In this compelling investigation, author Michael Smith explores the critical moment in a spy's life: that split-second decision to embrace a double life; to cheat and hide and hurt; to risk disgrace - even death - without any guarantee of being rewarded or even recognised. Each chapter centres on a number of different spies, following the path they took that led, finally, to the point of no return. Were they propelled by personal convictions? Blackmailed and left without a choice? Too desperate for money to think about the consequences? Through in-depth insider knowledge, Michael Smith also uncovers new and unknown cases, including a spy inside ISIS, President Trump's links with Russia and Edward Snowden's role as a whistle-blower, to offer compelling psychological portraits of these men and women, homing unerringly on the fault-lines and shady corners of their characters, their weaknesses and their strengths, the lies they tell other people, and the lies they always end up telling themselves.

About the Author
MICHAEL SMITH is a best-selling author, who spent a decade in military intelligence before becoming an award-winning journalist for the BBC, the Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Times. Smith is the author of a number of books, including The Secrets of Station X, Killer Elite and Foley: The Spy Who Saved 10,000 Jews. He is a visiting fellow at Kellogg College, Oxford.

Reviews
'There are very few ex-intelligence officers who know their stuff better than Michael Smith. If you're want to know why spies put their lives in danger, this is the book for you.' -- Andy McNab
'Definitely an essential handbook for the layman as well as the molehunter and counter-intelligence professional.' -- Nigel West
"A forensic, enthralling, and extremely accurate analysis of what motivates spies. Bags of history. Bags of intrigue. The Anatomy of a Spy is an unprecedented and instant classic." -- Matthew Dunn, former MI6 officer and author of the Spycatcher series and Ben Sign series.
"A wide-ranging survey of the reasons why people spy which mixes the familiar with the less well-known , corrects numerous myths and provides many new insights by a master intelligence expert." -- Andrew Lownie, author of Stalin's Englishman



Book Information
ISBN 9780750992572
Author Michael Smith
Format Paperback
Imprint The History Press Ltd
Publisher The History Press Ltd