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The Secret State: Preparing For The Worst 1945 - 2010

Author: Peter Hennessy
Publisher: Penguin
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

4 reviews
Sales Rank: 1639

Media: Paperback
Pages: 528
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.1

ISBN: 0141044691
EAN: 9780141044699
ASIN: 0141044691

Publication Date: July 1, 2010
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Presents the picture of the Soviet threat that was presented to ministers from the last days of the Second World War to the 1960s. This title maps the size and shape of the Cold War state built in response to that perceived threat. It explores the threats presented by the IRA and radical Islamic terrorists post 9/11.

Customer Reviews:
5 out of 5 stars

What every thinking voter should bear in mind when supporting a leader August 30, 2010
Roy Francis (South Wales)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is a fascinating, authoritative insight into what motivated our leaders and their advisers especially with regard to nuclear weapons. Very, very scary in places. Sometimes driven by a desire o punch above our weight, to sit at the top table on equal terms with USA & USSR. This slowly gives way to reality, and if we didn't have 'The Bomb' we certainly would not develop it.
I have not yet finished this wonderful book, but even what I have read will influence my political thinking for years to come.

3 out of 5 stars

a bit wooden and not really worth a whole book August 19, 2010
Mj Oldfield (norfolk uk)
0 out of 5 found this review helpful

could have been a mag article not a book so boring in part so chilling also

2 out of 5 stars

Too academic August 4, 2010
T Molloy
5 out of 12 found this review helpful

This promised to be an interesting and insightful perspective of the secret activities of the state during the Cold War. It is certainly factual and insightful, however the text is far too academic for general reading. It is in fact more akin to a thesis or dissertation - that it has three seperate introductions worried me, but when during the first chapter I was continually referred to later chapters (i.e. "more of which will be explained in chapter 4" I really began to dispair. A valued and thorough academic has clearly written this, however as a result it also often becomes mired in important, painstaking yet I am afraid to admit tiresome, detail. I would could not recommend this book to a general reader. That said, to somebody with a specialist interest it would be valuable. The Secret State: Preparing For The Worst 1945 - 2010

5 out of 5 stars

A very comprehensive look at UK security since the war. July 12, 2010
Big Jim (London, UK)
26 out of 27 found this review helpful

Many people will have read this volume in its previous incarnation but as Mr Hennessy has added a significant amount of more up to date information since first publication, this is well worth getting even if you fall in that camp. If you haven't read this before it is obviously even more worth getting as it gives a detailed acount of British security since the second world war, with the new information adding to that of the cold war years. It chronicles many of the successes and failures, some of the humerous anecdotes and horror stories and generally much of the minutiae that goes into securing the security of the realm. For example were you aware that the prime minister of the day has to hand write instructions of when to "push the button" for our nuclear submarines which are held on board each craft. Apparently there is still at least one ship still at sea with instructions from Gordon Brown, that David Cameron will have to update on its arrival back in the UK!
What could have been a dull trawl through the archives is brought to life by the authors pithy style which makes this an enthralling and very interesting read

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