addicted. This book gives some great insight into the backgrounds of the drivers and how fearless they must have being, their sense of loyalty to England and France during ww2. It is a shame that a lot more has not being done to recognise the heroes and legends,a lot of their actions go unnoticed except of small name checks and half or more of the honours and medals not even being given out after their deaths. I hope anyone else who reads this fantastic book feels the same way and one day they all may get the recognition the deserve.

Here is Honour's Review as he is the Reader in the household:I haven't written a book review for an Amazon-bought product yet, so here goes. An interest in early motor racing is a useful precursor to reading this book but the early chapters helpfully introduce the pre-World War 2 racing drivers and world of motor racing. In fact the main text does not actually centre on motor racing although the subject is always there in the background of some of the major characters in the book. Indeed, the main text is fascinating for racing fans and non-racing fans alike, giving an account of various SOE groups and operations of the Second World War in France. In connection with the actual printing of the book itself, I must compliment the publisher for using high contrast and quite large print for a paperback, although my inherent "perfectionism" did notice a few ommissions of short words like "to" and "the", mainly in the first half of the text.There is one more proviso that I touch on in the title of this review and that is to not try and read this book quickly. The number of names in this book - aliases and real names, plus the number of different SOE groups etc., is a bit mind-boggling, but for all that, the concentration required is well worth the effort. I would say that this book gives a good idea of the extraordinary tensions within the resistance organisations being organised from Britain, and treachery is a constantly arising theme, which has a climax in the possible betrayal of Robert Benoist by the famous war heroine Violette Szabo. In addition, one is always aware of just how frightening France must have been under the German occupation during the Third Reich, and how lucky we are now to live within a relatively free Western Europe.As I think the reader of this review will appreciate, I regard this book as being quite something; well worth my five star rating.

Interesting study of largely allied nation Grand Prix drivers and their war service. Each chapter covered a driver’s racing pedigree and background and their war service. It perhaps comes as no surprise that many of those who led an adventurous life on the race track, showed similar courage during the war. Not heavy on detail, but enjoyable, an easy read for anyone interested in the history of motor racing.

Haven't yet finished this story ... but the main character is one of the most compelling real-life characters there is ... "William Grover-William", "W.Williams" or simply "Williams". Need more people like that these days!

Gifted

I am a huge fan of F1 and have recently been reading more and more about the history of racing. I have always been fascinated by the details of the Second World War and all of the heroism and development that it necessitated. This book is the intersection of these two worlds. Best of all, it is true. Obviously the work of years of research, this book tells many compelling stories that were new to me as well as provides new details to well-known episodes that have only recently become declassified.A truly unique book that everyone can appreciate, but if you are a race fan and love spy stories, get this book now.

I bought the book expecting the story of William Grover-Williams, but hoping for information on Robert Benoist, and this book did not disappoint. Whilst this is a story of both, the book is more a Benoist story, as it is he who had more involvement with the Resistance movements. Whilst I'm not particularly interested in war history, Grand Prix Saboteurs makes for an interesting read, written well enough to keep the reader hooked.

Issued in 2006 this factual book covers the same story as Robert Ryans novel 'Early one morning', it is about the career of William Grover-'Williams', the Englishman who won the first Monaco Grand Prix, his friendship with Robert Benoist a famous French racing driver of the time and their involvement in the British S.O.E. during the second world war. Meticulously researched this book covers in much more depth the activities of the S.O.E. in France, than the Robert Ryan novel, and details the fate of most of the operatives, and reveals what a' poison challis' working France was for an agent, with betrayal being the 'norm' rather than the exception. Benoist was executed in Buchenwald, Grover-Williams in Sachsenhausen, although I understand that some documents unearthed a few years ago now cast some doubt on this, if true it could bring the ending of the story more in line with the novel. read both books, see which one you prefer.

Episode méconnu de l'histoire de la Résistance

This book is a very nice read for those who like history and/or autosport. The details are astonishing and proof of a writer with pasion for the story that is told!

I'm a Bugatti freak, need I say more?

What an excellent historical perspective of some of the great Grand Prix drivers. Even folks with no interest in racing would gain an appriciation for this book. It obviously was written from the viewpoint of a European and gives their perspective of World War II as it influenced those living in London and throughout France. I thought it was very fascinating albeit the grammar and punctuation needed work. As usual, when I get near the end of a book filled with first-rate action, many historical facts, I feel sadened that it is almost over....I for one enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others!

This is a very inspirational book about people willing to do extraordinary acts of bravery for their country