Davies, Philip H.J. "Ideas of Intelligence: Divergent Concepts and National Institutions." Harvard International Review 24, no. 3 (Fall 2002): 62-66. Davies, Philip H.J. "Ideas of Intelligence: Divergent Concepts and National Institutions." Harvard International Review 24, no. 3 (Fall 2002): 62-66.
The author includes the substantive elements of intelligence as laid out by Sherman Kent. The focus is on the differences between the British and U.S. concepts of intelligence.
Dulles, Allen. The Craft of Intelligence. New York: Harper & Row, 1963. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1963. New York: Signet Books, 1965. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1977. Boulder, CO: Westview, 1985. Guilford, CT: Lyons Press, 2006.
Clark comment: This is one of the classic pieces of intelligence literature. Not everyone agrees with every Dulles statement about intelligence, but the book holds up remarkably well fortysomething years after it was published in a time with vastly different views about intelligence.
Frank G. Wisner, Studies 8.1 (Winter 1964), sees this as "a most valuable book, one which ... should be read ... by all persons having a serious professional interest in the subject of intelligence, and hopefully also by a wide segment of the general public." Nevertheless, there is an "imbalance" in the work "in favor of intelligence tradecraft ... and to the disadvantage of certain of the most important functions and problems of the research and analysis and estimative process." Wisner shares a number of additional thoughts on the practice of intelligence and counterintelligence, which are well worth reading apart from their role in this review article.
According to Pforzheimer, Dulles touches on "some of the earlier history of intelligence, examines many aspects of intelligence requirements, collection, and production, describes the Communist intelligence services, and explores the uses of intelligence."
Petersen views The Craft of Intelligence as "[o]bservations based on the career experience of a foremost US practitioner who served as DCI 1953-1961. The 1965 paperback edition ... includes additional material."
To Constantinides, the book is "a veritable storehouse on the philosophy of intelligence and on Dulles's general approach to it." Beyond that, however, "this work is a realistic picture of intelligence." Nevertheless, later information has dated some of his accounts, such as those of Cicero and the Berlin Tunnel.
After noting that the 2006 edition is the same as the revised 1965 edition, Peake, Studies 50.4 (2006), comments that "the book is an easy read and excellent introduction to the profession, as it deals with both the history and functional aspects of the topic."
For a brief look at some of Dulles' ideas, see Allen Dulles, "The Craft of Intelligence," Harper's 226 (Apr. 1963): 128-174.
Felix, Christopher [James McCargar]. A Short Course in the Secret War. New York: Dutton,
1963. The Spy and His Masters: A Short Course in the Secret War.
London: Secker & Warburg, 1963. 2d ed. New York: Dell, 1988. Lanham,
MD: Madison via University Press of America, 1992.
According to an advertisement for the 1992 edition of this book, the author is an "erstwhile career diplomat, former intelligence officer and political agent." The Madison edition contains a new introduction "that summarizes the world situation at the close of the Cold War."
Pforzheimer notes that the book covers "various aspects of covert action, clandestine collection, and intelligence tradecraft. The first half ... is recommended."
To Constantinides, Short Course is an "outstanding book on intelligence tradecraft and practice.... The second part [of the book] recounts the author's experiences in Hungary in 1946-1947. His description of Communist security, takeover, and other techniques is especially important."
Licklider, Intelligencer 7.1, says that one reason for this book's "longevity is that it explains the basic concepts of intelligence better than any other. Clear distinctions between intelligence and espionage, knowing and secret knowing, and counterintelligence and security" make it possible "to better understand the way intelligence works in any environment."
For MacFarland, CIRA Newsletter 26.1, Short Course "may be the best of a small number of treatises that discuss the process and philosophy of the intelligence business.... Felix's writing is concise, witty and engaging, and the book is filled with entertaining anecdotes."
Foot, M.R.D. "What
Use Are Secret Services?" In In the Name of Intelligence: Essays
in Honor of Walter Pforzheimer, eds. Hayden B. Peake and Samuel Halpern,
277-282. Washington, DC: NIBC Press, 1994.
Furst,
Alan. "Autumn Deceptions." Intelligence Quarterly 2, no.
3 (1986): 4-5.
Petersen: "Application of intelligence deception precepts in professional football."
Forward to What Is Intelligence?
H-L
Return to What Is Intelligence?
Table of Contents