About this Item
A first printing of the true first paperback edition - there was a simultaneously published hardcover edition also published by Burnett Books. ***A very good copy in illustrated card covers. The covers have some marks and creasing commensurate with age and handling. Edges of covers slightly rubbed and creased. Slight creasing to the spine with some light vertical reading creases. No tears. With the printed price of £6.95 net on the back cover. Some fading to the titles on the spine. Page block edges clean. No reading lean to the binding. Internally also very good, with a neat ownership inscription at the top of the first page. Internal pages clean. No foxing. No creases or tears. ***488 pages including a section of five Appendices at the back of the book. 215mm x 135mm. ***'Duncan Campbell FRSA (born 1952) is a British freelance investigative journalist, author, and television producer. Since 1975, he has specialised in the subjects of intelligence and security services, defence, policing, civil liberties and, latterly, computer forensics. He was a staff writer at the New Statesman from 1978 to 1991 and associate editor (Investigations) from 1988 to 1991. He was prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act in the ABC trial in 1978 and made the controversial series Secret Society for the BBC in 1987 (see Zircon affair). In 1988, he revealed the existence of the ECHELON surveillance program. He was also a regular contributor to the New Scientist and Time Out magazines, which during the early 1970s had a much more radical editorial remit than they did in later years. In 1976, Campbell wrote a seminal story for Time Out, co-authored with Mark Hosenball, called "The Eavesdroppers". It was the first time the British news media printed the acronym GCHQ, which stood for Government Communications Headquarters, a highly secretive arm of the British secret services, responsible for communications interception. The article led to the forcible deportation of its American co-author, Hosenball. Campbell, who could not be deported, was instead placed under MI5 surveillance, which included the tapping of his phones. The following year, Campbell agreed to talk with ex-signals intelligence operator, John Berry, at Berry's home. He was accompanied by fellow Time Out reporter, Crispin Aubrey. After a three-hour conversation, Special Branch arrested the three under the Official Secrets Act 1911, leading to the ABC trial. In 1982, Campbell published "War Plan UK - the Truth about Civil Defence in Britain", which revealed and discussed - often for the first time - the inadequacy and futility of the British government's preparations in the event of nuclear war.' (Wiki) ***'Duncan Campbell, award-winning staff writer on the New Statesman, reports on the results of five years' research into the real face of British civil defence. "War Plan UK" starts with the full plans and scenarios for Hard Rock 82 - the War game the Home Office postponed because not enough councils wanted to "play". (Quote taken from the back cover) ***A first printing of the true first paperback edition of this important book, in very good condition, published during the height of the Cold War. Both the hardback and paperback first editions of this book are very uncommon. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.
Seller Inventory # PB692
Contact seller
Report this item
