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  1. Home
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  3. Intelligence Power in Peace and War
  • Cited by 179
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
October 2009
Print publication year:
1996
Online ISBN:
9780511521737
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511521737
Subjects:
Politics and International Relations, International Relations and International Organisations
Information

Book description

Intelligence services form an important but controversial part of the modern state. Drawing mainly on British and American examples, this book provides an analytic framework for understanding the 'intelligence community' and assessing its value. The author, a former senior British intelligence officer, describes intelligence activities, the purposes which the system serves, and the causes and effects of its secrecy. He considers 'intelligence failure' and how organisation and management can improve the chances of success. Using parallels with the information society and the current search for efficiency in public administration as a whole, the book explores the issues involved in deciding how much intelligence is needed and discusses the kinds of management necessary. In his conclusions Michael Herman discusses intelligence's national value in the post-Cold War world. He also argues that it has important contributions to make to international security, but that its threat-inducing activities should be kept in check.

Reviews

‘Michael Herman has produced a very thought provoking and important book for understanding how an intelligence community works, when it fails and how it might work better … It is set to be a standard for those who wish to understand the value of intelligence in the functioning of the modern state.’

Dr Paul Latawski Source: RUSI

‘Written by a professional who is also an academic, this book lays the foundations for a theory of ‘intelligence power’ - the generic capability that is a ‘multiplier’ the key to successful planning and action, and an instrument of policy in its own right. Herman dissects and analyses the autonomy of intelligence organisations and develops principles for ensuring the quality of the product and the efficiency of the processes. The book ranges from theory to practice and its comprehensive scope will appeal to layman and professional alike.’

Professor Michael MccGwire - OBE

‘Intelligence Power in Peace and War is based on an attractive combination of personal experience, wide reading and scholarly reflection. It is clearly and persuasively written.’

Professor Christopher Andrew - University of Cambridge and author of For the President’s Eyes Only: Security, Intelligence and the American Presidency from Washington to Bush Christopher Andrew regularly appears on Radio 4.

‘… is one of those books that invite the adjectives such as ‘authoritative’ and ‘magisterial’. The organization is methodical, the analysis meticulous, the range of sources extraordinary and the writing crisp and lucid.’

Lawrence Freedman Source: Intelligence and National Security

‘This is the best overview of the nature and role of Intelligence that I have read. It is surely destined to become a standard work …’

Professor Christopher Andrew - University of Cambridge

‘The whole book derives from wide and obviously scrupulous research, very considerable personal experience and, quite clearly, deep reflection.”

Louis le Bailly Source: Naval Review

‘… there has been a grandscale breakthrough … No one who is serious about intelligence studies should fail to become familiar with this book.’

H. Bradford Westerfield Source: Intelligence and Counterintelligence

‘This is an important book about the Anglo-Saxon tradition of intelligence management.’

Michael I. Handel Source: The International History Review

‘Herman has written the most complete in-depth study of intelligence yet to appear. A former British intelligence officer … he combines practical experience with astute and sophisticated academic understanding to produce a book that should become the basic intelligence text and a professional bible.’

J. D. Stemple Source: Choice

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