How Spies Think

Ten Lessons in Intelligence

By: David Omand

Narrated by: David Omand

Brought to you by Penguin.

From the former director of GCHQ, learn the methodology used by the British intelligence agencies to reach judgements, establish the right level of confidence and act decisively.

Intelligence officers discern the truth. They gather information - often contradictory or incomplete - and, with it, they build the most accurate possible image of the world. With the stakes at their absolute highest, they must then decide what to do.

In everyday life, you are faced with contradictory, incomplete information, too. Reading the news on social media, figuring out the next step in your career, or trying to discover if gossip about a friend is legitimate, you are building an image of the world and making decisions about it.

Looking through the eyes of one of Britain's most senior ex-intelligence officers, Professor Sir David Omand, How Spies Think shows how the big decisions in your life will be easier to make when you apply the same frameworks used by British intelligence. Full of revealing examples from his storied career, including key briefings with prime ministers from Thatcher to Blair, and conflicts from the Falklands to Afghanistan, Professor Omand arms us with the tools to sort fact from fiction and shows us how to use real intelligence every day.

©2020 David Omand (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"One of the best books ever written about intelligence analysis and its long-term lessons. Brilliant, lucid and thought-provoking." (Christopher Andrew, author of The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5)

Full of valuable insights

Critical resource for understanding human behavior & motivation with in the complexities of a modern society.

How WESTERN spies think

If you like reading the Economist, you’ll find more of the same here: Russia bad, China bad, Trump bad. Everyone is maliciously influencing the public but the pure and saint UK intelligence.

Great read

Captivating. I enjoyed the book very much.

Although familiar with the SEES model, the author does a fantastic job explaining it.

The last three chapters ruined the read substantially. David Omand seems to engage in exactly the sorts of flawed thinking practices he warns against. For this reason it gets 3 stars from me.

It’s a thought provoking book and I highly recommend it.

Great insights, however…

I enjoyed the book, however the author insisted upon ignoring his own advice about remaining politically neutral.

Great content, bad narration

Good content about intelligence analysis from a UK perspective. Unfortunately, the narrator puts a downward intonation on every sentence, leaving the last half of every phrase a gravelly mumble. I prefer clear and understandable narration over dramatic sounding readings.

Present surprise.

What really struck me was the application of historical references to applications in todays digital age minefield. Active measures to muddy the political waters by a foreign actor is not surprising but still very dangerous because they are so effective. The point people, no matter who, are very susceptible to misinformation and misdirection by those intent on influencing is well driven home. The realization of Americans applying active measures against Americans is utterly frightening examples in this book are excellent. This is a good read and timely.

Mainly for Intelligence and Cyber interested profs

Good book on how intelligence, cyber and subversion threats has been handled in the past, are being in present and perhaps can be handled in future.
Many historical references with links to the present.
Absolutely worth reading, though... It is not a book for the ordinary reader of spy-novels, but mainly for readers with pre-existing interests in and understanding of the intelligence and Cyber communities.

Retired now, it did bring back some good memories.

Well put together and enjoyable to follow along with. Will be adding additional Oman’s books to my list.