Secret Intelligence

by Christopher Andrew (Editor), Richard J. Aldrich (Editor), Wesley K. Wark (Editor)

This Reader in the field of intelligence studies focuses on policy, blending classic works on concepts and approaches with more recent essays dealing with current issues and the ongoing debate about the future of intelligence. The subject of secret intelligence has never enjoyed a higher profile. The terrorist attacks of 9/11, Madrid and London, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the missing WMD, public debates over prisoner interrogation, and new domestic security regulations have all contributed to make this a ‘hot’ subject over the past decade. Aiming to be more comprehensive than existing books, and to achieve truly international coverage of the field, this book provides key readings and supporting material for students and course convenors. It is divided into four main sections, each of which includes full summaries of each article, further reading suggestions, and student Comprising essays by leading scholars in the field, Secret Intelligence will be essential reading both for students and for anyone wishing to understand the current relationship between intelligence and policy-making.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics

576 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Christopher Maurice Andrew, FRHistS is an Emeritus Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at the University of Cambridge with an interest in international relations and in particular the history of intelligence services. (military.wikia.org)

Reviews

[ValeriZentsov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, really very expensive for what it is.

The book builds up excellently from the beginning, for sure, and so gives the layman a very well structured introduction building from first principles. The book is also obviously written by some of the most authoritative guys in the subject. The remainder of the book becomes very dense though, dealing in slightly disjointed areas of intellegience (or not expressing the connections well enough for me to grasp them), using case studies from quite a long time ago now.

I'm not a subject matter expert so I couldn't recommend a better text, but I'm sure one can buy a basic introduction, and an up to date book of case studies, for less than the cost of this one book.

[Khaled · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some decent essays related to the field of intelligence, but is largely inaccessible for general reading, and perhaps even specialists in the field. Other titles cover similar case studies and topics in a easier to read format.

This is more suited to towards the advance reader of intelligence who has an interest to further develop his/her understandings. Indeed there are some valuable insights here, they just may be less than obvious to the casual reader.

[Yana Shevkirova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-have. Very good and useful examination of various practices and issues surrounding the intelligence work. I reckon, the contributors' names say enough about this book.