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On Intelligence

The History of Espionage and the Secret World
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( 279 ratings, 41 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
On Intelligence offers a revealing insider's perspective on some of the most significant intelligence failures in modern history. Colonel John Hughes-Wilson, a seasoned military-intelligence officer, examines critical episodes such as the misleading intelligence around Hitler, the Pearl Harbor attack, the 1968 Tet Offensive, and the 1973 surprise attack on Israel. The book also covers the Falklands defence, the intelligence deceptions allowing Saddam Hussein's grip on power, the warning system failures before 9/11, and the growing politicisation of intelligence agencies.

With detailed analysis, it explores why vital intelligence is often ignored, misunderstood, or manipulated by politicians and military leaders, revealing the complex intersection of intelligence and political agendas.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers interested in military history, intelligence studies, and political analysis. It suits those keen on understanding the challenges and controversies behind major intelligence decisions and their real-world consequences.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

From one of the country's foremost experts on military history, an insider view of some of the greatest intelligence blunders of recent history.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This book is a professional military-intelligence officer's and a controversial insider's view of some of the greatest intelligence blunders of recent history. It includes serious developments in government misuse of intelligence in the recent war with Iraq.

Colonel John Hughes-Wilson analyses not just the events that conspire to cause disaster, but why crucial intelligence is so often ignored, misunderstood, or spun by politicians and seasoned generals alike.

This book analyses:

  • how Hitler's intelligence staff misled him in a bid to outfox their Nazi Party rivals;
  • the bureaucratic bungling behind Pearl Harbor;
  • how in-fighting within American intelligence ensured they were taken off guard by the Viet Cong's 1968 Tet Offensive;
  • how overconfidence, political interference, and deception facilitated Egypt and Syria's 1973 surprise attack on Israel;
  • why a handful of marines and a London taxicab were all Britain had to defend the Falklands;
  • the mistaken intelligence that allowed Saddam Hussein to remain in power until the second Iraq War of 2003;
  • the truth behind the US failure to run a terrorist warning system before the 9/11 WTC bombing;
  • and how governments are increasingly pressurising intelligence agencies to 'spin' the party-political line.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781472122070

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 18 May 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Constable

Illustration: Integrated b+w illustrations.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 34.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 360g

Pages: 528

About the Author

Colonel John Hughes-Wilson, the past President of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides, is one of Britain s leading military historians, and a well-reviewed author and commentator and on a wide range of intelligence and military historical subjects. He lectures for a number of international, governmental and academic organisations.

His books include the best-selling Military Intelligence Blunders, Blindfold and Alone and A Brief History of the Cold War. His The Puppet Masters, a history of intelligence, was short listed for the Westminster Gold Medal. His books have been translated into 6 languages, including Japanese and Turkish. He has produced over 150 articles and broadcasts worldwide on defence and related subjects, and in 2012 he was selected to be the author of the Imperial War Museum s official History of the First World War.

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