British Intelligence

While other books have speculated on the history and nature of Britain’s intelligence services, this is the first to tell the story through the documents themselves. Only ten years ago access to these original sources would have been impossible, but now experts Twigge, Hampshire and Macklin draw on the spies’ and spymasters’ own words from the National Archives’ unique intelligence files – including the very latest remarkable releases from MI5. Historical narrative is interwoven with colourful tales from the past that highlight some of the greatest successes – and failures – along the way, as well as the motives and machinations of those responsible for them. And readers who want to explore sources for themselves are given all the guidance they need. As the Iraq War and its aftermath bring the intelligence profession back into the spotlight, “British Intelligence” is compelling reading for anyone interested in the shadowy world of 20th-century espionage.

Author Biography

Stephen Twigge is Official Historian at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and a former Head of Academic and Archival Services at the National Archives. He has written widely on nuclear history and international relations. Edward Hampshire is a Modern Records Specialist at the National Archives, specialising in defence and diplomatic records. He took a history degree at Magdalene College, Oxford, and holds a PhD on British naval policy from King’s College, London. Graham Macklin is an Honorary Research Fellow at Parkes Institute, University of Southampton, and the author of Neville Chamberlain (2006).