Government Communications Headquarters (Coronet Books)

West's book is a fairly comprehensive history of SIGINT and the intel business from the British side, from the earliest days of radio and Marconi, through both World Wars and the Cold War. As an American reader, I was especially interested in what he had to say about GCHQ's long alliance with the National Security Agency, from the 50s onward. Accounts of little known, early spy plane shootdowns by the Soviets are revealed, as well as the more famous U2 incident and the capture of Francis Gary Powers. Various spies and turncoats are discussed, both from England and the United States. West gives espionage aficionados much to chew on here. Makes me want to take another look at James Bamford's PUZZLE PALACE and its sequel. Highly show more recommended for history buffs.

Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, SOLDIER BOY: AT PLAY IN THE ASA show less

A detailed and complex history of British SIGINT before 1945, it really does go back to 1900. The pre-WWII information is hard to find and fills in quite a few gaps. Post war it is more implied and it becomes a general history of Western SIGINT and includes a lot on the NSA and less on GCHQ. The later chapters are great primers for anyone interested in Intelligence during the Cold War.