The Defence of the Realm – Christopher Andrew

“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 StandardFor 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