M MI5'S First Spymaster

COOK Andrew

ISBN 10: 0752428969 / ISBN 13: 9780752428963

Published by Tempus Publishing, 2004. 9780752428963, 2004

About this Item

1st edn. 8vo. Original gilt lettered black cloth (Fine), dustwrapper (near Fine, not price clipped). Pp. 287, illus with b&w plates (some biro marks in margin p. 227 and previous owner's gift inscription on front free endpaper).

Seller Inventory # 131996

Bibliographic Details

• Title: M MI5'S First Spymaster
• Publisher: Tempus Publishing, 2004. 9780752428963
• Publication Date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0752428969
• ISBN 13: 9780752428963
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
• Seller catalogs:
  • Military History

About this title

Synopsis

William Melville was one of the most influential counter-espionage figures of the 20th century. He was perfect for the job, a velvet-gloved hardman who had run Special Branch and whose career had already taken in some of London’s great crime dramas, including the Jack the Ripper investigations, Irish Republican terrorism, and assassination attempts on Queen Victoria and Edward VII. Now, with the help of recently declassified records, family material, and records that have still not officially seen the light of day, the story of his Secret Service career—including the breaking of German spy rings prior to the outbreak of the First World War—can finally be told.

From the Publisher

William Melville was one of the most influential counter–espionage figures of the twentieth century. From a tiny outfit based in Victoria Street in London, the counter–intelligence organisation that Melville created is today one of the world’s leading intelligence agencies. He was perfect for the job, a velvet–gloved hardman who had run Special Branch and whose career had already taken in some of London’s great crime dramas, including the Jack the Ripper investigations, Irish Republican terrorism and assassination attempts on Queen Victoria and Edward VII.

Now, with the help of recently declassified records, family material and records that have still not officially seen the light of day, the story of his Secret Service career—including the breaking of German spy rings prior to the outbreak of the First World War—can finally be told.

Andrew Cook worked for many years as a foreign affairs and defense specialist. He is the author of Ace of Spies: The True Story of Sidney Reilly, also published by Tempus. He is a regular contributor on espionage history to THE GUARDIAN, THE TIMES and HISTORY TODAY.