Too Secret Too Long

by Chapman Pincher

The most powerful, infuriating, heartbreaking book ever published about spies . The man, Roger Hollis, worked in British Intelligence for 27 years, and for nine of them he was head of M15-which meant he was Britain's equivalent of J. Edgar Hoover. The woman, known as Sonia, was a Soviet master-agent for decades-and she still alive.

Genres: History, Espionage, Historical, Nonfiction

638 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1984

About the author

Harry Chapman Pincher was an Indian-born British journalist, historian, and novelist whose writing mainly focused on espionage and related matters, after some early books on scientific subjects.

Harry Chapman Pincher was born in India in 1914 while his father was serving in the British Army. After moving to Great Britain, Chapman Pincher studied first at Darlington Grammar School and then King's College London before entering the teaching profession. He served in the Ministry of Supply during the Second World War and then embarked upon a lengthy and successful career in journalism, joining the Daily Express as a science and defence correspondent. Famed for his exposés, he was regarded as one of the finest investigative reporters of the twentieth century. Chapman Pincher penned a number of books both non-fiction and fiction and was the author of the notorious Their Trade is Treachery. Prior to his death he lived in West Berkshire with his wife, Billee.

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follows on from the explosive revelations found in Pincher's previous work: 'Their Trade is Treachery'.

Should you be at all interested in the 'real-world' of espionage then at some point in your reading I would suggest you pick this up.

If you do so, be most aware: this is, I feel, written well, but not what one can describe as easy reading. It is a detailed analysis based upon what must have been years of laborious research - a weighty account that demands a concentrated mind. Difficult to put down, but in honesty I had to put it down at regular intervals: one hour with this was followed by tea, biscuits and tinkering in the garden whilst reflecting upon the 'state of the nation'.

Within you will find repeated reference to those known to be and those HIGHLY suspected of being traitors of the free-world, of the nation, of those paying their wages - the tax-paying public. And, the treachery does not stop at door of the intelligence agencies, it continues in Whitehall, Westminster and the very heart of our government.

I have no tribal allegiance to any one political party; at this time I shudder at the thought of our current leader, but he is our leader and if you are a public servant, being paid from the public purse, when you make a report that will be seen by the current leader or those who serve him, you damn-well tell the truth or you are just as treacherous as those giving secrets to the enemy. If the current leader then decides to cover it up, so be it. But you are simply a traitor to the nation if you hide the truth.

Personally I believe, the book 'Their Trade is Treachery' should have been titled 'Too Secret Too Long' and this book, 'Too Secret Too Long' should have been titled, 'Their Trade is Treachery'.
The treachery within the 'halls of power' is more than equal to the treachery in the corridors trodden by the spies (intelligence officers).

This revelation deals with matters from before the second war up until the mid eighties, but, without doubt, and this book insists as much - little has changed and those charged with caring for this nation are as afraid of their own shadow, now, as they have ever been.

I thank Mr Pincher for putting this out there: I feel privileged to have an opportunity to read it (I live in a free and democratic society), but with all that, I am saddened by it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This continues on from 'Their Trade is Treachery': all still, most interesting.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

To follow on from my last read: Their Trade is Treachery.

Mr Pincher deserves a medal.

[Gisela · Rating 3 out of 5]

While accepting the many wheels that must urn within 'the establishment' and how it must be almost impossible, if not impossible, to keep check on the spinners, I'm taken aback by the extent at which the security surrounding those in power was/is so lax.

This is definitely a worthwhile read.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite incredible. A great insight into the murky side of politics.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, full of revelations and written by an impassioned hand.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read "Too Secret Too Long" when I was approximately 15 years old.

This is closest to the real world of spies as you can get.

The 1940s were the beginning foundation of spies living domestically, that is, spies living under an assumed marriage for deep- cover projects.

This kind of spy activity has continued to be "unearthed" since the late 1980s, when Russians and Mexicans were posing as American citizens, only to be "made", upon the government discovering their fake marriage certificates, along with their plans to infiltrate databases.

[Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compulsive reading. Chapman Pincher, a senior leet Street journalist spent more than 30 years digging down deep and dirty into the scret world of British Intelligence which or many years turned out to have been run from Moscow.
Unputdownable

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a journey into the secretive world of espionage and intelligence, where the line between fact and fiction blurs. Pincher's research and insider perspective offer readers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of intelligence agencies, covert operations, and the web of intrigue that characterizes the Cold War era. The book leaves no stone unturned, uncovering both the triumphs and scandals of the intelligence community. With a narrative that reads like a compelling spy novel, it's a must-read for anyone fascinated by the hidden machinations of international espionage and the complex individuals who navigate this shadowy world. Pincher's work stands as a testament to the enduring allure and ambiguity of the espionage trade, leaving readers captivated and questioning the boundaries of secrecy and transparency.

[Gonzaga Escauriaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

muy interesante aunqye un poco largo. demasiados detalles.
Pero es verdad que hace un resumen de el circulo de CAmbridge y de todos los espias, principalmente, de los de la segunda guerra mundial.
Y además señala con muchos datos a Roger Hollis, que yo también creo que era un espia ruso.
Lo demás no se explica como pudieron salvarse Mc Lean y Burgess y tantos otros.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly gripping and at the same time gob-smacking. Although one might suspect the author is intent on making a solid case answer some might say some of his evidence can be questioned, this does leave one wondering how our security-services could have been hoodwinked so often and so easily and then ignore the warnings being shouted from the rooftops. One must wonder if along the way certain people were more interested in protection reputations than exposing the failures.

[Mark Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

More readable than the previous book I read...

[Nick Morton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather a long repetitive account of espionage within the security services.

[Sarthak Bhatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The starting is very slow but after chapter 18 the book gets very good all chapters on the magnificent 5 are very well written. After reading this book i am sure that either Roger Hollis was the most inept spy of the cold war or the greatest.