Intelligence Power in Peace and War
Published on 13. October 1996
Book
Hardback
440 pages
978-0-521-56231-7 (ISBN)
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 / Votes
'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, 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, 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, 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, Intelligence and Counterintelligence 'This is an important book about the Anglo-Saxon tradition of intelligence management.' Michael I. Handel, 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, ChoiceMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
18 Line drawings, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
861 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-56231-7 (9780521562317)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Michael Herman
Intelligence Power in Peace and War
E-Book
04/2011
1st Edition
Cambridge University Press
€44.49
Available for download
Michael Herman
Intelligence Power in Peace and War
E-Book
10/1996
Cambridge University Press
€36.99
Available for download
Content
Introduction; Part I. Evolution and Outline: 1. Antecedents; 2. Organizations; 3. Resources, stages and subjects; Part II. Components and Boundaries: 4. Collection sources; 5. Collection characteristics; 6. All-source analysis and assessment; 7. Boundaries; Part III. Effects: 8. Intelligence and national action; 9. International action; 10. Intelligence and security; 11. Intelligence threats; 12. Intelligence cooperation; Part IV. Accuracy: 13. Failure and remedies; 14. Problems of defence intelligence; 15. Top level assessment; Part V. Evolution and Management: 16. The production process; 17. Managing the community; 18. The agency manager; Part VI. The 1990s and Beyond: 19. National importance; 20. International dimensions; Part VII. Summary: 21. Modern intelligence power.