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H. R. Trevor-Roper
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The Secret World: Behind the Curtain of British Intelligence in World War II and the Cold War Hardcover – 30 Aug. 2014

by Hugh Trevor-Roper (Author), E. D. Harrison (Editor)
4.5 out of 5 stars 29 ratings
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During World War II, Britain enjoyed spectacular success in the secret war between hostile intelligence services, enabling a substantial and successful expansion of British counter-espionage which continued to grow in the Cold War era. Hugh Trevor-Roper's experiences working in the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) during the war left a profound impression on him and he later observed the world of intelligence with particular discernment. To Trevor-Roper, who was always interested in the historical dimension of the present and was fully alive to the historical significance of the era in which he lived, the subjects of wartime intelligence and the complex espionage networks that developed in the Cold War period were as worthy of profound investigation and reflection as events from the more-distant past. Expressing his observations through some of his most ironic and entertaining correspondence, articles and reviews, Trevor-Roper wrote vividly about some of the greatest intelligence characters of the age - from Kim Philby and Michael Straight to the Germans Admiral Canaris and Otto John.
The coherence, depth and historical vision which unites these writings can only be glimpsed when they are brought together from the scattered publications in which they appeared, and when read beside his unpublished, private reflections. The Secret World unites Trevor-Roper's writings on the subject of intelligence - including the full text of The Philby Affair and some of his personal letters to leading figures. Based on original material and extensive supplementary research by E.D.R Harrison, this book is a sharp, revealing and personal first-hand account of the intelligence world in World War II and the Cold War.
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  1. Print length
    330 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    I.B. Tauris
  4. Publication date
    30 Aug. 2014
  5. Dimensions
    16 x 3.05 x 23.39 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1780762089
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1780762081
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Product description

Review

superlatively entertaining

John Banville, the Guardian

An extraordinarily rich record of an unusually rich mind- one of the most interesting people in recent English intellectual life, caught at one of the most vital moments in English history.

Standpoint

A humorous, waspish and intriguing performance. --The Times

About the Author

Hugh Trevor-Roper was the most brilliant historian of his generation. An expert in the history of early modern Britain and Nazi Germany, he was Regius Professor of Modern History at Oxford University and latterly Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge. He received a life peerage in 1979. He was the author of numerous books, including his famous investigation of Hitler's last days. During World War II, Trevor-Roper served in the Secret Intelligence Service, giving him a remarkable insight into the work of the intelligence services in Britain. A collection of his diaries - The Wartime Journals (I.B.Tauris) - has recently been published. E.D.R Harrison is an historian and writer specialising in World War II. He attended Trevor-Roper's lectures while at Oxford University and has taught history at universities in Britain and the US. He has held the Laming Junior Fellowship, the Alistair Horne Visiting Fellowship at Oxford University and an Anthony de Rothschild Fellowship in History of the Churchill Trust. He is the author of The Young Kim Philby: Soviet Spy and British Intelligence Officer.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ I.B. Tauris; First Edition (30 Aug. 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 330 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1780762089
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1780762081
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16 x 3.05 x 23.39 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

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H. R. Trevor-Roper

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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Gerbil
    5.0 out of 5 stars History lived as well as written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 May 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Fascinating insider story of the intelligence battle with Germany 1939-45, morphing into the Cold War. Trevor-Roper, one of Britain's finest historians, was in the middle of it at MI6. This book republishes his letters, book reviews on intelligence matters, and especially, his long pieces of Philby and Admiral Canaris (of the German Abwehr). Penetrating psychologically, TR's sharply-styled prose at its best. The ample comment and notes by the editor are always illuminating.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Patrick Patton
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 December 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A cold douche on some ignorant speculations. Some personal antipathies and prejudices show through.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • H. McCarthy
    5.0 out of 5 stars A classic and a good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 May 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Bought for a friend who is a young espionage buff and had so far missed this. She is thrilled with it, finds it intriguing and packed with information.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 June 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Great!, very detailed book!
    One person found this helpful
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  • MMHS
    3.0 out of 5 stars A disjointed collection of Hugh Trevor-Roper’s essays and book reviews that vary considerably in interest.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 November 2014
    This book gets better after a poor start. As previous reviewers have pointed out the first two sections essentially repeat themselves, as do other sections and makes you wonder if the editor read the final book.

    The sections I most enjoyed were the ones on Philby, particularly Trevor-Roper’s insights into Philby’s motivation and beliefs. There‘s also an interesting section on Otto John, the West German Chief of counter intelligence who defected to the East then returned just over a year later. John was also involved in the 20th July plot to kill Hitler and fled to England via Lisbon. Now there’s an interesting subject for a book!

    In summary not the most exciting or interesting read from the author of “The Last Days of Hitler” but some nuggets worth persevering for.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • M. M
    4.0 out of 5 stars Canaris and Philby described with flair.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 December 2017
    Roper doesn't give away enough here. His analysis of Canraris and Philby should be required reading for any intelligence analyst, to find out what the job is about. The MI5/6 tiffs are well described. I would have liked more details how they broke Abwehr cyphers, as that was a truly amazing feat, worth being up there with BP and Enigma. . THe 5/6 infighting seems to be noted as more important than actual work, on wonder this man was nearly convicted of treason by stupid managers.
    His prose is a delight but like all others, he doesn't cover Peter Wright properly, nobody seems to be able to do that yet. I tested several of Wrights technical claims, finding that they work. yet nobody seems to credit this to Wright.
    His denouement of Philby needs wider recognition, that traitor now dead, is still revered in the country he fled to.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • peter davies
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 December 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliant
    One person found this helpful
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  • Pixie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, concise a pleasure.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 May 2015
    I loved this book and found it hard to put down. I think the only book by Trevor Roper I have ever read was 'The Last Days of Hitler,' in the mid 1950s. Now I realise I have missed something.

    Growing up in the 1940s and 50s the Cold War, the Cambridge 5 (initially just 2 at this time) and spying e.g. the Otto John affair) seemed always to be in the forefront of everyday life and news. These pieces are a clear reminder of the time. I particularly liked his view on Philby.

    The writing is superb in its precision and clarity. This would make a good textbook for historians on how to write though I never like quotes in foreign languages - usually Latin here.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • GERARD LA TOURNERIE
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on 6 April 2015
    Verified Purchase
    GREAT BACKGROUND INFORMATION REQUIRED TO UNDERSTAND LEIRGER PICTURE THEN AND NOW
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  • James Whiteside
    3.0 out of 5 stars The bureaucracy behind the spies
    Reviewed in the United States on 27 November 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Much tedious detail mainly of interest to scholars and wartime history buffs. Passing reference to actions. Interesting evolution of public disclosure of intelligence events.
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