How Spies Think

“Omand has a unique combination of experience as both a producer and consumer of secret intelligence, a deep knowledge of intelligence history and techniques, and a gift for lucid exposition. An invaluable book for anyone who wants to think like a spy but also for those concerned about the role spies can play in a democracy” Lawrence Freedman, author, Strategy: A History“One of the best books ever written about intelligence analysis and its long-term lessons. Brilliant, lucid and thought-provoking” Christopher Andrew, author, The Secret World: A History of Intelligence

David Omand was the first UK Security and Intelligence Coordinator, responsible to the Prime Minister for the professional health of the intelligence community, national counter-terrorism strategy and “homeland security”. He served for seven years on the Joint Intelligence Committee. He was Permanent Secretary of the Home Office from 1997 to 2000, and before that Director of GCHQ.