BUSTER CRABB: Ian Fleming's Favourite Spy

Lionel 'Buster' Crabb was a drinker, gambler, womaniser and lover of fast cars and gadgets. A unique, brave and controversial man, he worked for the Royal Navy and most of the British Intelligence Services for several decades. His exploits were often recreated by Ian Fleming with his exciting James Bond books. Many of Crabb's former colleagues have contributed to this wonderful read together with previously unseen images and personal drawings. A British naval frogman and bomb disposal expert, Crabb worked directly under Fleming during WW2 at Naval Intelligence and went on to conduct covert operations for both SIS and MI5. Elements from his dangerous missions and eccentric lifestyle were later incorporated into Fleming's novels. His inventions sparked the role of Q; Miss Moneypenny was based on Crabb's aunt Kitty Jarvis, and his underwater battle with enemy divers became a crucial scene in Thunderball. During a secret dive beneath a Russian warship in 1957, Crabb disappeared without a trace. One year later, a decapitated and handless body was found, sparking a major row between the government, the secret services and the Admiralty that still smoulders today. Investigative journalist Don Hale has helped quash convictions and miscarriages of justice cases and here packs in interesting facts and exclusive photographs. Apologies for some poor editing. 368pp, illustrated paperback.