GCHQ

Centenary Edition

De: Richard Aldrich

Narrado por: Peter Noble

FULLY UPDATED CENTENARY EDITION

‘An important book’ Max Hastings, Sunday Times

GCHQ is the largest and most secretive intelligence organisation in the UK, and has existed for 100 years – but we still know next to nothing about it.

In this ground-breaking book – the first and most definitive history of the organisation ever published – intelligence expert Richard Aldrich traces GCHQ’s development from a wartime code-breaking operation based in the Bedfordshire countryside into one of the world leading espionage organisations.

Packed with dramatic spy stories, GCHQ also explores the organisation’s role behind the most alarming headlines of our time, from fighting ISIS to cyberterrorism, from the surveillance state to Russian hacking. Revelatory, brilliantly written and fully updated, this is the crucial missing link in Britain’s intelligence history.

©2019 Richard Aldrich (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Richard J. Aldrich is an outstanding analyst and historian of intelligence and he tells this story well...an important book, which will make readers think uncomfortably not only about the state’s power to monitor our lives, but also the appalling vulnerability of every society in thrall to communications technology as we are." (Max Hastings, Sunday Times)

"An intriguing history of covert surveillance...thoroughly engaging." (Daily Telegraph)

"Skilfully weaves together the personal, political, military and technological dimensions of electronic espionage" (Economist)

Factual and riveting

Amazingly well researched incredibly detailed had to listen twice to catch all the information strongly recommend

Absolutely fascinating

This is such a fascinating story, crisply presented. The way the history is connected together to carry the reader (listener) from the start to the current day is to be admired. It doesn't go into the technical detail of what was involved, which might be expected, largely focusing on the politics, personalities and events, but it can be frustrating to be teased (how were things compromised, how were certain devices able to capture information). It's really, though, my only wish - to have seen a bit more under the covers of the technical aspects.

Outstanding description

Fascinating study. The final chapters were excellent: discussing the impact of Snowden and the challenge of dealing with the explosion of communication data engendered by the internet. Dry but highly interesting book. The challenges faced and overcome by the security services continue to present huge intellectual and resource demands that if unmet will expose us to severe risk.