Historical Dictionary of International Intelligence

by Nigel West

Overview

Intelligence is now acknowledged as the hidden dimension to international diplomacy and national security. It is the hidden piece of the jigsaw puzzle of global relations that cements relationships, undermines alliances and topples tyrants, and after many decades of being deliberately overlooked or avoided, it is now regarded as a subject of legitimate study by academics and historians.

This second edition of Historical Dictionary of International Intelligence covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 500 cross-referenced entries on espionage techniques, categories of agents, crucial operations spies, defectors, moles, double and triple agents, and the tradecraft they apply. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the international intelligence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442249561
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/21/2015
Series:	Historical Dictionaries of Intelligence and Counterintelligence
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	488
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.60(d)

About the Author

Nigel West is the European Editor of the International Journal of Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence and teaches the history of postwar intelligence at the Centre for Counterintelligence and Security Studies. He is the author of many books, including the Historical Dictionary of British Intelligence (Scarecrow, 2005), Historical Dictionary of International Intelligence (Scarecrow, 2006), Historical Dictionary of Cold War Counterintelligence (Scarecrow, 2007), and Historical Dictionary of Sexspionage (Scarecrow, 2009). In October 2003 he was awarded the U.S. Association of Former Intelligence Officers' first Lifetime Literature Achievement Award. In 2012 he was appointed a judge of the St Ermin’s Intelligence Book of the Year award.

Table of Contents

Editor’s Foreword (Jon Woronoff)
Preface
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Chronology
Introduction
THE DICTIONARY
Bibliography
About The Author

Editorial Reviews

The field of international intelligence is always changing, and many major events have occurred since this work first appeared in 2006. The second edition offers information and analysis of international intelligence up through 2014, according to its chronology, which starts in 1908 with the founding of the US Bureau of Investigation, the predecessor to the modern FBI. Military historian West, author of numerous works on intelligence and espionage (many issued under the publisher's Scarecrow imprint), provides a list of acronyms and abbreviations, a chronology of events, an introduction, the dictionary proper with A–Z entries, and an index. Of particular interest is the coverage of Edward Snowden, which provides a well-written summary of the man and the covert operations of the National Security Agency he revealed to the world. One bolded cross-reference points to an especially informative entry on ‘Government Communications Headquarters,’ the British cryptography group; see and see also references are plentiful throughout. Of greatest value to those researching espionage and intelligence are the extensive topically organized bibliography and official government and organizations websites. With the events of the past decade, this worthwhile updated volume is a necessary purchase for all libraries supporting intelligence collections. Summing Up: Recommended. All libraries/levels.

Choice Reviews

The field of international intelligence is always changing, and many major events have occurred since this work first appeared in 2006. The second edition offers information and analysis of international intelligence up through 2014, according to its chronology, which starts in 1908 with the founding of the US Bureau of Investigation, the predecessor to the modern FBI.  Military historian West, author of numerous works on intelligence and espionage (many issued under the publisher's Scarecrow imprint), provides a list of acronyms and abbreviations, a chronology of events, an introduction, the dictionary proper with A–Z entries, and an index.  Of particular interest is the coverage of Edward Snowden, which provides a well-written summary of the man and the covert operations of the National Security Agency he revealed to the world.  One bolded cross-reference points to an especially informative entry on ‘Government Communications Headquarters,’ the British cryptography group; see and see also references are plentiful throughout.  Of greatest value to those researching espionage and intelligence are the extensive topically organized bibliography and official government and organizations websites.  With the events of the past decade, this worthwhile updated volume is a necessary purchase for all libraries supporting intelligence collections. Summing Up: Recommended. All libraries/levels.

Choice

The field of international intelligence is always changing, and many major events have occurred since this work first appeared in 2006. The second edition offers information and analysis of international intelligence up through 2014, according to its chronology, which starts in 1908 with the founding of the US Bureau of Investigation, the predecessor to the modern FBI.  Military historian West, author of numerous works on intelligence and espionage (many issued under the publisher's Scarecrow imprint), provides a list of acronyms and abbreviations, a chronology of events, an introduction, the dictionary proper with A–Z entries, and an index.  Of particular interest is the coverage of Edward Snowden, which provides a well-written summary of the man and the covert operations of the National Security Agency he revealed to the world.  One bolded cross-reference points to an especially informative entry on ‘Government Communications Headquarters,’ the British cryptography group; see and see also references are plentiful throughout.  Of greatest value to those researching espionage and intelligence are the extensive topically organized bibliography and official government and organizations websites.  With the events of the past decade, this worthwhile updated volume is a necessary purchase for all libraries supporting intelligence collections. Summing Up: Recommended. All libraries/levels.

CHOICE

...useful addition...

Studies In Intelligence

This fourth volume in the series (and the author's second contribution) offers cross-referenced dictionary entries on international intelligence agencies and agents, operations and equipment, tradecraft and jargon, and countries. It includes a list of acronyms and a chronology. West is a military historian specializing in intelligence and security issues.

Reference and Research Book News

...Scarecrow are fortunate in having such a renowned and generally respected writer to provide the lead title of their new series. This book will be a useful purchase for any general library...

Reference Reviews

This historical dictionary is as well-researched and literate an account of the world's secret services as we are likely to get.

Journal of Slavic Military Studies, Vol. 20, 2007 - Robert Pringle

...an excellent resource...

vol. 38 (2007) American Reference Books Annual

...a useful work....recommended for public libraries and academic libraries where military history, security, and intelligence are of interest.

12/15/2006 Booklist

...Scarecrow are fortunate in having such a renowned and generally respected writer to provide the lead title of their new series. This book will be a useful purchase for any general library...

s

This fourth volume in the series (and the author's second contribution) offers cross-referenced dictionary entries on international intelligence agencies and agents, operations and equipment, tradecraft and jargon, and countries. It includes a list of acronyms and a chronology. West is a military historian specializing in intelligence and security issues.

November 2006 Reference and Research Book News

...Scarecrow are fortunate in having such a renowned and generally respected writer to provide the lead title of their new series. This book will be a useful purchase for any general library...

"American Reference Books Annual"