King of Spies: The Dark Reign of America's Spymaster in Korea

Blaine Harden's King of Spies is a biography of Donald Nichols, a one-man war who won the Distinguished Service Cross and a chest full of medals for valor and initiative in the Korean War. However, there is far more to his story than first meets the eye, as he created his own black-ops empire, commanded a small army of spies, deployed his own makeshift navy, and ruled over it as a clandestine king, with absolute power over life and death. He was eventually sacked and forced to endure months of electroshock in a military hospital in Florida.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2019
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

In his captivating book, "King of Spies," renowned journalist and bestselling author Blaine Harden delves into one of the most astonishing and previously untold spy stories of the 20th century. The story revolves around Donald Nichols, a man described by his US Air Force commanding general as a one-man war. Nichols earned the Distinguished Service Cross and a plethora of medals for his valor and initiative during the Korean War. His commanders hailed him as the bravest, most resourceful, and effective spymaster of that forgotten conflict. However, there is a deeper layer to Nichols' remarkable tale that extends beyond the surface.

Based on extensive research, including long-classified government records, unsealed court records, and interviews conducted in Korea and the United States, "King of Spies" unveils the captivating story of the reign of an intelligence commander who strayed far from morality, legality, and even sanity, according to military psychiatrists' assessments. Donald Nichols, a seventh-grade dropout, emerged as a self-made black-ops empire, commanding a small army of hand-selected spies, operating his own makeshift navy, and ruling over it as a clandestine king, wielding absolute power over life and death. He even claimed a legal license to murder, and the book includes previously unpublished photographs that document the gruesome reality of his world.

After eleven years of ruling his kingdom of espionage, the United States military finally decided to bring an end to Nichols' reign. He was secretly sacked and subjected to months of electroshock therapy in a military hospital in Florida. Nichols believed that the American government was attempting to erase his memory, as he recounted to his relatives.

"King of Spies" seeks to unravel the enigma of how an uneducated, untrained, and inexperienced man could ascend to the position of the number-one US spymaster in South Korea, and why his US commanders allowed him to operate with such impunity for so long. The book delves into the complex web of politics, power struggles, and personal vendettas that played a role in Nichols' rise and fall. It sheds light on the murky world of espionage, where loyalty, betrayal, and the pursuit of national security intertwine, often leading to unforeseen consequences.

Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, "King of Spies" offers a fresh perspective on a forgotten chapter of history. It provides a captivating glimpse into the life and times of Donald Nichols, a man who defied expectations and left an indelible mark on the world of espionage. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, intelligence, and the human psyche, as it explores the darker side of human nature and the lengths people will go to achieve their goals.

Weight: 222g
Dimension: 194 x 126 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509815791