This paperback edition of ‘Very Special Intelligence’ has been re-issued, the original book was written by Patrick Beesly and published by Hamish Hamilton in 1977. I have always been interested in the story of the Admiralty’s Operational Intelligence Centre. It was a joy to receive this book from Pen and Sword for review. This 289 page edition covers many of the major Naval events in World War Two which you may have heard of and probably an equal number of which you will be totally unaware. The allure of this book and the high esteem in which it is held by Naval historians, goes a long way to explain why it was re-printed in 2000 and again 2006. Beesly wrote ‘Very Special Intelligence’ at a time when the general public’s knowledge of Ultra intelligence was virtually nil. It is important the reader digests this book with the benefit of hindsight. Obviously, in 1977 the author was very restricted in what he could say about Ultra. Many clandestine events alluded to in this book.. Read more
Stand-Easy

Highly recommended.
TRM Review Connect

The diary of Samuel Pepys, recounting the intimate details of his scandalous private life, is recognized as epitomizing seventeenth century life in London. What is much less well known is that his famous diary was not published until over a century after his death. Memoires was the only book Pepys published in his lifetime. With a new introduction by J D Davies, a leading historian of the Restoration Navy, this pocket-sized, facsimile version of the original book provides an inventory of ships and an overview of the Royal Navy at the time. More significantly, it is also Pepys's personal vindication of his achievements while at the centre of naval administration in the ten years leading up to his dismissal in 1688 when William and Mary came to the throne. In the manner of today's leading politicians and disgruntled civil servants, who after leaving high office in Whitehall rush to publish their memoirs, Pepys's version of events is intentionally the one he wanted remembered, rather than.. Read more
Pennant, November 2010