Inside British Intelligence

"Rollicking, readable new history of Britain's famous spy organization." —Los Angeles Times

A complete and up-to-date account of the two oldest and still the most powerful, secretive intelligence services in the world: MI5, the security service, and MI6, the secret intelligence service, which have been in existence for over a century. This is a story of spectacular triumphs, treachery, their frigid relationship, their untold work with the CIA, Mossad and the spy services of Europe, and their part in the fight against terror. It is also the story of two agencies led by men who are enigmatic, eccentric and controversial and who ruthlessly control their spies. From the unique partnership between Mossad and MI6, how MI5 and MI6 became a breeding ground for Soviet spies post-war, their exploitation of the collapse of the Soviet Union and their role in biological warfare, and including how both services monitor the spies of every nation based in London, it reads like fiction. But it's not.


Based on prodigious research and interviews with significant players Inside British Intelligence is packed with new and startling information.


"An irresistible picture of an age of global terrorism, drug trafficking and economic warfare." —Sunday Telegraph

" . . . a fascinating cast of moles and double agents, whistle-blowers and politicians. For the ambience of the closed world that inspired James Bond and George Smiley, this book is a winner." —Publishers Weekly

"A well-written page-turner." —Kirkus Reviews

"Thomas brings to the agencies histories a high level of expertise, a fluent style, accessible to lay reader and expert alike." —Booklist