The crucial part played by intelligence and espionage techniques - by spying ? in Britain during the Civil Wars and the Commonwealth has rarely been studied, yet it is a key to understanding the dangerous politics and the open warfare of those troubled times. In this fascinating and original account, Julian Whitehead traces the rapid development of intelligence techniques during this, one of the most confused and uncertain phases of British history. His vivid narrative demonstrates how leaders on all sides set up increasingly effective systems for gathering and interpreting intelligence, and it shows the decisive impact intelligence had on events. The intrigue, the secret operations, the many plots and counter-plots, and the colourful personalities involved, make compelling reading AUTHOR: After reading history at Oxford, Julian Whitehead, joined the Intelligence Corps in 1966. Most of his military career was spent in intelligence or security duties.. His work covered combat and strategic intelligence, security, agent handling, interrogation, imagery analysis and special operations. His posts included Chief of Staff Intelligence Centre and Deputy Director Security for the Ministry of Defence. On leaving the Army he worked for an encryption software company and in risk management. At present he is Security Advisor to Historic Royal Palaces. He has a long-standing interest in the early development of intelligence work and in the history of Britain during the Restoration period. He lives in Oxfordshire. SELLING POINTS: * Gripping narrative of seventeenth-century espionage * Insight into the neglected early history of intelligence techniques * Portraits of the spymasters Thomas Scott and John Thurloe * Reconstructs the key intelligence operations of the Civil Wars * Reveals the vital role of spying in Cromwell's Commonwealth ILLUSTRATIONS 20 illustrations
