Under Every Leaf: How Britain played the Greater Game from Afghanistan to Africa

by William Beaver

'Anywhere in the world, where a leaf moves, underneath you will find an Englishman.'- Farsi proverb Much has been written about espionage, secret agents and MI6 missions abroad but what of the origins of British Intelligence as we know it today? This is the story of intelligence at the height of the British Empire and the characters that shaped its narrative. William Beaver delves into the mysterious Intelligence Division of the War Office, whose shrewd observations and analysis of international events provided the basis for modern military espionage and changed the landscape of the British Empire from India to South Africa. Focusing on the years between the Crimean War and the formation of MI5 and MI6 at the start of the twentieth century, Beaver charts the Intelligence Division's course from a misunderstood army unit to an elite body central to the British military. Under Every Leaf is a rollicking adventure into the minds behind the muscle of the British Army their successes, sacrifices and expertise in weaving a global net of information.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

340 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Ken Hamner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting read.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

As fascinating companion to any reading of British history through the 19th century, for example Heaven's Command by Jan Morris.

Through the lens of the evolving intelligence service, we get a fresh take on events in India, Middle East and especially relations with Russia. Where other books can inform us of what happened, here we glimpse much more of why and how from a behind the scenes and more strategic perspective.

The book appears thoroughly well researched, and only able to bring new facts to light now because many of the source materials were previously unavailable to most historians.

And unfortunately for the book, it's readers and history, those sources turn out to have definite limits. As the author admits, there remains much that cannot and will never be known.

I felt this particularly in relation to operational details. There are delicious hints towards an evolving operational capability in espionage and counter-espionage - a highlight in the 'dirty tricks' category being falsely identifying a "person of interest" as a wanted criminal and leaking this to the press in order to keep them out of the country. However it is sadly rare that we get to find out much more than what was summarized in a diary or report that somehow survived successive purges of secret and sensitive materials.

[Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

The concept sounded better than the real thing turned out to be. The first few chapters at least are dry as a bone, focusing on a seemingly interminable series of bureaucratic turf wars, without even the satisfaction of really understanding why those turned out the way they did - never thought I'd want more rather than less detail of administrative infighting, but if the subject was to be covered at all it would have been better to go the whole hog.

[Leslie Yong · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite an interesting book though, full of personal records and dates and events in British history. Quite concise and extravagant in research. Thus it can be quite dull and boring for general reading.
However it should be very interesting and informative for those who are looking or reading on past history on the setting and development of the present security settings (MI5& MI6..)

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK. Not. For. Everyone. But if you are curious about the Victorian military and foreign policy milieu, this little tome is fascinating. Beaver is a clear historian and a fine storyteller. If 19th Century English history grabs you, spend a few hours with Beaver. He will not disappoint.