Calder WaltonBesprekingen

The book lacks balance and perspective on the Cold War. There is an open disdain for the Soviets (and rightly so) but kid gloves for the horrors and perversions of the west. I found the editorial commentary biased. For example, he obviously doesn't like the Kennedy's, and refers to Watergate as Nixon's first time dabbling in criminal behavior which is blatantly false. I recommend reading some Rick Perlstein.

Some might find the content interesting but it reads like a love letter to Western intelligence agencies when the title and the credentials of the author would lead one to believe it would be a more academic and balanced work.½

An absolutely incredible telling of the history of the intelligence "wars" between Russia and the United States. Starting over a hundred years ago, and continuing still today, the author recounts the who, what, when, and why of the conflict. Very well written, easily readable, intriguing, and at times exciting. If you read this, you will understand why we are at today in our relations with Russia.

A book on a little known topic, British intelligence and it's role in the last two decades of the British Empire. The first chapters on the pre-war and WWII era were quite revealing and helped to set the scene for the post war crises within the Empire. I thought that this book achieved two things, firstly it highlighted the role that British intelligence made to the independent countries of the Commonwealth. Secondly it demonstrated the lack of learning that each of the post war conflicts brought. Palestine, Malaya, Kenya, Cyprus and Aden all saw the same broad problems and the same relearning of lessons that should have already have been learnt. While the book doesn't cover Northern Ireland at all, it is clear that those problems continued there. An excellent book that brings to the forefront the role of British Intelligence within the Empire and Commonwealth up until the mid 1960's.

Ultimately disappointing for me as the author's style made interesting material become tedious. He writes with little sympathy for the circumstances that existed at the time and makes judgements on historical events that seem to stem from modern prejudices.

Perfidious Albion! Calder Walton is a professional historian now working as a barrister. This excellent book - complete with footnotes; bibliography and comprehensive index - looks at the history of various intelligence services (MI5, MI6, Special Branch to name but three) . When one considers the breadth of the British Empire and the collapse of that empire post WWII it is most revealing to see the hand the British had in establishing secret services throughout Africa, the Sub-continent, the Caribbean, Cyprus, the Middle East. It comes as no surprise that the various secret services share information. Walton has accessed a great deal of material which has only become available since the opening of archives by the Russians. The writing style is a little ponderous and at times Walton gives the impression of being of the establishment but that might be my prejudices coming through. Above all else it is a "good read" and worthy of the four star rating..

Author tells us, repeatedly, that this is the first book to use recently revealed archival records to show the role played by British secret services in the end of the British empire, post 1945. Very well documented through patient work with archives, and an important topic.

Reviewed in the FT Exit strategists: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/c270de0c-6ed0-11e2-9ded-00144feab49a.html