The Clandestine Lives of Colonel David Smiley - (Intelligence, Surveillance and Secret Warfare) by Clive Jones (Paperback)

About the Book

Drawing on extensive interviews and archival research, this biography uncovers the motivations and ideals that informed Smiley's commitment to covert action and intelligence during the Second World War and early part of the Cold War, often among tribally based societies.

Book Synopsis

Drawing on extensive interviews and archival research, this biography uncovers the motivations and ideals that informed Smiley's commitment to covert action and intelligence during the Second World War and early part of the Cold War, often among tribally based societies.

From the Back Cover

'Clive Jones' life and times of David Smiley is a wonderful book. It is hugely entertaining and engaging, as well as an impressive piece of scholarship and historical detective work. A fitting biography for one of the true legends of British covert military operations during the twentieth century.' Rory Miller, Georgetown University Qatar An academic biography of Colonel David de Crespigny Smiley and his intimate involvement in clandestine operations of the British secret service This book illuminates the shadowy world of covert British intelligence through an exploration of the life of one of Britain's foremost exponents of irregular warfare. With a particular focus on operations in the Balkans and the Middle East, it offers a granular understanding of the motivations and ideals that informed Smiley's commitment to covert action and intelligence, both during the Second World War and in the early Cold War era. Through extensive use of primary sources, including exclusive interviews with Colonel Smiley, his family and a number of key associates, Clive Jones crafts a detailed study of a man who proudly operated in the shadows for his country, while also addressing the wider issues of morality, accountability and control of clandestine operations. Clive Jones is Chair in Regional Security (Middle East) at Durham University and Visiting Research Professor in the Department of Historical Studies, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway. Cover image and design: www.richardbudddesign.co.uk [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com ISBN 978-1-4744-4115-5 Barcode

Review Quotes

Clive Jones has written a fascinating account of a regular/irregular soldier who was involved with some of the key British special operations in the Balkans and Arabia from 1943 to 1968. Smiley, with his obvious code-name 'Grin', was a no-nonsense man, who was modest about his remarkable exploits in the best tradition of the British Army.--Saul Kelly, King's College, London "Middle Eastern Studies"

Clive Jones' life and times of David Smiley is a wonderful book. It is hugely entertaining and engaging, as well as an impressive piece of scholarship and historical detective work. A fitting biography for one of the true legends of British covert military operations during the 20th century.-- "Rory Miller, Georgetown University Qatar"

The book has been meticulously researched; there is not a superfluous word. It is weighty without being ponderous. The author did have quality source material with twenty hours of interview with Smiley and his family. It is a ripping yarn from start to finish about a genuine one hundred per cent Boys' Own hero.--Peter Sichel "The Journal of the Sultan's of Oman Armed Forces Journal"

This brilliant and highly readable biography portrays a man, who despite his modesty, achieved so much, not least in Oman, a country he frequently visited in his later years.--Noel Brehony "The Anglo-Omani Society Review 2020"

About the Author

Clive Jones is Professor of Regional Security (Middle East) in the School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University and Visiting Research Professor in the Department of Historical Studies, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, he has published widely on the history and politics of the Middle East with a particular focus on Israel/Palestine and the Gulf. His book Britain and the Yemen Civil War (Sussex Academic Press, 2010) was the subject of a BBC documentary.