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Intelligence in War
- Knowledge of the Enemy from Napoleon to Al-Qaeda
- Narrated by: Richard Matthews
- Length: 15 hrs and 4 mins
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Publisher's summary
In fiction, the spy is a glamorous figure whose secrets make or break peace, but, historically, has intelligence really been a vital step to military victories? In this breakthrough study, the preeminent war historian John Keegan goes to the heart of a series of important conflicts to develop a powerful argument about military intelligence.
In his characteristically wry and perceptive prose, Keegan offers us nothing short of a new history of war through the prism of intelligence. He brings to life the split-second decisions that went into waging war before the benefit of aerial surveillance and electronic communications. The English admiral Horatio Nelson was hot on the heels of Napoleon’s fleet in the Mediterranean and never knew it, while Stonewall Jackson was able to compensate for the Confederacy’s disadvantage in firearms and manpower with detailed maps of the Appalachians.
In the past century, espionage and decryption have changed the face of battle: the Japanese surprise attack at the Battle of the Midway was thwarted by an early warning. Timely information, however, is only the beginning of the surprising and disturbing aspects of decisions that are made in war, where brute force is often more critical.
Intelligence in War is a thought-provoking work that ranks among John Keegan’s finest achievements.
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Critic reviews
"The author is the most popular, and perhaps the best, contemporary writer of military history." (Booklist)
"His case histories offer enough revelations and drama to satisfy any espionage buff....Keegan is always a pleasure to read for his wit, insight, and style." (The New York Times Book Review)
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- The Men Who Defeated the Nazi U-boats and Brought Science to the Art of Warfare
- By: Stephen Budiansky
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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In March 1941, after a year of unbroken and devastating U-boat onslaughts, the British War Cabinet decided to try a new strategy in the foundering naval campaign. To do so, they hired an intensely private, bohemian physicist who was also an ardent socialist. Patrick Blackett was a former navy officer and future winner of the Nobel Prize; he is little remembered today, but he and his fellow scientists did as much to win the war against Nazi Germany as almost anyone else.
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First time science used to fight a war
- By Jean on 08-20-14
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Hubris
- The Tragedy of War in the Twentieth Century
- By: Alistair Horne
- Narrated by: James Adams
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Sir Alistair Horne has been a close observer of war and history for more than 50 years, and in this wise and masterly work he revisits six battles of the past century and examines the strategies, leadership, preparation, and geopolitical goals of aggressors and defenders to reveal the one trait that links them all: hubris.
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I Never Heard W ll Explained this Way!
- By John on 09-01-16
By: Alistair Horne
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Hell to Pay
- Operation Downfall and the Invasion of Japan, 1945-1947
- By: D. M. Giangreco
- Narrated by: Danny Campbell
- Length: 16 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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U.S. planning for the invasion and military occupation of Imperial Japan began two years before the dropping of atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hell to Pay brings to light the political and military ramifications of the enormous casualties and loss of material projected by both sides in the climatic struggle to bring the Pacific War to a conclusion through a brutal series of battles on Japanese soil.
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This is a good piece of history.
- By David on 08-09-14
By: D. M. Giangreco
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Who Can Hold the Sea
- The U.S. Navy in the Cold War 1945-1960
- By: James D. Hornfischer
- Narrated by: Christopher Newton, Sharon Hornfischer
- Length: 17 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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This landmark account of the U.S. Navy in the Cold War, Who Can Hold the Sea combines narrative history with scenes of stirring adventure on—and under—the high seas. In 1945, at the end of World War II, the victorious Navy sends its sailors home and decommissions most of its warships. But this peaceful interlude is short-lived, as Stalin, America’s former ally, makes aggressive moves in Europe and the Far East.
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James D. Hornfisher's last work
- By JWHayn4563 on 05-05-22
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The Rise of Germany, 1939-1941
- The War in The West, Volume 1
- By: James Holland
- Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
- Length: 27 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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For seven decades, our understanding of World War II has been shaped by a standard narrative built on conventional wisdom, propaganda, the dramatic but narrow experiences of soldiers on the ground, and an early generation of historians. For his new history, James Holland has spent over 12 years unearthing new research, recording original testimony, and visiting battlefields and archives that have never before been so accessible.
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Good Book painfully read
- By richard on 01-21-16
By: James Holland
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Third Reich Victorious
- Alternate Histories of World War II
- By: Peter G. Tsouras
- Narrated by: David Baker
- Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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This book is a stimulating and entirely plausible insight into how Hitler and his generals might have defeated the Allies, and a convincing sideways look at the Third Reich's bid at world domination in World War II. What would have happened if, for example, the Germans captured the whole of the BEF at Dunkirk? Or if the RAF had been defeated in the Battle of Britain?
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A fresh look at WW2 - false but makes one wonder.
- By Eggert Eggertsson on 09-05-15
By: Peter G. Tsouras
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Fighting the Great War at Sea
- Strategy, Tactics and Technology
- By: Norman Friedman
- Narrated by: Tom Perkins
- Length: 30 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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This radical new book concentrates on the way in which each side tried to use or deny the sea to the other, and in so doing describes rapid wartime changes not only in ship and weapons technology but also in the way naval warfare was envisaged and fought. Melding strategic, technical, and tactical aspects, Friedman approaches World War I from a fresh perspective and demonstrates how its perceived lessons dominated the way navies prepared for World War II.
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dull, Dull, DULL
- By Anonymous User on 01-13-20
By: Norman Friedman
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Shattered Sword
- The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway
- By: Jonathan Parshall, Anthony Tully
- Narrated by: Tom Perkins
- Length: 24 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Many consider the Battle of Midway to have turned the tide of the Pacific War. It is without question one of the most famous battles in history. Now, for the first time since Gordon W. Prange's best-selling Miracle at Midway, Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully offer a new interpretation of this great naval engagement. Shattered Sword makes extensive use of Japanese primary sources. It also corrects the many errors of Mitsuo Fuchida's Midway: The Battle That Doomed Japan It thus forces a major, potentially controversial reevaluation of the great battle.
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Shattered Myths - These authors got it right?
- By Ol'BlueEyes on 05-13-19
By: Jonathan Parshall, and others
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America at War
- Concise Histories of U.S. Military Conflicts from Lexington to Afghanistan
- By: Terence T. Finn
- Narrated by: Sean Pratt
- Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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War-organized violence against an enemy of the state-seems part and parcel of the American journey. Indeed, the United States was established by means of violence as ordinary citizens from New Hampshire to Georgia answered George Washington's call to arms. Since then, war has become a staple of American history. Counting the War for Independence, the United States has fought the armed forces of other nations at least twelve times, averaging a major conflict every twenty years.
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Remember the past
- By Mary on 12-13-23
By: Terence T. Finn
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Atlantic Nightmare
- The Longest Continuous Military Campaign in World War Ii
- By: Richard Freeman
- Narrated by: Will Huggins
- Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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No other battle of the Second World War lasted longer than the 2,075 days of the Battle of the Atlantic. It raged from the opening day of the war in September 1939 until it ended almost six years later with Germany’s surrender in May 1945. Vital supplies of food, fuel, and the raw materials needed by the Allies to wage war had to be transported in merchant ships in escorted convoys across the Atlantic Ocean, where they were at the mercy of German U-boats and warships.
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Slanted Badly
- By Christopher on 07-07-24
By: Richard Freeman
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What listeners say about Intelligence in War
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- D. Littman
- 01-10-04
Military history more than history of intelligence
John Keegan is always an interesting writer. A good story teller. A good conveyer of fact. However, this book is mistitled. It is not a history of intelligence in war, it is a history of war with a bit of intelligence stuff thrown in for spice. It is an enjoyable book, but somewhat of a letdown if you are looking for the "spy" stuff.
One thing that Keegan does very well though, in the lengthy stories he tells, is to give you an appreciation of the limited value of intelligence in actual battlefield decisionmaking. Which may be why the stories are more about battlefield & strategic events than spying. The intelligence gathering brings forward useful information to commanders, but in the end is usually so stale or easily misinterpreted ... or quickly made obsolete by battlefield actions ... that its value is over-rated in the popular literature. Keegan proves these points repeatedly.
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24 people found this helpful
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- Paula
- 03-23-21
Needs a different title
The title rather implies that the scope would. Not focus on Europe and the 20th century. Keegan is the best so it is worthwhile just not as expected.
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- LbsZ
- 03-25-12
Solid read, but misleading title.
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
Yes. The book is a fairly good overview of intelligence in war and uses tangible examples to illustrate key concepts.
How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?
The book throws out a really key claim that the future of intelligence will need to focus heavily on HUMINT; however, it misses the opportunity to provide any strenuous examples of HUMINT in action. I.e., the reader is left wondering what operational role intelligence currently plays and needs to play in modern warfare & counterintelligence.
What about Richard Matthews’s performance did you like?
Excellent rhythm and pace.
Do you think Intelligence in War needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
Yes. The book seemed provided a good and in depth look at intelligence from the 18th - mid 19th century, but really needed to provide a more expansive look at pre-18th century and modern intelligence collection & its interaction with the military. Both also need intensive illustrations similar to the communications illustrations of Naval warfare. There was no knitty, gritty of HUMINT, which is what I most wanted to learn more about.
Any additional comments?
Great overview of how intelligence developed, just needed more modern content to truly be a full overview.
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4 people found this helpful
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- This guy
- 02-05-17
live learning history
makes you think a little more on what our inteligence agancies actualy do and how they do it
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Overall
- Scotty
- 01-23-06
Excellent
This is not an espionage or technical book, but a review of modern military history with a focus on intelligence. If you enjoy military history you will love this book.
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7 people found this helpful
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Performance
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- Al Williams
- 03-19-16
Puts military/naval intel in perspective
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes -- this is best book I've encountered that examines intel in perspective -- the contribution it can make and its limitations.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Intelligence in War?
The book examines a series of case studies illustrating where intel fits into the conduct of war. There are numerous practical examples, and the author gives the background that helps the reader understand his viewpoint.
Have you listened to any of Richard Matthews’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
No, I have not, however his rendering of this work was completely appropriate to the content.
What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?
Hard to choose: I knew the generalities underlying many of the case studies, but the author filled in so many blanks in my knowledge that it's difficult to choose one.
Any additional comments?
The comment that the book is mistitled is, in my opinion, incorrect. If what was expected was a complete history of the evolution of intelligence in warfare, this is, indeed, not it. On the other hand, if one reads the title as expressing a view of how intel fits into the "big picture" of fighting and winning or losing a war -- as I understood it -- the book gets an A+. To understand the point, one has to understand the context, and the author's detailed presentation of his research, reinforces his premise (whether I agree with it wholly or not) brilliantly. I would recommend the book to any student of the forces at work in the conduct of warfare, and the focus on specific examples throughout history gives his message power.
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Overall
- Fiona
- 08-30-04
Interesting, knowledgeable and well read
He using specific times in history to show the how intelligence impacted decisions. He shows how, in many cases, the impact of intelligence is overrated and that battle are won in the field.
The narrator is fine.
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3 people found this helpful
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Performance
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- Vejohn Torres
- 07-27-14
Essential for those Interested in Military History
Would you listen to Intelligence in War again? Why?
This book provides a gripping approach to the background and information surrounding famous campaign/battles. You don't always get all the information on the first listen, so listening to the audio book another time ensures you pick up all the facts.
What did you like best about this story?
The information is well researched, which make the conclusions drawn from this information legitimate and believable.
Which scene was your favorite?
My favorite parts were the two case studies on the WWII Battles of Crete and Midway. Both exemplify the limits and importance of intelligence in war.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
This is the type of book best done in parts. Since each battle/campaign has different key players, history, and background information, you need time to sit on the information you've taken in.
Any additional comments?
Great book for military history buffs!
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- James
- 02-13-15
Interesting read, well narrated.
Interesting perspective on intelligence and its relationship to war. Case studies were varied and supported Keegan's thesis well. Narration was excellent.
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Overall
- David
- 01-25-04
John Keegan does it again
Booklist calls Keegan "the most popular, and perhaps the best, contemporary writer of military history." I'd say he's one of the best contemporary writers of any genre, and a writer whose books belong on the shelves with the greatest writers of all time. Why? The extraordinary insight Keegan brings to his a very complex subject, matched, as is the case with all great stylists, a command of language equal to the task. Keegan is primarily an historian with no axes to grind but one who rather, in book after book, brings his axe (a jazz term for instrument) to providing a profound human understanding of a subject I had always thought boring until I picked my first JK book, The Face of Battle. This by now great classic looks at battle from the foot soldier's perspective (four different battles spanning over 1500 years) with the purpose of understanding, psychologically, behaviorally, historically, and, put it this way -- humanly -- what is going one in such scenarios of carnage and death. Intelligence in War: Knowledge of the Enemy from Napoleon to Al-Qaeda, is no less exceptional. Keegan takes on our age's mesmerizing fixation with intelligence and gives a stressed warning for those fighting al Qaeda to "shorten their swords" i.e, battles are won not by intelligence but by engaging (and in this case infiltrating) the enemy. Intelligence in War is all about the limits of intelligence in war as it spans in great and intriguing detail specific cases that illuminate given subsidiary points of the thesis.
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16 people found this helpful