Beverly Hills Spy: The Double-Agent War Hero Who Helped Japan Attack Pearl Harbor

In the years leading up to World War II, Frederick Rutland, a World War I hero and Hollywood A-list insider, was a double agent for the Japanese Empire. He sold secrets about fleet and aircraft design to the Japanese Imperial Navy, while collecting a salary ten times larger than the best-paid Japanese admirals. Based on recently declassified FBI files and untranslated documents from Japanese intelligence, Beverly Hills Spy reveals Rutland's life of espionage on behalf of the Axis, selling secrets that would be instrumental in its ability to attack Pearl Harbor.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

A captivating tale of espionage and double-dealing in the years leading up to World War II, "Beverly Hills Spy" takes readers on a thrilling journey into the world of intrigue and deception. Set against the backdrop of Golden Age Hollywood, the book delves into the untold story of Frederick Rutland, a World War I hero who rose from humble beginnings to become a fixture of high society. However, Rutland's success was not without its secrets, as he secretly acted as a double agent for the Japanese Empire, selling vital secrets about fleet and aircraft design to the Japanese Imperial Navy.

Born into a working-class family in England, Rutland had a humble upbringing but showed an exceptional talent for aviation. He joined the British military and became a World War I pilot, earning numerous accolades for his bravery and skill in the air. After the war, Rutland leveraged his military experience to become a successful businessman, overseeing a small empire from his mansion on the fabled Bird Streets of Beverly Hills.

Despite his apparent success, Rutland was snubbed for promotion in the Royal Air Force due to jealousy and class politics. Undeterred, he continued to spin gold from straw, living an enviably lavish lifestyle that included butlers, wild parties, private clubs, and a newsworthy life. However, all of this was funded by the Japanese Empire, which saw Rutland as a valuable asset in its quest to attack Pearl Harbor.

"Beverly Hills Spy" reveals the story of Rutland's life of espionage on behalf of the Axis, selling secrets about fleet and aircraft design to the Japanese Imperial Navy that would be instrumental in its ability to attack Pearl Harbor. Rutland's salary was ten times larger than the best-paid Japanese admirals, and he lived in a world of luxury and glamour, rubbing elbows with celebrities like Amelia Earhart and hosting galas and fundraisers with superstars like C.S. Lewis.

Despite his seemingly glamorous life, Rutland was constantly under surveillance by the FBI and other intelligence agencies. He had to be careful not to draw too much attention to himself, and he often hid in plain sight, rubbing elbows with his fellow elites and maintaining a low profile. However, his double-dealing eventually caught up with him, and he was arrested and charged with espionage.

"Beverly Hills Spy" is a meticulously researched and compelling narrative that brings the scope of Rutland's story into full focus for the first time. Based on recently declassified FBI files and until-now untranslated documents from Japanese intelligence, author Ronald Drabkin has crafted a tale that is both thrilling and chilling. Rutland's life of espionage is a rags-to-riches coup for the ages, and his story serves as a reminder of the complex and often morally ambiguous world of espionage during the years leading up to World War II.

In conclusion, "Beverly Hills Spy" is a must-read for anyone interested in history, espionage, and the fascinating intersection of glamour and danger. Frederick Rutland's story is a testament to the human capacity for both greatness and deceit, and his life of espionage on behalf of the Japanese Empire is a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who risked everything to protect their nations.

Weight: 476g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780063310070