Razor's Edge: The Unofficial History of the Falklands War

by Hugh Bicheno

The controversial memoir of a top British spy which finally reveals what really went on behind the scenes of the Falklands War

For five years before the Falklands War, Hugh Bicheno was one of the top British spies in Argentina. As such, he gathered hard, corroborated intelligence on Argentine intentions over the Falklands - which the British establishment then chose to ignore. The reasons behind this British decision, and its disastrous and inevitable consequences in the South Atlantic, are the main story of this book.

There were three main players in the war, each of them trying to overcome their own cultural baggage. The Argentines were riddled with guilt: after years of fighting a morally repugnant campaign against its own people, the Argentine military saw a war for the Malvinas islands as a perfect opportunity to win back their self-respect. The hands of the Americans were also bloody from the likewise dirty wars they had sponsored and abetted in Central America. For Britain it was simply the last straw after decades of humiliation.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Hugh Bicheno graduated from Cambridge and later joined the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). He is now a political risk analyst and an historian of conflict.

Reviews

[Fred Dameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bicheno has written a scathing indictment of both the British Foreign Office, Parliament, and the MOD. He pulls no punches in discrediting all three organizations in there dealings with the Argentines and how those dealings led to the invasion of the Falklands. This history takes up most of the first three chapters. Then the organization becomes some what choppy. The next chapter is called Preliminaries, but it covers mostly the air war and covers the air war until the end of the conflict in mid June. Then the actual invasion and the hump across East Falkland to Stanley. This is a great work that shows how the politicos fouled up the operation on both sides and how close for England this operation was. Many histories of the Falklands war make the fight sound like the Brits just dusted off the copy of "Defence of Her Majesties Possessions: Falkland Islands." The whole operation was much more adhoc and dam near a failure. Lucky for the islanders British professionalism from all ranks was far superior to the Argentines. A great example of this comes from a quote from a Argentine prisoner about being fed: 'When the British fed us they made sure that each man got the same share, but the few times they let us feed ourselves fights broke out and some did not get to eat." Pros vs those who use the services to gain position and perks Those chapters covering the professionalism of the Brits and the almost suicidal heroism of the Argentines are the best part of the read.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A military history book of a fairly recent campaign and to be honest one that makes you draw your breath at times as the writer pulls no punches and doesn't seem to think impartiality is necessary for a time such as this.
As such at times politically I found I veered from some of the assessments of figures within but a decent case is made for the war within this book, ultimately it seems a inherited policy of appeasement and fascism led to the rise of tensions which created conditions for conflict
There's little doubt too the writer knows his stuff and has researched it so any body blows you may take in regard the frank political assessments ..well ultimately they hold up.
A decent book on a era of history that although I recall didn't really before this seem to be a subject I wanted explore more.
As with such books unless you have a personal interest in the conflict the facts and figures can time seem a bit dry...but the more statistically minded will find much in these pages.

[Martin Dismore · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing and very comprehensive book on the Falklands War. The detail of the military movements and dispositions of both sides in the conflict are without parallel. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It contained much previously unpublished material and I am very surprised that it wasn't and isn't a best seller on the subject.

[Kakanier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich hätte Bicheno ja Bias vorwerfen können, aber seine Vorurteile gegen ARgentinien wurden von anderen Quellen bestätigt. Interessante Darstellung.

[Dirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read...good mix of the political and the tactical...doesn't pull any punches.

[Rob Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

One man's opinions and ideological drivel. Disappointing.

[Steve Switzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting account of the Falklands war and just how close the uk came to a disastrous defeat