Review Hughes-wilson John 2017 The Secret State a History of Intelligence and Espionage

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Kickoff your review of The Clandestine State: A History of Intelligence and Espionage

Hughes-Wilson's stated aim for this volume was to provide a history of intelligence from its aboriginal origins through to the digital historic period that is attainable to the general reader. While by no ways a complete global history (no volume would be able to adjust that anyhow) of its field of study and focusing largely on the Western globe and the 20th and 21st centuries, it does offer up a multifariousness of interesting and informative material, discussing numerous incidents and events that I had at to the lowest degree a passing Hughes-Wilson'southward stated aim for this book was to provide a history of intelligence from its ancient origins through to the digital historic period that is attainable to the general reader. While past no means a complete global history (no book would be able to accommodate that anyhow) of its subject and focusing largely on the Western world and the 20th and 21st centuries, it does offering upward a diversity of interesting and informative material, discussing numerous incidents and events that I had at least a passing familiarity with every bit well every bit several I wasn't enlightened of at all. There were a number of instances in which I took issue with the author's choice of words, undertones and implied biases, but I nevertheless found this an interesting read. ...more

Were one-half stars an option, I might be tempted to bench this book to a 2.five out of 5. Though heady at times, broad in its scope, and written with wry wit, John Hughes-Wilson'southward work suffers from a lack of editing and system. Odd phrases and strange similes distract the reader from the information, while some dubious claims require one to stop and fact-check. I institute it somewhat agreeable that other reviews spoke of the Hughes-Wilson'southward "American bias" when clearly it is his fourth dimension as a British Were half stars an choice, I might be tempted to bench this book to a 2.5 out of five. Though exciting at times, broad in its scope, and written with wry wit, John Hughes-Wilson's piece of work suffers from a lack of editing and organization. Odd phrases and strange similes distract the reader from the data, while some dubious claims require one to cease and fact-bank check. I found it somewhat amusing that other reviews spoke of the Hughes-Wilson's "American bias" when clearly it is his time as a British intelligence officer that colors his assessments and opinions. In fact, he is occasionally quite critical of the American government. Overall, this book makes for a good introduction to the world of intelligence for a reader who is looking for a smorgasbord of thinly sliced tales. Anyone more than deeply interested in intelligence might want to search elsewhere. ...more

From a former officer with military intelligence; a most rewarding read: the procedural side of gathering, analysing and disseminating intelligence is explained. This reasoned, logical, most obviously credible, walk-through, flies in the face of much that nosotros read in the 'Spy Fiction' written by those who are deemed to be experts with 'first-mitt knowledge' of how the intelligence agencies operate.

And spiced throughout with accounts of success, failure and blunder.

The aim of the intelligence agen

From a sometime officeholder with military machine intelligence; a most rewarding read: the procedural side of gathering, analysing and disseminating intelligence is explained. This reasoned, logical, most evidently credible, walk-through, flies in the face of much that nosotros read in the 'Spy Fiction' written by those who are deemed to be experts with 'first-hand cognition' of how the intelligence agencies operate.

And spiced throughout with accounts of success, failure and blunder.

The aim of the intelligence agency is to provide accurate information for its customer in a timely way. Who is the customer? ……

"What precisely do you want to know, Minister?"
"Yous tell me," is the usual response.

Great stuff ….. and, even at the highest levels, 'people purchase from their friends' (from those who they adopt, like, trust); as was the case with Martin Bormann and Hitler (a fine explanation of that relationship y'all will find inside these pages).

If the minister does not know what it is he wants to know, and then an intelligence agency would exist best advised to befriend the minister and then information technology would be better placed to advise the minister of exactly what it is he does want to know so go about providing it. Of course, equally we observe within, there are times when the minister knows what information technology is they desire the intelligence to say, before the agency representative leaves the minister's part.

There is a telly series called, "Yes, Minister." I have never watched this, but accept been told on many occasions of how comical and however close to the truth information technology is.

If you do read this; exercise so with a questioning mind every bit some things are thought provoking:

- published in 2016 - up to speed with modern-24-hour interval technology (the author does refer to technological advances on a number of occasions)
- satellites can see a cracking deal ….. all the same, they cannot run into through the roof ….. for that you still need an former-fashioned spy on the ground - these are well-chosen words.

A first-class reference and much in here is upward for discussion.

...more

1. The volume is biased towards the The states, their intelligence agencies, govt, bureaucrats (not too pleasing for someone not an American/American patriot)
two. Information technology's too long and disconnected (hard to maintain a consistent interest)

It'southward an okay read for a superficial knowledge on intelligence for dummies

ane. The volume is biased towards the US, their intelligence agencies, govt, bureaucrats (non too pleasing for someone not an American/American patriot)
ii. It'due south likewise long and disconnected (hard to maintain a consistent interest)

It'southward an okay read for a superficial noesis on intelligence for dummies

...more

I browsed through this book left and right for research reasons. A great place to discover facts with dates and names. The writing makes it so interesting that each affiliate reads a bit similar a documentary curt story about a spy or a period of time in one place.

Love the volume.
The structure of idea and presentation in the book is just awesome.
Would recommend the book for people who like objective reporting of real life incidents. This book could likewise quench the thirst for juicy spy story cravers.

The writer makes no effort to hide his disdain for espionage and spies throughout, constantly using loaded opinion-worlds rather than a style that would make the volume feel more like the objective history it (cl)aims to be. Misogynistic, anti-semitic, homophobic, and borderline McCarthyist comments are common, including a completely claim he then made no attempt to back up that Clinton only escaped conviction after his impeachment due to plentiful Jew-bribes in the sentate. This is especially str The author makes no effort to hide his disdain for espionage and spies throughout, constantly using loaded opinion-worlds rather than a style that would make the book feel more than like the objective history it (cl)aims to be. Misogynistic, anti-semitic, homophobic, and borderline McCarthyist comments are common, including a completely claim he and so fabricated no attempt to support that Clinton just escaped conviction later on his impeachment due to plentiful Jew-bribes in the sentate. This is peculiarly strange given the book was published as recently as 2016. Other than that, the analyses provided for spies' motivations are very weak, and oftentimes seem like a reach based on the data. ...more

Great, piece of cake to read and entertaining book on intelligence and espionage cases more often than not from WWII to the nowadays. There are some really controversial topics here I'm glad the author covered. From Pearl Harbor intelligence 'comprehend-upwards', a coverage of a certain American president's sexual escapades, the Israeli attack on USS Freedom and the encompass-upward that followed, and the complacency and incompetence of diverse American intelligence and police enforcement agencies on Al-Qaeda'due south plans that culminated in th Great, easy to read and entertaining volume on intelligence and espionage cases more often than not from WWII to the nowadays. There are some really controversial topics here I'k glad the author covered. From Pearl Harbor intelligence 'cover-up', a coverage of a certain American president'southward sexual escapades, the Israeli attack on USS Liberty and the cover-up that followed, and the complacency and incompetence of diverse American intelligence and law enforcement agencies on Al-Qaeda'due south plans that culminated in the September 11 attacks. I gauge this is where the negative hype came from as at that place are people skeptical or just plain in denial of these claims. ...more

Sep 24, 2017 Ella rated it did not like it

That coincidental sinking feeling when you're reading an entertaining if non particularly rigorous book with a couple of weird undertones that you haven't quite pinpointed and the author of a sudden blames the entire Clinton administration on "plentiful Jewish bribes" and you're like oooooh... noooooo....

this is a guy who actually really continues to think that McCarthyism was the fashion to run a state

That coincidental sinking feeling when you're reading an entertaining if non especially rigorous book with a couple of weird undertones that y'all haven't quite pinpointed and the author suddenly blames the entire Clinton administration on "plentiful Jewish bribes" and you lot're similar oooooh... noooooo....

this is a guy who really really continues to think that McCarthyism was the mode to run a state

...more

Very engaging read.

I enjoyed the reviews of history of diverse ways Intel is gathered and the problem with failure to do it right. Fast paced. Well organized volume.

Aug 06, 2020 Steven rated information technology it was amazing

"The Hole-and-corner Land: A History of Intelligence and Espionage" authored past: Colonel John Hughes-Wilson, is very informative and an excellent resource. "The Cloak-and-dagger State: A History of Intelligence and Espionage" authored by: Colonel John Hughes-Wilson, is very informative and an first-class resource. ...more

I was originally going to give this volume 4 stars for its engaging and quick paced cataloguing of the history of intelligence, but I have practise take serious umbrage with his chapter detailing Edward Snowden. The author's embarrassing veneration for Snowden seriously damages the book'south credibility. There is abundant evidence that Snowden is a manipulative and egotistical traitor that has caused immense damage to security interests. In addition, the chapter is riddled with factual errors (especially w I was originally going to give this volume 4 stars for its engaging and quick paced cataloguing of the history of intelligence, merely I accept do take serious umbrage with his chapter detailing Edward Snowden. The author'southward embarrassing veneration for Snowden seriously damages the book's credibility. There is abundant evidence that Snowden is a manipulative and egotistical traitor that has caused immense damage to security interests. In addition, the chapter is riddled with factual errors (especially with regards to Snowden apparent "genius"). The chapter alone has made me question the validity of the author's scholarship. ...more than

Interesting Stories; Dry at Times.

Overall, I institute Hughes-Willson's overview of intelligence mishaps to exist interesting, although at times a little bit dry and one-sided.

The first half of the volume was a lot more engaging and comprehensive, I thought, trying to unpick the historical epistemology of the field, whereas the 2d was only a serial of examples of intelligence mishaps.

When I picked up this volume, I idea it would answer many of the questions I take about the part intelligence has pla

Interesting Stories; Dry at Times.

Overall, I found Hughes-Willson's overview of intelligence mishaps to be interesting, although at times a little scrap dry and one-sided.

The outset half of the book was a lot more engaging and comprehensive, I idea, trying to unpick the historical epistemology of the field, whereas the 2nd was just a serial of examples of intelligence mishaps.

When I picked up this book, I thought information technology would answer many of the questions I accept about the role intelligence has played in society throughout history and, based on the introduction, I was gearing up for a historical analysis of the 2d oldest profession. In the finish it was very compartmentalised, with chapters varying massively in length and jumping from topic to topic.

Nonetheless, the writer clearly knows what he's talking about and his passion for the subject area shines through this work. I did enjoy some of the WWII stories of intelligence blunders, about of which I knew little about.

Worth the read, but not one I'd pick up again.

...more

This review has been hidden because information technology contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Why read On Intelligence? Just to have a practiced laugh. If one finds lack of academic rigour and intellectual honesty funny, that is. The number of mistakes is mind-bravado and the quality of the analysis is extremely poor (the fall of Singapore is probably the weakest chapter). The overall methodological approach leaves whatsoever reader a bit puzzled particularly since the introduction lays out a compelling belittling structure. Boosted bonuses can be institute in the not-so-subtle antisemitic undertones ( Why read On Intelligence? Simply to accept a good laugh. If one finds lack of academic rigour and intellectual honesty funny, that is. The number of mistakes is mind-blowing and the quality of the analysis is extremely poor (the fall of Singapore is probably the weakest chapter). The overall methodological arroyo leaves whatsoever reader a bit puzzled especially since the introduction lays out a compelling analytical structure. Boosted bonuses can be institute in the not-so-subtle antisemitic undertones (after all, how can a poor, feeble-minded Dutch intelligence officer resist a Jewess trained in arts of seduction by the devious Mossad) and the misogynic remarks (Hitler'south feminine instincts who nigh made him question his strategy and move his tanks closer to Normandy). This book stated objectives are to appeal both to students of strategy and international relations and to the intelligence customs. I doubt it can achieve any of them. ...more than

A good book to starting time when you take interest in undercover World. But the tone of the author reflects the perception of western listen (as if all things important happen in western states), and there are other countless similar fascinating stories in other parts of the earth which the author fails to consider.

From whatever I've read, this book is splendid for someone who needs a guide book into spying. Absolutely brilliant. I rate it 4 stars because I oasis't read the entire book even so. But, I must say, this book is highly informative. A really practiced read. From whatever I've read, this book is excellent for someone who needs a guide book into spying. Admittedly brilliant. I rate it 4 stars because I haven't read the entire volume yet. Simply, I must say, this book is highly informative. A really good read. ...more

Simply because one collect many spy stories together it doesn't make a volume - is my overall conclusion. Wikipedia tin give information nowadays.

Just giving OK ! ( two star)

some portions exercise have proficient writing flow. Otherwise not much to crow most I am agape.

Only because one collect many spy stories together it doesn't make a volume - is my overall conclusion. Wikipedia can give information nowadays.

Just giving OK ! ( 2 star)

some portions practice have adept writing flow. Otherwise not much to crow about I am afraid.

...more

December 23, 2016 Ashley marked information technology as to-read

Currently reading this book. I will update once I finish. I received this as a gift from Goodreads Giveaways

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