Thatcher's Spy

My Life as an MI5 Agent Inside Sinn Féin

By: Willie Carlin

Narrated by: Matthew Forsythe

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

In Thatcher's Spy, the Cold War meets Northern Ireland's Dirty War in the remarkable real-life story of a deep under-cover British intelligence agent, a man now doomed forever to look over his shoulder.

In March 1985, as he climbed the six steps of Margaret Thatcher's prime-ministerial jet on the runway of RAF Aldergrove, little did Willie Carlin know the role Freddie Scappaticci played in saving his life.

So began the dramatic extraction of Margaret Thatcher's key undercover agent in Sinn Féin. For 11 years, Willie Carlin worked alongside IRA commander Martin McGuinness in the republican movement's political wing in Derry.

He was MI5's man at McGuinness' side and gave the British State unprecedented insight into the IRA leader's strategic thinking. When Carlin's cover was blown in 1985, Thatcher authorised the use of her jet to whisk him to safety. Incredibly, it was another British spy inside the IRA's secretive counter-intelligence unit, the 'nuttin' squad', who saved Carlin's life. This is his story.

©2019 Willie Carlin (P)2019 W. F. Howes

interesting

This is an interesting story and I wish to learn more. The narrator did a great job.

Fascinating insight into a Spy's motivations

Willie Carlin has lead a fascinating and no doubt historic and meaningful life, especially in regard to his influence on Northern Irish politics. Taken at face value, his stated motivation to subvert the violence of the Troubles was a noble struggle, but while he may have affected the overall situation for the better it also clearly has come at enormous personal cost. Willie's is a tale that rewards patience in allowing it to unfurl and is thoughtful and introspective in its dissection of the political and military aims of the combatants. His is a story that necessarily makes one at least consider, if not reconsider, their own presumptions & notions about the era. There are points where one wishes they could question Willie a bit farther here and there, on various points and viewpoints, just to understand that much better. The narration is decently done and delivered in authentic Northern Irish brogue; I thought until the end it had been Willie himself reading aloud and that's a credit to the audiobook, I think. You can't help but feel uncertain that Willie may not deserve some of the misfortune befallen him for his betrayal of comrades, though he swears it was for a higher moral purpose. But then you getvthe impression at times that Willie knows that, too. His is a story that should be acknowledged and considered by any students of the Troubles and an exceptional digression into the lifestyle and varied motivations of Intelligence operatives.

Interesting and informative

Very good retelling in a first hand account. A little slow to start but builds with context to excitement and deeper revelations.

A Dark Story

This is the second book I've read about the IRA and it will probably be the last. There's something dark and extremely disturbing about the IRA and how they operated. I can't recall a topic that left me as depressed as this.

Willie Carlin is interesting, but certainly has divided loyalties. I would have liked to have had more insight into what was motivating him, but I was also left with the impression that he didn't fully understand what it was.

The book offers an interesting perspective on the IRA and the Troubles, though it's obviously only a small piece of a much larger story. Another excellent book on the topic is "Tell No One."

Good perspective and a counterweight to the massive amounts of propaganda and naive nonsense published on the conflict in NI.

A much more realistic perspective on the troubles, however all biographies (especially it seems those related to NI) are self-aggrandizing. I suspect this has at least some of that going on.

This is one of my top five non-fiction spy stories, and my number one IRA-Britain Spy Story.

One reader said this book was “too dark” and so he won’t read anymore on this subject. I’ve read them all, and rather than “dark” it’s TRUE. Many people see the Truth as dark, but the Truth is also Light. With the Light of Truth, we see the dark details AND the redemption, courage, bravery and so many virtues that are born out of that “darkness.” People are afraid of the Truth, because it hurts and dis-illusions them. Too bad, grow up, the world is dark and needs men of virtue to lead us out of that darkness. Too many American men are emasculated by material and power, but are secret cowards. 10% of Americans read one nonfiction book each year. I’ve read 800 over 10 years on audible. The works is dark because men are dark. This book inspired me because there was darkness on each side, and he refused to stand on either side, instead he stood on the narrow way, the razors edge, which takes other worldly commitment. Well done Mr. Carlin, with the book and your life. You’ve suffered surely, but you made the world a better place for others. Cheers! Scott Kennedy