This is the first volume of Nigel West's acclaimed presentation of these fascinating diaries from the heart of Britain's Second World War intelligence operations.

'No intelligence buff can be without this volume and anyone interested in British twentieth century history needs it too.'

M.R.D. Foot, The Spectator

'Regarded by historians as the most important military intelligence documents from the whole of the Second World War.'

Irish Independent

'[A] unique insight into the espionage secrets of the Second World War. Its historical importance is enhanced by the editing of Nigel West who, apart from decoding several obscure references to the secret war, persuaded the Security Service to break their rule of maintaining an agent's anonymity.'

BBC History Magazine

WALLFLOWERS is the codename given to one of the Security Service's most treasured possessions, the daily journal dictated from August 1939 to June 1945 by MI5's Director of Counter Espionage, Guy Liddell, to his secretary, Margo Huggins. The document was considered so highly classified that it was retained in the safe of successive Directors General, and special permission was required to read it.

No other member of the Security Service is known to have maintained a diary and the twelve volumes of this journal represent a unique record of the events and personalities of the period, a veritable tour d'horizon of the entire subject. As Director, B Division, Liddell supervised all the major pre-war and wartime espionage investigations, maintained a watch on suspected pro-Nazis and laid the foundations of the famous 'double cross system' of enemy double agents. He was unquestionably one of the most reclusive and remarkable men of his generation, and a legend within his own organization.

About the Author

Nigel West is a military historian specialising in security and intelligence topics. He lectures at the Centre for Counterintelligence and Security Studies in Washington DC and is the European editor of the World Intelligence Review. In 1989 he was elected 'The Experts' Expert' by the Observer and in 2003 he was the recipient of the US Association of Former Intelligence Officers' Lifetime Literature Achievement Award.

Reviews

'The explosive secret diaries of Guy Liddell, MI5's wartime counter-espionage chief.' - Sunday Express

'[a] unique insight into the espionage secrets of the Second World War by a major player ... its historical importance is enhanced by the editing of Nigel West.' - BBC History Magazine

'It is a major contribution to the Intelligence history of that war.' - Sunday Telegraph

'...now, for the first time, an extraordinary new book has lifted the lid on Ireland's secret war and revealed how - behind the facade of neutrality - the Irish Government was actually working hand-in glove with the Allies.' - Ireland on Sunday

'This book is a goldmine of once highly secret intelligence material ... no intelligence buff can be without this volume and anyone interested in British twentieth century history needs it too.' - The Spectator

'Regarded by historians as the most important military intelligence documents from the whole of the second world war.' - Irish Independent

'[A] unique insight into the espionage secrets of the Second World War. Its historical importance is enhanced by the editing of Nigel West who, apart from decoding several obscure references to the secret war, persuaded the Security Service to break their rule of maintaining an agent's anonymity.' - BBC History Magazine

'It is a major contribution to the Intelligence history of that war.' - Sunday Telegraph

Book Information
ISBN 9780415352130
Author Nigel West
Format Hardback
Page Count 348
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 800g