Into the Lion's Mouth: The Story of Dusko Popov

Into the Lion's Mouth by Larry Loftis tells the incredible true story about Dusko Popov, a World War II spy, patriot, and the real-life inspiration for James Bond.

If you are interested in Ian Fleming, James Bond, WWII and D-Day, this is a must read.

Available on Amazon.com ($16.20)

Available on Amazon.co.uk (£20)

August 1941: Casino Estoril, Portugal. An affluent Serbian playboy throws down an outrageously large baccarat bet to humiliate his opponent and creates a stir in the casino. What nobody knows is the Serbian in question is actually a British double agent by the name of Dusko Popov, and the money - which he just stole from the Germans - belongs to the British.

From the sidelines, watching with intent interest, is none other than Ian Fleming, who would be inspired by the curious figure and this exact night and location to create his most famous and recognizable character: James Bond.

Attorney and author Larry Loftis examines international spy and double agent Dusko Popov’s life and work in INTO THE LION’S MOUTH: The True Story of Dusko Popov: World War II Spy, Patriot, and the Real-Life Inspiration for James Bond.

Dusko Popov had a storied past, starting with his expulsion from prep school as a young man. Years later he was arrested and banished from Germany for making derogatory statements about the Third Reich. And when World War II ensued, Popov became a spy, eventually serving three networks as a double agent: the German Abwehr, the British MI5 and MI6, and the US FBI. He also had a reputation for living an extravagant lifestyle and cavorting with lots of beautiful, women.

On August 10, 1941, the Abwehr sent Popov to the United States to construct a spy network and, specifically, to gather information on the defense installations at Pearl Harbor. What they didn’t know was that Popov was actually working as a double agent for the British. Upon arrival in New York, Popov contacted the FBI and warned them that the Germans wanted this information on behalf of Japan, and that an attack was imminent. The FBI ignored this, and then-FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, who did not trust him, succeeded in blowing his cover. While MI5 desperately needed Popov to deceive the Abwehr about the D-Day invasion, they assured him that a return to the German Secret Service Headquarters in Lisbon would result in torture and execution.

He went anyway.

INTO THE LION’S MOUTH is the account of one extraordinary man’s globe-trotting entanglement with espionage, murder, assassins, and lovers - including enemy spies and a Hollywood starlet. It is a story of subterfuge, seduction, patriotism, and courage - themes that Ian Fleming would incorporate into the tales involving his iconic hero, James Bond.

"For those wanting to know the real-life inspiration for Ian Fleming's James Bond, here it is. ... A work of non-fiction that's more thriller than biography. It's well-researched, but provides just enough historical background to prep us for Popov's dangerous exploits into espionage, politics and warfare."
USA Today

"Gripping ... This one will keep you planted in your reading chair from start to finish."
Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author

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