Us Intelligence at the Crossroads (Brassey's Intelligence and National Security Library) [Hardcover]

Roy Godson (Editor), Gary James Schmitt (Editor), Ernest May (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

These 18 essays are generated by a working group on intelligence reform established in 1992 by the Consortium for the Study of Intelligence, a specialists' forum. Ranging widely, the pieces collectively examine the intelligence community's basic roles, missions and methods of operation. They also propose new ways of thinking about intelligence and how it can better serve the needs of national security. Robert Kohler inquires into the importance of satellite reconnaissance; Roy Godson argues that covert action is likely to remain a controversial instrument of government policy; Henry Rowen introduces the concept of a "market" for intelligence; Randall Fort discusses clandestine acquisition of economic, financial and trade information by official intelligence methods and asks whether it should be shared with the private sector. By high-ranking and former intelligence officials and scholars, these essays will be of more interest to specialists than to general readers.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Brassey's UK Ltd (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574880365
• ISBN-13: 978-1574880366
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,291,260 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Original Contributions to Intelligence Reform Dialog, January 3, 2003

By 

Robert D. Steele (Oakton, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Us Intelligence at the Crossroads (Brassey's Intelligence and National Security Library) (Hardcover)

I stumbled across the reviews of this book by chance, and was quite stunned to see what almost appears to be an orchestrated trashing of what I regard as a useful barometer of informed professional opinion.

Yes, some of the authors and some of the views of the authors are relatively conventional, but by and large I am not only quite pleased to have this book in my library, I find that the thoughts of Jennifer Sims, Douglas MacEachin, and Robert Kohler, and Britt Snider, to name just four--I like the others as well--are as essential a starting point for reform as the more radical ideas of myself, Senator Shelby, Senator Rudman, or others.

Bottom line: Roy Godson and these people have been troubled by intelligence ineffectiveness, and have done more than most to publish in this arena, than anyone else I know. This book is not the end all, but it is a vital historical reference point for any serious professional. I would not reprint it, but I would certainly recommend it as a used book acquisition, and I hope that a new set of authors comes together to provide a 21st Century "second look" in the aftermath of 9-11. In the meantime, I would point folks toward Godson's "Dirty Tricks or Trump Cards," Allen's "None So Blind," and Zegart's "Flawed by Design," inter alia. If you want a list of my top 20 recommended books, send me an email.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars "Intelligence Guys Are Us" and Without Original Thought, June 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Us Intelligence at the Crossroads (Brassey's Intelligence and National Security Library) (Hardcover)

Insightless read for even current civilian, military intelligence or academia. All of the authors are FORMER intelligence officials, and as the saying goes-even if you reshuffel a deck of card, the same cards, or in this case, the same thoughts will remain. This book speaks out for only one clear reform-new blood in the United States and Allied Nations Intelligence Services. Can the authors all say- "original thought"? I think not.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars National Security with Dust. Good history but DOA, May 27, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Wash, D.C. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Us Intelligence at the Crossroads (Brassey's Intelligence and National Security Library) (Hardcover)

Roy and Ernie-professors of intelligence think the Cold War is raging, and given the sorry refocus they provide for even the Intelligence professional, this book is not going to help anyone in understanding how the U.S. Intel Services can best redistribute there efforts.

Don't try this one unless you are a student of the Intelligence process. And, if you are under 50 with your brain one line, you will quickly see these Cold Warriors sre simply trying to reinvent theselves. While the Soviet Dragon was slain at the end of the Cold War, the authors claim the rather harmless snakes in the grass are just that. Enter Saddam. These snakes have grown legs and are dangerous. Fossil-write will note solve current national security problems.