Classified: Secrecy and the State in Modern Britain
Author(s): Christopher Moran (Author)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication Date: 13 Dec. 2012
Edition: New
Language: English
Print length: 449 pages
ISBN-10: 1107000998
ISBN-13: 9781107000995
Book Description
Classified is a fascinating account of the British state’s long obsession with secrecy and the ways it sought to prevent information about its secret activities from entering the public domain. Drawing on recently declassified documents, unpublished correspondence and exclusive interviews with key officials and journalists, Christopher Moran pays particular attention to the ways that the press and memoirs have been managed by politicians and spies. He argues that, by the 1960s, governments had become so concerned with their inability to keep secrets that they increasingly sought to offset damaging leaks with their own micro-managed publications. The book reveals new insights into seminal episodes in British post-war history, including the Suez crisis, the D-Notice Affair and the treachery of the Cambridge spies, identifying a new era of offensive information management, and putting the contemporary battle between secret-keepers, electronic media and digital whistle-blowers into long-term perspective.
Editorial Reviews
Review
‘A fascinating study of how a long established democracy deals with the persistent conundrum of government secrecy in an open society. Essential reading for students of intelligence accountability, and especially timely given the current international discussion of leaks and information security.’ David Robarge, Chief Historian, Central Intelligence Agency
‘Traditionally, people have preferred to feel, rather than to know, about the rights and wrongs of state secrecy in Britain. In his highly readable book, Classified, Dr Moran does the truth great service by exploring with fair objectivity the difficult middle ground in a revealing series of milestone case studies. Wherever one chooses to stand on this thorny, arcane, contentious and fascinating issue, Moran’s book will certainly leave its readers far better informed.’ Andrew Vallance, Secretary, ‘D Notice’ Committee
‘A fascinating and timely account of how successive British governments have viewed official secrets and the sometimes extraordinary measures they have taken to protect them. Dr Moran puts into clear perspective how those views of secrecy have evolved through the years including use of the D Notice, a measure often viewed with envy by bureaucrats in Washington. A valuable contribution to the study of government secrecy, Dr Moran’s work will enhance the reader’s grasp of the fundamental issues raised.’ Peter Earnest, Executive Director, International Spy Museum, Washington, DC
‘Moran tells these stories … with a historian’s care, but also with a real flair for narrative … authoritative but hugely readable …’ Reader’s Digest
‘This is a well-researched and fascinating book …’ The Guardian
‘Deeply researched and wonderfully informative …’ New Statesman
‘… this is a well-researched and well-written book that is a worthy contribution to our understanding of government secrecy. The lessons this book draws from the postwar period are every bit as resonant today as they were in their time: the extent to which the public is left to trust its government to act on its behalf and to impinge on their liberties for the greater good is a key and fluid element of our social contract. All those interested in this question should seek out Moran’s book and its lessons from history.’ International Affairs
Book Description
Fascinating account of the British state’s post-war obsession with secrecy and the ways it prevented secret activities from becoming public.
About the Author
Christopher Moran is a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick. His previous publications include Spooked: Britain, Empire and Intelligence (as co-editor, 2009).
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