Roley Thomas

Writer & Historian of WWII & espionage | Debut history being published by W&N in February 2027 | Director at Thomas Murray | Ward Chair @KCFConservative

[Roley Thomas @roleygt]

I recently wrote my first Substack about Operation Pastorius - Germany’s 1942 attempt to land saboteurs on the US east coast to attack Jewish shops, the Hell Gate Bridge and Penn Station. The plan was vicious, eccentric and totally doomed - have a read here! https://t.co/MINK6NztwY

[Roley Thomas @roleygt]

Thank you for reading! If you've enjoyed this, you can follow me for more stories of spies, lies and 20th century history.

I am a writer and historian. My first book, a biography of the spy, scientist and banker Victor Rothschild, will be published by W&N in February 2027.

Please do follow me here https://t.co/G9WgiURN8U or visit my website to sign up for occasional stories and book updates https://t.co/LPMyBFYktW

[Roley Thomas @roleygt]

"This is a most ghastly place, sand drives in your eyes and there is a smell of oil everywhere."

In 1960 Ian Fleming travelled to the Persian Gulf - and wrote a book so controversial that it was suppressed by its sponsors.

This is the story of State of Excitement... (1/9)
🧵

[Roley Thomas @roleygt]

The book was never published.

The Kuwait Oil Company retained the copyright, and only two copies exist today: one in Kuwait, and the other in the University of Indiana. Only a few passages have ever been released.

Ian Fleming never looked back. His books had always sold well, but in March 1961 an article in Life magazine listed From Russia, with Love as one of President John F. Kennedy's favourite books. Sales increased dramatically, helped by the release of the first official Bond film Dr. No in 1962, and Fleming secured his place as one of the most popular thriller writers of all time. 9/9

[Roley Thomas @roleygt]

Very excited to share that my first book, The Spy and the Saboteur, The Untold Story of Victor Rothschild, has been picked up by W&N (Orion) and will be published in a couple of years!

https://t.co/Glk1pxAZSL

[Roley Thomas @roleygt]

Fantastic to be in Oman last week visiting clients and partners, presenting at the Network Forum Middle East, and exploring the extraordinarily beautiful country!

[England Cricket @englandcricket]

The most runs EVER in a five day Test.

And this lot still took 20 wickets.

We don't do draws.

🇵🇰 #PAKvENG 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[Roley Thomas @roleygt]

@cricketkit @jimmycricketer The bowler here. Luckily you only threw your weight at me and your bat at the stumps! Glad the camera doesn’t catch me missing the wicket from 2ft though…