Victoria's Spymasters: Empire and Espionage

More about the book

Focusing on five notable English intelligence officers from 1870 to 1918, this meticulously researched book delves into the world of Victorian espionage. It draws from rare sources, including memoirs and police archives, to provide a detailed sequel to Wade's earlier work. The narrative explores the social and political backdrop of spying during the Anglo-Boer wars and presents in-depth biographies of figures like William Melville and Sir John Ardagh. The book highlights the challenges faced by early intelligence operatives as they navigated a complex landscape of bias and misunderstanding.