An overview of American intelligence activities discusses the philosophy and purpose of covert operations and the successes and failures of current U.S. agencies

Explores the future role of America's intelligence agencies in the aftermath of the Cold War, including such issues as when aggressive clandestine operations are justified, whether the U.S. should engage in economic espionage, and intelligence accountability. UP.

“A comprehensive exploration of spying in its myriad forms from the Bible to the present day . . . Easy to dip into, and surprisingly funny.” —Ben Macintyre in The New York Times Book Review The history of espionage is far older than any of today’s intelligence agencies, yet largely forgotten. The codebreakers at Bletchley Park, the most successful WWII intelligence agency, were completely unaware that their predecessors had broken the codes of Napoleon during the Napoleonic wars and those of Spain before the Spanish Armada. Those who do not understand past mistakes are likely to repeat them. Intelligence is a prime example. At the outbreak of WWI, the grasp of intelligence shown by US President Woodrow Wilson and British Prime Minister Herbert Asquith was not in the same class as that of George Washington during the Revolutionary War and eighteenth-century British statesmen. In the first global history of espionage ever written, distinguished historian and New York Times–bestselling author Christopher Andrew recovers much of the lost intelligence history of the past three millennia—and shows us its continuing relevance. “Accurate, comprehensive, digestible and startling . . . a stellar achievement.” —Edward Lucas, The Times “For anyone with a taste for wide-ranging and shrewdly gossipy history—or, for that matter, for anyone with a taste for spy stories—Andrew’s is one of the most entertaining books of the past few years.” —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker “Remarkable for its scope and delightful for its unpredictable comparisons . . . there are important lessons for spymasters everywhere in this breathtaking and brilliant book.” —Richard J. Aldrich, Times Literary Supplement “Fans of Fleming and Furst will delight in this skillfully related true-fact side of the story.” —Kirkus Reviews “A crowning triumph of one of the most adventurous scholars of the security world.” —Financial Times Includes illustrations

"Examines spy agencies in the United States and around the world, including the founding of these agencies, how they work, who works for them, and looks at specific agencies, such as the CIA, MI5, KGB, and BND"--Provided by publisher.

The idea of espionage might immediately bring to mind images of danger, state secrets, and cutting-edge technologies. While these can be elements of intelligence operations, they do not provide a complete picture. There are numerous methods intelligence agencies, such as the CIA, might employ to gather information, and any number of threats that might be examined given the political climate of the day. This compelling volume examines the models intelligence agencies around the world have used both in the past and present, notable individuals, and the intelligence priorities of the Middle East and East Asia, two of the most politically volatile regions in recent history.

Reveals the formidable organization of intelligence outsourcing that has developed between the U.S. government and private companies since 9/11, in a report that reveals how approximately seventy percent of the nation's funding for top-secret tasks is now being funneled to higher-cost third-party contractors. 35,000 first printing.

This fascinating exploration of secret service and intelligence agencies throughout the world details the new roles they have found for themselves as they target rogue states, terrorism, and the drug war. It shows how ultramodern technologies have increased their power to spy abroad and eavesdrop at home. It also exposes the unsolved contradiction between the world of these secretive, unaccountable agencies and the requirements of a free, democratic society.