Description

Book Synopsis
The authorized history of the world's oldest and most storied foreign intelligence service, drawing extensively on hitherto secret documents

Britain's Special Intelligence Service, commonly called MI6, is not only the oldest and most storied foreign intelligence unit in the world - it is also the only one to open its archives to an outside researcher. The result, in this authorized history, is an unprecedented and revelatory look at an organization that essentially created, over the course of two world wars, the modern craft of spying. Here are the true stories that inspired Ian Fleming's James Bond's novels and John le Carré George Smiley novels. Examining innovations from invisible ink and industrial-scale cryptography to dramatic setbacks like the Nazi sting operations to bag British operatives, this groundbreaking history is as engrossing as any thriller - and much more revealing.

Perhaps the most authentic account one will ever read abou

The Secret History of MI6 19091949

    Product form

    £21.25

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £25.00 – you save £3.75 (15%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Wed 19 Aug 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Keith Jeffery

    10 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Secret History of MI6 19091949 by Keith Jeffery

      Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 27/09/2011
      ISBN13: 9780143119999, 978-0143119999
      ISBN10: 0143119990
      Also in:
      Espionage and secret services

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      The authorized history of the world's oldest and most storied foreign intelligence service, drawing extensively on hitherto secret documents

      Britain's Special Intelligence Service, commonly called MI6, is not only the oldest and most storied foreign intelligence unit in the world - it is also the only one to open its archives to an outside researcher. The result, in this authorized history, is an unprecedented and revelatory look at an organization that essentially created, over the course of two world wars, the modern craft of spying. Here are the true stories that inspired Ian Fleming's James Bond's novels and John le Carré George Smiley novels. Examining innovations from invisible ink and industrial-scale cryptography to dramatic setbacks like the Nazi sting operations to bag British operatives, this groundbreaking history is as engrossing as any thriller - and much more revealing.

      Perhaps the most authentic account one will ever read abou

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account