Description

Book Synopsis

''Sensationally good ... A riveting story, the real-life spooks and spies far more compelling than anything you will see on the screen ... history doesn''t come more fascinating than this'' Evening Standard

For over 100 years, the agents of MI5 have defended Britain against enemy subversion. Their work has remained shrouded in secrecy - until now.

This first-ever authorized account reveals the British Security Service as never before: its inner workings, its clandestine operations, its failures and its triumphs.

''Definitive and fascinating ... whether reporting on Hitler in the 1930s, the Double-Cross System of the second world war, Zionist terrorism, the atom spies, the Cambridge spies, the so-called Wilson plot or the 1988 shooting of the IRA bombers in Gibraltar, this book is essential reading'' Alan Judd, Spectator

''The British Secret Service has opened its archives - and even ''insiders'' may be in for a surprise ... magisterial ... extremely readable'' Oleg Gordievsky, The Times

''Compelling ... a feast'' Max Hastings, Sunday Times

''A superb account ... He has captured every important detail of the Service ... unlikely to be surpassed for another 100 years'' Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph

The Defence of the Realm

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    A Paperback / softback by Christopher Andrew

    £17.09

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    RRP £18.99 – you save £1.90 (10%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 25 Aug 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Penguin Random House Group
      Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
      Published 3 June 2010
      ISBN-13 9780141023304
      978-0141023304
      ISBN-10 0141023309
      Also in:
      History European history Politics, Philosophy & Society Espionage and secret services

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      ''Sensationally good ... A riveting story, the real-life spooks and spies far more compelling than anything you will see on the screen ... history doesn''t come more fascinating than this'' Evening Standard

      For over 100 years, the agents of MI5 have defended Britain against enemy subversion. Their work has remained shrouded in secrecy - until now.

      This first-ever authorized account reveals the British Security Service as never before: its inner workings, its clandestine operations, its failures and its triumphs.

      ''Definitive and fascinating ... whether reporting on Hitler in the 1930s, the Double-Cross System of the second world war, Zionist terrorism, the atom spies, the Cambridge spies, the so-called Wilson plot or the 1988 shooting of the IRA bombers in Gibraltar, this book is essential reading'' Alan Judd, Spectator

      ''The British Secret Service has opened its archives - and even ''insiders'' may be in for a surprise ... magisterial ... extremely readable'' Oleg Gordievsky, The Times

      ''Compelling ... a feast'' Max Hastings, Sunday Times

      ''A superb account ... He has captured every important detail of the Service ... unlikely to be surpassed for another 100 years'' Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph

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