This book was an aspect of Australian history that I had little knowledge of and it was a fascinating read that I finished in one night.
Jesse Fink’s The Eagle in the Mirror is more than just a biography; it’s a meticulously researched effort to rewrite a significant chapter in the history of 20th-century espionage. The book’s subject, Charles Howard “Dick” Ellis, was a man of immense influence and a figure central to the formation of some of the world’s most powerful intelligence agencies, including the CIA and Australia’s ASIS. Yet, his legacy was tarnished by posthumous accusations of being a “triple agent” for Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, a claim popularized by sensationalist books in the 1980s. Fink’s work sets out to dismantle these accusations and rehabilitate Ellis’s reputation.
Fink’s narrative style is like a “real-life international whodunit” or a “forensic jigsaw puzzle.” Fink approaches the subject with the mindset of a cold-case detective, sifting through decades of conflicting information, declassified documents, and secondary accounts. The book’s structure allows the reader to follow this process of investigation, which makes for a compelling and tense reading experience. It takes a complex and “muddy” episode of history and attempts to bring clarity, allowing the reader to weigh the evidence for themselves.
Charles Howard “Dick” Ellis
The central theme of the book is to exonerate Ellis. The core of Fink’s argument is that Ellis was unjustly accused. The book presents a powerful case for Ellis being a hero, not a traitor. The author challenges the claims made by figures like Peter Wright in his book Spycatcher, which helped to cement the idea of Ellis as a “super mole.” Fink’s research suggests that the alleged “confession” from Ellis in 1965 may have been a fabrication or a misinterpretation, and he methodically breaks down the inconsistencies in the historical record. The book aims to provide a long-overdue and more balanced view of a man who was instrumental in the Allied intelligence effort during and after World War II.
For those with a keen interest in intelligence history, The Eagle in the Mirror is what I would consider a crucial text. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of MI6 and other intelligence services during a pivotal period. It explores the political machinations, rivalries, and internal struggles that characterized the British intelligence community. The book goes beyond the simple “traitor or hero” question to explore the broader context of Cold War paranoia and how it led to unfounded suspicions and ruined reputations. By focusing on Ellis, Fink sheds light on a figure who operated in the shadows but whose influence was felt globally.
Fink should be commended on his “old-school journalistic rigour.” Rather than taking existing narratives at face value, he seeks out primary sources and cross-references information from a multitude of these. This dedication to detail is what allows the book to challenge a long-held view of Ellis. The result is a biography that is not only gripping but also a valuable work of historical revisionism, providing a compelling argument for Ellis’s exoneration and leaving the reader with a renewed appreciation for the difficulty of knowing the truth in the secretive world of espionage.
An excellent read.