Overview

Based on original research in the Public Records Office, this book examines the world of the secret service in the last days of the British Empire before and immediately after World War I. Beset by anti-Western and anti-imperialist movements, the Empire fought back against threats to its survival, using the SIS (Special Intelligence Service) and its cast of amateur spies. This book shows what the secret service was really up to in these years and reveals the personalities of those recruited to work as undercover agents. It explores threats to Imperial security from Islamic extremists, communists and rival Western powers. This book features psychological, as well as historical, insights and offers a novel use of archival material in the history of intelligence.

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9780750926980

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Reviews

The fictional spy adventures of James Bond and the real ones of the likes of Kim Philby and Anthony Blunt have penetrated deep into the nation's consciousness. Now Fisher, with the help of the Public Records Office, examines how the secret service really did operate in the early 20th century. Fisher describes the numerous threats facing British power - from rising Communism in Russia to Islamic extremists - and demonstrates how the service sought to counter them. Among his subjects are some fascinating characters, including Ronald Sinclair, Sir Paul Dukes and Ely Bannister Soane (alias Ghulam Hussain), whose adventures in the Balkans were clearly the stuff of John Buchan. However, this is primarily an archival study, and correspondingly dry in tone - those with a specialist interest in the subject will find it absorbing, but anyone seeking gripping tales of Imperial derring-do would be better off looking elsewhere. (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

John Fisher is an historian at the Public Record Office who specialises in the secret service. He has an unrivalled knowledge of the material and has produced a stream of articles based on his research. His book on Curzon and British Imperialism in the Middle East, 1916-19, was published in 1999 by CUP.

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