- Paperback: 160 pages
- Publisher: Brandon / Mount Eagle Publications Ltd; New edition edition (Dec 1986)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0863220894
- ISBN-13: 978-0863220890
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 1.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 722,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Synopsis
Joan Miller was personal assistant to Maxwell Knight, wartime chief of MI5's B5(b) counter-subversion section. This book describes her experiences. It was banned in Britain by the High Court, but the Crown has now agreed to discharge the injunction as it was contrary to European law.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
I obtained my copy of this work during a visit to the area in which this book was published and whilst MI5 is not a specific area of interest for me the period in which the recollections are set are.
In my view this is a pleasant read in that it does not over burden the reader with dates and the level of detail one would expect from a heavily referenced piece of academic work and being a personal recollection this is entirely appropriate.
I was struck by the candid naming of persons and locations in this work which was for me a breath of fresh air and may have added some weight to the then Government's argument in seeking this work being banned.
The publisher's closing notes on the subject of the Thatcher Government and their attitude to this book and the Peter Wright `Spy Catcher' incident made for me particularly interesting reading.
In keeping with other similar clandestine organisations at the time the `old boy network' is very clear to see and perhaps at that time personal recommendation from someone seemingly `in the know' was about as good as it could get until security checks or `indiscretions' suggested otherwise.
The recollections of Ms Miller's personal relationships made for me interesting reading suggesting that there was inevitably some lee-way as to the subject of fidelity during war time.
I was touched by her clear fondness for her Spanish Lawyer lover who she does not name and I would hope that he knew how she felt about him.
Ms Miller's recollections on her relationship with M were for me a revelation in the sense that his sexuality had not been discovered by someone else although it is inferred that later in his life M was being blackmailed as a result.
It is somewhat ironic that both the then head of MI5 and [to me at least] the Genius Alan Turing would have been prosecuted for their sexuality at the same time they were performing unimaginably valuable work for a country on the brink of invasion.
As the subject of M's sexuality and his personal characteristics were being described by Ms Miller it reminded me of the fantastic scene with Alec Leamas [Richard Burton] in the 1965 film "The Spy who came in from the cold" when he describes in somewhat disparaging tones, the personal qualities and quirks of spies whilst stood under a bridge.
This was for me a fascinating and enlightening read written with only some holds barred assumedly to lessen any embarassment for some who may still be alive or to preserve the memories of those who have since left us.
In my view this is a pleasant read in that it does not over burden the reader with dates and the level of detail one would expect from a heavily referenced piece of academic work and being a personal recollection this is entirely appropriate.
I was struck by the candid naming of persons and locations in this work which was for me a breath of fresh air and may have added some weight to the then Government's argument in seeking this work being banned.
The publisher's closing notes on the subject of the Thatcher Government and their attitude to this book and the Peter Wright `Spy Catcher' incident made for me particularly interesting reading.
In keeping with other similar clandestine organisations at the time the `old boy network' is very clear to see and perhaps at that time personal recommendation from someone seemingly `in the know' was about as good as it could get until security checks or `indiscretions' suggested otherwise.
The recollections of Ms Miller's personal relationships made for me interesting reading suggesting that there was inevitably some lee-way as to the subject of fidelity during war time.
I was touched by her clear fondness for her Spanish Lawyer lover who she does not name and I would hope that he knew how she felt about him.
Ms Miller's recollections on her relationship with M were for me a revelation in the sense that his sexuality had not been discovered by someone else although it is inferred that later in his life M was being blackmailed as a result.
It is somewhat ironic that both the then head of MI5 and [to me at least] the Genius Alan Turing would have been prosecuted for their sexuality at the same time they were performing unimaginably valuable work for a country on the brink of invasion.
As the subject of M's sexuality and his personal characteristics were being described by Ms Miller it reminded me of the fantastic scene with Alec Leamas [Richard Burton] in the 1965 film "The Spy who came in from the cold" when he describes in somewhat disparaging tones, the personal qualities and quirks of spies whilst stood under a bridge.
This was for me a fascinating and enlightening read written with only some holds barred assumedly to lessen any embarassment for some who may still be alive or to preserve the memories of those who have since left us.
Format:Hardcover
I got this book as a support to research I was conducting into the Right Club and Captain Ramsay. I found Joan Miller's story to be interesting and surprising. It seemed to me that the British intelligence service was a hotch-potch of people whose greatest claim to be included was that they were schoolboy mates of someone already an agent! Few seemed actually to be talented in spying or spy-catching! The few that were, were clearly very clever people indeed, that must have made the difference. Many were closet homosexuals, at that time illegal, and knowledge of their proclivities by the enemy would have made them ripe for blackmail. It makes you think that the German intelligence service must have been every bit as inept, otherwise I cannot see how MI5 would have had any success at all! That said, there are some interesting anecdotes in the story. I enjoyed it, anyway.
Format:Hardcover
An excellent read. Unlike most books on the subject that will fill their pages with the 'same old' history. This Book was banned in the UK which was one of the reasons that got my interest. It is not that easy to work out why it was banned! then you realise that the old boy net must of been involved.
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