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
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