How Spies Think: Ten Lessons in Intelligence Paperback – 1 July 2021

This is a gem of a book. In its proper setting it belongs alongside Sun Zu, “Art of War” and Allison and Zelikow “Essence of Decision” as an introduction to the study of International Affairs and classics in the genre.Sun Zu tells us “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”― Sun Tzu, The Art of WarAllison and Zelikow describe the conflicting views of what was happening and the courses of action open to the Americans during the Cuban Missile crisis, and the difficulty of figuring out which was correct and what action to take.Sir David starts by defining a methodology in four stages that forms a framework to support analysis and thought and evaluate for error. Unlike a project management methodology it is not gated to allow progress from one stage to the other and allows previous stages to updated and modified as new information arises.He introduces the basic mathematical analysis that underlies Bayesian Statistics to illustrate how probabilities and evaluation of risks change as time goes on and new facts arise.His SEES methodology illustrates how to analyse complex problems and the following six chapters illustrate how to figure out if you have got it wrong or have been misled.An implicit theme is the need to manage the content of social media without the introduction of overt censorship. The difficulty lies in the triviality of the content of newspapers and TV and streaming video services that infantilise the viewers and readers instead of educating them.I attempted to apply the methodology to a given problem, and to my delight I came up with the same result as other reputable authorities. His chapter on analysing your thinking for bias is really valuable.

Much of the book reads like a written-up version of teaching notes. It is surprising that editor allowed the presentation model to be deployed so much: this is what I going to tell you, I am telling you, this is what I told you.The linking of intelligence and risk management techniques to personal life is half-hearted and unconvincing.Anyone who has read Perlroth, Zuboff etc will learn nothing new about cyber risk. Same with anyone who followed investigations into Russian influencing of Western elections. I guess the rehashes here reflect that students perhaps need them.I would have gone for two stars if it were not for some good anecdotes. Good to hear in an irrelevant aside that the author went to Corpus Cristi, Cambridge and it was founded in 1352 or thereabouts. More positively, thank goodness that the country has such sharp and sensible minds in GCHQ etc. And thanks to to the author for his service to the country.

This is a well written book; that explains how to think.The author worked in government under Margaret Thatcher for the Falklands war; right up to Tony Blair so has vast experience to how a government should work.His example that Turin and three other decipherers were not having their decoding acted upon swiftly enough because to many people read the reports before Churchill was fabulous. The Idea that on decoder took a message to Churchill's personal secretary was immense. Churchill then said all deciphering had to be brought to him straightaway. The message to then passed down the chain; rather than the other way up.A found it was best to read a chapter at a time so I could take in what I had read. I would read a novel and still be thinking of Mr Ormond's book.

Having visited Bletchley Park, the UK head quarters for coding and connections to spying in WW2, I was looking at books around the subject and came across this one. It's an interesting read, but I have dipped in and out of it over time as it's pretty dry. Can't say I love it or found it hugely engaging, but it's well researched and written.

While this isn't a bad book I feel like the concepts can be widely sourced from other books/sources. If you have an existing interest in intelligence then I imagine you will find it far more satisfying than if, like me, you are only after the personal development.

The books illustrates how people and nations can be persuaded into believing anything by many psychological methods. If you are naive enough to believe that, people, governments, companies and ideological groups are there to act in your best interests - read the book - you might well find that you examine these groups, and yourself, a little more closely.If you tell people what they want to hear enough times lies, half truths and misinformation very quickly become truths. This is vividly illustrated by the examination of international political shenanigans during the last decade or two. If you are of a cynical disposition I doubt that you will be surprised by what is said but if you aren't; read the book and have a think about things.

In an age dominated by an abundance of information both good and bad, it is essential that citizens learn how to be more critical of the information they receive. This book does that in an entertaining and understandable way. The author has broad and deep understanding of the concepts presented from his own experience gained from a long and distinguished career. This should be part of the national curriculum so that our children become more informed voters and less influenced by the tidal wave of misinformation.

I really enjoyed this book. Lots of interesting insights and ways think more effectively.