Intelligence How to Think in Complex Environments fills a void in the existing literature on contemporary warfare by examining the theoretical and conceptual foundations of effective modern intelligence analysis—the type of analysis needed to support military operations in modern, complex operational environments. This volume is an expert guide for rethinking intelligence analysis and understanding the true nature of the operational environment, adversaries, and most importantly, the populace.
Intelligence Analysis proposes substantive improvements in the way the U.S. national security system interprets intelligence, drawing on the groundbreaking work of theorists ranging from Carl von Clauswitz and Sun Tzu to M. Mitchell Waldrop, General David Petraeus, Richards Heuer, Jr., Orson Scott Card, and others. The new ideas presented here will help the nation to amass a formidable, cumulative intelligence power, with distinct advantages over any and all adversaries of the future regardless of the level of war or type of operational environment.
A wide array of very good content -- probably the only book that compiles all these subjects in one place. But repetitive and poorly edited. Should probably be half as long as it is.
Note: I read this book as part of the curriculum for the Advanced Analysis Course that is directed by Gen. Hall.
This was difficult to read for two reasons. One, its unnecessarily written like a text book or technical document. Two, if you are an analyst and have been for a number of years, this book is dated. Meaning, all the "revolutionary" thoughts on intelligence in the book have already been accomplished; and not in any way how the author thought they would. It took me a very ling time to read this one. I found in later chapters the author reaffirming earlier points, to a fault. If you are interested in intelligence books, check out others I have reviewed on my bookshelves. I would not recommend this. The only reason this book would be needed is if you viewed the contents and wanted to learn more about a specific chapter or part of the contents. Reading this whole book is silly, because its not even relevant. I think it was in the late 90s and early 2000s, but the author is so far off the mark is laughable. A final thought, the points the author makes are simple conclusions intelligence would have made anyway through practice and trail and error. The idea we need a native culture expert is presented as revolutionary, really thats just common sense.
Despite some interesting bits here and there, this book seemed full of truisms and trivialities and, occasionally, outright woo. I can't say I learned all that much of substance.