Intelligence and the War against Japan: Britain, America and the Politics of Secret Service

Description

Intelligence and the War against Japan offers a comprehensive scholarly history of the development of the British secret service and its relations with its American intelligence counterparts during the war against Japan. Richard J. Aldrich makes extensive use of recently declassified files in order to examine the politics of secret service during the Far Eastern War, analysing the development of organizations such as Bletchley Park, the Special Operations Executive and the Office of Strategic Services in Asia. He argues that, from the Battle of Midway in June 1942, the Allies focused increasingly on each other's future ambitions, rather than the common enemy. Central to this theme are Churchill, Roosevelt and their rivalry over the future of empire in Asia. Richard J. Aldrich's cogent, fluent analysis of the role of intelligence in Far Eastern developments is a thorough and penetrating account of this latter-day 'Great Game'.

From the hardback review: '... well-written, well-researched and thoughtful ... As a contribution to its subject - and to Second World War studies generally ... it may be a landmark.' The Daily Telegraph From the hardback review: 'Gripping and comprehensive ... this is a book that has to be welcomed.' The Sunday Times From the hardback review: '... an important supplemental history in an area that has been long dominated by a western focus on WWII's European theater.' Kirkus Reviews From the hardback review: '... [a] rich study ... [an] invaluable account'. The Spectator From the hardback review: 'The real fascination of this book lies in the proof that all the hard-won intelligence wrung from the airwaves and the nigh impenetrable Japanese codes often could not prevail against human frailty. Churchill completely mis-read the Eastern crisis in 1941, Aldrich points out.' Independent on Sunday 'Richard J. Aldrich opens up an important new dimension to Pacific war studies with his revelations about the infighting between the British and American allies to secure commercial hegemony in the post-war Far East.' The Sunday Times (military books of the year) '... a necessary read for all those interested in both intelligence history and, more importantly, Anglo-American relations generally.' Defence Studies 'Professor Aldrich has given us a pioneering, ground-breaking study based on unknown materials culled from British and American archives which have only been declassified in the 1990s ... the author deploys his narrative with great skill and clarity ... he is judicious in his judgements which are carefully documents. All in all, this is important reading for all students of Japan.' The Japan Society Proceedings 'Intelligence and the War against Japan is one of the best books yet written in intelligence history, and essential to students in several fields ... a triumph of research and analysis.' Defense Analysis 'It is a necessary read for all those interested in both intelligence history and, more importantly, Anglo-American relations generally.' Journal of Defence Studies