Recommend me spy/espionage/hacking books please!

[Mont Blanc]

I haven't read much in a long time, but I recently read some books that interested me, enjoyed them, and am now wondering if anyone has any suggestions.

I do not read any fiction. I'm only interested in non-fiction and autobiography. What I have enjoyed reading is fairly niche to say the least:

Spy/MI6/CIA/Espionage/cold war/East Germany etc.
Computer hacking, Computer crime, and the history of the Internet.
Financial crime and financial crash stuff.

I have just read:

Rogue Trader - Nick Leeson (Written by the trader who bankrupt Barings Bank)
Ghost in the wires - Kevin Mitnick (a fantastic autobiography from a super-hacker)
Takedown - Tsutomu Shimomura (The other side of the story by the guy who caught hacker Kevin Mitnick)
Spycatcher - Peter Wright (Autobiography of an MI5/MI6 spy)
Wizards stay up late - Katie Lyons (Origins of the internet)
The best of 2600, A hacker odyssey - 2600
The Secret State - John Hughes
Too Big To Fail - Andrew Ross Sorkin (All about the 2008 financial crash)

Thanks

[Furbo]

I can offer no advice, sorry. But I, like you, read no fiction and am interested in the answers you receive.

[thetapeworm]

I keep meaning to pick this one up after listening to an episode of Darknet Diaries about him, it might be of interest...

Ira Winkler - Spies among Us

https://amzn.eu/d/efFZMa1

[Purosangue]

Mont Blanc said:

I haven't read much in a long time, but I recently read some books that interested me, enjoyed them, and am now wondering if anyone has any suggestions.

I do not read any fiction. I'm only interested in non-fiction and autobiography. What I have enjoyed reading is fairly niche to say the least:

Spy/MI6/CIA/Espionage/cold war/East Germany etc.
Computer hacking, Computer crime, and the history of the Internet.
Financial crime and financial crash stuff.

I have just read:

Rogue Trader - Nick Leeson (Written by the trader who bankrupt Barings Bank)
Ghost in the wires - Kevin Mitnick (a fantastic autobiography from a super-hacker)
Takedown - Tsutomu Shimomura (The other side of the story by the guy who caught hacker Kevin Mitnick)
Spycatcher - Peter Wright (Autobiography of an MI5/MI6 spy)
Wizards stay up late - Katie Lyons (Origins of the internet)
The best of 2600, A hacker odyssey - 2600
The Secret State - John Hughes
Too Big To Fail - Andrew Ross Sorkin (All about the 2008 financial crash)

Thanks

https://shop.nationalarchives.gov.uk/products/soldier-spy



Soldier Spy is the first true story told by an MI5 officer. A shocking, honest account revealing never-before-seen detail into MI5's operation. 'I do it because it is all I know. I'm a hunter of people and I'm damn good at it.' Bestselling author Tom Marcus is the first MI5 officer to tell the true story of British counter terrorism operations on our streets. Recruited after the 7/7 attacks on London, Tom quickly found himself immersed in the tense world of watching, following and infiltrating networks of terrorists, spies and foreign agents. It was a job that took over his life for months at a time and cost him dear, taking him to the limit of physical and mental endurance. Filled with extraordinary, searing accounts of operations that saved countless lives, Soldier Spy is the only authentic account by an ex-MI5 officer of the round-the-clock battle to keep this country's streets safe. 'Very well written, gives a startling amount of operational detail, the biggest shock of all - MI5 agreed to its publication' Sunday Times 'A blistering, visceral insight into life on the front line against terror, revealed in remarkable detail' Daily Telegraph' Startling, absolutely fascinating. A footsoldier's account out on the street. A vivid picture of surveillance' Midweek, Radio 4'Gripping. One of the most successful MI5 undercover surveillance

edit as its ph

just dont try " Steel Badge" without authority

Edited by Purosangue on Sunday 17th August 22:19

[entropy]

The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5 by Christopher Andrew

[Mont Blanc]

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

[kestonian]

Dark Wire by Joseph Cox

“The inside story of the largest law-enforcement sting operation ever, in which the FBI made its own tech start-up to wiretap the world, shows how cunning both the authorities and drug traffickers have become, with privacy implications for everyone. In 2018, a powerful app for secure communications called Anom took root among organized criminals. They believed Anom allowed them to conduct business in the shadows. Except for one thing: it was secretly run by the FBI”
- summary from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59644256-dark-...

[Mont Blanc]

kestonian said:

Dark Wire by Joseph Cox

“The inside story of the largest law-enforcement sting operation ever, in which the FBI made its own tech start-up to wiretap the world, shows how cunning both the authorities and drug traffickers have become, with privacy implications for everyone. In 2018, a powerful app for secure communications called Anom took root among organized criminals. They believed Anom allowed them to conduct business in the shadows. Except for one thing: it was secretly run by the FBI”
- summary from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59644256-dark-...

I’ve watched a documentary on that. It was an amazing story.

Didn’t know a book existed on it, so thanks for that.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Sandworm, about russian hackers.
Russians among us, about the illegals program and other long term spies.

[Salted_Peanut]

Mont Blanc said:

I’ve watched a documentary on that. It was an amazing story.

The documentary sounds interesting. What’s it called, and which channel was it shown on? Thanks!

[Austin Prefect]

The trouble with the spay/espionage genre is that non fiction authors are always tempted to fill in the inevitable gaps in research with sensational speculation, which is then reported by another author as a rumour, then by another as 'it is widely believed that' ETC ETC. On the other hand fiction authors (not including Ian Fleming in this) often get their ideas from real events. So the line is blurred.

[CypSIdders]

Their Trade is Treachery - Chapman Pincher

[CouncilFerrari]

It might not be along the theme you're looking for, but Edward Snowden's book Permanent Record is definitely worth a read. He walked the walk, and then paid the price when he 'went rogue'.

Soldier Spy as mentioned above is very interesting. I was surprised it was passed by MI5.

Fishers of Men by Rob Lewis is very good. It's about the Force Research Unit, the HUMINT operators who recruited and ran informants in Northern Ireland during the troubles.

Edited by CouncilFerrari on Saturday 30th August 15:30

[Tango13]

Ben Macintyre has written a few...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spy-Traitor-Greatest-Espi...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Operation-Mincemeat-Story...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Double-Cross-Story-D-Day-...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Agent-Sonya-Lover-Mother-...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Agent-Zigzag-Wartime-Chap...

[Mont Blanc]

Salted_Peanut said:

Mont Blanc said:

I’ve watched a documentary on that. It was an amazing story.

The documentary sounds interesting. What’s it called, and which channel was it shown on? Thanks!

There you go:



Many of the Fern documentaries are excellent.

[White-Noise]

As mentioned above I really enjoyed Edward snowdens book. My copy is actually for sale on eBay as it happens

[Mont Blanc]

White-Noise said:

As mentioned above I really enjoyed Edward snowdens book. My copy is actually for sale on eBay as it happens

That is the sort of thing I would enjoy.

I'll shall have a look.

[C69]

Mont Blanc said:

Financial crime and financial crash stuff.

The Big Short by Michael Lewis could be of interest to you. Worth reading, even if you've seen the excellent film adaptation.

[duncancallum]

A spy among friends is excellent.

The gary ecomoics book starts very well ands worth a read.

[Mont Blanc]

C69 said:

Mont Blanc said:

Financial crime and financial crash stuff.

The Big Short by Michael Lewis could be of interest to you. Worth reading, even if you've seen the excellent film adaptation.

That is on my list to read actually! I love the film, and someone else told me that it was great book.