Spy/counterspy;: The autobiography of Dusko Popov Review

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(More customer reviews)I read this book in 1974 when I was 16. I thought it was a great spy novel, along with "Escape from Colditz". The title was apparently taken from "Point-Counterpoint". The author resided with his family in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia on the Dalmation coast of Croatia (AKA Adriatic Riviera and a favorite spot of Jacques Cousteau) which was originally a Roman Seaport named Ragusa, and, after repeated enquiries, Popov described himself as Ragusan in a very Tito-like fashion. With the advent of the internet, I searched out and bought an out-of-print hardcover copy for another read. It was still a good read 30+ years later. I suspect the British Committe 20 (written committee XX), nicknamed the double-cross committee is the source for the 00 designation and its origin may be as simple as tic-tac-toe or just plain Freudian. The "M" designation in the Bond series may have originated from the names "Menzies" and/or "Masterman" who were both connected with committe 20 for training double-agents during WWII. The classic Bond casino scene is described in the book as being originated in a Lisbon casino where Popov used a substantial amount of British funds, intended for other purposes, to publicly deflate the ego of a successful, but pompous Middle-Eastern Gambler in a game of baccarat. Perhaps, Popov believed turkish cafe was the ONLY saving grace of the Ottoman occupation, who knows!? Trying to sift through Balkan history brings the word "chaos" to mind. Ian Fleming was surveilling Popov at the time of the casino encounter and Popov describes the scene, quite well in the book. I'm writing this review now after viewing the new "Casino Royale" movie which intimates the origin of the 007 myth. I believe this book would have and still will be the best jumping-off point for the fledgeling, idealistic and impetuous James Bond character in his mid-twenties during WWII developing into the wordly and vastly more experienced cold war character that Sean Connery so aptly portrayed and immortalised and has yet to be uncrowned 007.

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Silent Warfare: Understanding the World of Intelligence, 3d Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)Silent Warfare is probably the best introductory text available covering the subject of intelligence. It reads like a text book, but that's because it basically IS a textbook. It's a serious academic text rather than a cloak and dagger story. This is one to read for understanding rather than necessarily for pleasure.
The book is fairly short but covers all the bases in terms of types of intelligence, types of intelligence organisation, the various debates surrounding the subject etc. It is, perhaps inevitably, somewhat America-centric. British intelligence and the KGB stick their heads into the picture from time to time, largely to provide illustrative comparisons rather than as studies in themselves.
When making a point, the authors generally try to provide historical examples and comparison, which is helpful, especially for the beginner. It also helps to enliven the text a bit.
The book is extremely well sourced and many of the end notes contain further explanations and are extremely interesting in themselves.
The only thing I feel the book lacks, and this is a fairly minor quibble, is a bibliography. This would have been very useful, especially in what is intended to be an introductory textbook. A bibliographical essay with suggestions for recommended further reading would have been even better.
Quibbles aside, this is a very good primer and to the best of my knowledge there are no books on the market that can compete with it in terms of providing a solid academic introduction to the subject. People with a serious interest in intelligence would be well advised to follow this book up by taking a look at the works of Michael Herman, which provide more in-depth coverage (especially "Intelligence Power in Peace and War") and a non-American (in this case British) angle - though they may be a little heavy for the absolute novice.
To sum up, if you have never read an academic book on intelligence before this is the one to go for.

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