Author(s): I. C. Smith (Author), Nigel West (Author)
Publisher: Scarecrow Press (UK)
Publication Date: 4 May 2012
Language: English
Print length: 392 pages
ISBN-10: 0810871742
ISBN-13: 9780810871748
Book Description
Although China’s intelligence activities may not have been well documented, they can be traced back to the ancient writings of Sun Tzu, and espionage has been a characteristic of Chinese domestic politics and international relations ever since. The People’s Republic of China has long engaged in espionage, but relatively little is known about Chinese techniques, methodology, personnel, and organizations in comparison with what the West has learned about other more conventional intelligence agencies that conduct operations across the world. Whereas most intelligence services have suffered damaging defections, the number of Ministry of State Security professionals who have switched sides is relatively small, further limiting outside knowledge.
The Historical Dictionary of Chinese Intelligence covers the history of Chinese Intelligence from 400 B.C. to modern times. This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, an extensive bibliography, and an index. The dictionary section has over 400 cross-referenced entries on the agencies and agents, the operations and equipment, the tradecraft and jargon, and many of the countries involved. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Chinese Intelligence.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Suitable for the reference collections of academic and large public libraries, along with specialized collections in intelligence, political science, or Chinese history.
The present volume has been written jointly by a former FBI officer specializing in Chinese intelligence, and a well-known British writer on intelligence matters. They have provided about 370 articles, ranging in length from 30 to over 3,000 words….The dictionary offers extensive quotations from an MI5 briefing to British companies on the dangers of Chinese espionage.
This title’s chronology mirrors its focus: one page covers 400 BCE (Sun Tzu) to CE 1913, whereas information on the 20th century occupies eight pages, and the 21st, two. The fascinating introduction contrasts Soviet and Western styles of espionage with the fundamentally different Chinese style….This volume compiles an impressive amount of data.
About the Author
I.C. Smith was one of the top investigators with the FBI for some 25 years working in Chinese counter-intelligence. In 1980 he was promoted to the FBI’s Senior Executive Service and appointed the State Department’s Chief of Investigations, Counterintelligence Programs, and Diplomatic Security. He then entered the FBI’s National Security Division and was Section Chief for Analysis, Budget and Training, responsible for liaison with foreign intelligence and security agencies and represented the FBI in the U.S. Intelligence Community and on the National Foreign Intelligence Board. Since retirement in 1998 he lectures at the Joint Counterintelligence Training Academy, the Office of the Counterintelligence Executive, and testified before the U.S. China Commission on the intelligence threat of the PRC.
Nigel West was voted ‘the experts’ expert’ bya panel of spy-writers assembled by the Observer in 1986; and was the recipient of the U.S Association of Former Intelligence Officers first Lifetime Literature Achievement Award.
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