Intelligence in War: Knowledge of the Enemy from Napoleon to Al-QaedaA masterly look at the value and limitations of intelligence in the conduct of war from the premier military historian of our time, John Keegan. Intelligence gathering is an immensely complicated and vulnerable endeavor. And it often fails. Until the invention of the telegraph and radio, information often traveled no faster than a horse could ride, yet intelligence helped defeat Napoleon. In the twentieth century, photo analysts didn’t recognize Germany’s V-2 rockets for what they were; on the other hand, intelligence helped lead to victory over the Japanese at Midway. In Intelligence in War, John Keegan illustrates that only when paired with force has military intelligence been an effective tool, as it may one day be in besting al-Qaeda. |
Contents
Chasing Napoleon | |
Local Knowledge Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley | |
Wireless Intelligence | |
Crete Foreknowledge No Help | |
Midway The Complete Intelligence Victory? | |
Intelligence One Factor Among Many The Battle of the Atlantic | |
Human Intelligence and Secret Weapons | |
Military Intelligence Since 1945 | |
The Value of Military Intelligence | |
Other Books by John Keegan | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
achieved Admiral Admiralty advance agents aircraft allowed American appeared army arrived Atlantic attack base battle began Bletchley bomb Britain British cable campaign captain carriers command communication convoy course cruiser decided decision defeat defence direction Division Dutch East Indies early east effectively enemy Enigma escorts eventually fighting fire fleet flying force four French German groups important Indian intelligence interception islands Italy Jackson Japanese June known land later launched London lost March means Mediterranean messages Midway miles military Mountain naval navy Nelson North Northern Ocean officer operations organisation Pacific particularly ports position radio reason remained result rocket Royal sailed secret sent ships signal South speed squadron station strategic success superior supplied took troops turned U-boats United Valley victory waters weapons wireless World