To Catch a Spy

Tim Tate unpicks the fascinating complexity of the Spycatcher affair. In a wilderness of mirrors, the worst betrayal was in Number 10. * Honourable Malcolm Turnbull *
Tim Tate reveals an extraordinary tale of spying scandals, mixed with Government skulduggery, which spiralled out of control and turned into a prolonged and very English farce. * Rt. Hon. Neil (Lord) Kinnock, former leader of Labour Party (1983–1992) *
Tate lifts the lid on one of the most controversial periods of MI5’s history, an era when MI5 sought to silence its very own spycatcher. * Dr Helen Fry, author of Women in Intelligence *
Researched like an intelligence officer, argued like a barrister, and as engaging and intriguing as a Le Carré, Tate presents a critical and compelling analysis which makes for both a fascinating and disturbing portrayal of how a government treated truth, justice, and public accountability with disdain. * Simon Ball, International Association For Intelligence Education European Chapter *
Tim Tate uses hitherto unpublished court evidence and withheld official files to charge the Thatcher government with deception * Country Life *
What a story it is … I’m grateful to Mr Tate for reminding us of this important and occasionally comic episode. * Lobster *
An enthralling account of the paranoias of Cold War Britain. * Nick Cohen *
Impressive and well sourced account. * Literary Review *
Tate appraises this abundant material in an even way and initiates readers into the arcana of cabinet government. He writes with commanding authority and draws conclusions about state secrecy that seem irrefutable. He is inexorable. * Times Literary Supplement *
Cogently and comprehensively lays out the inconsistency, duplicity, stubbornness, and shortsightedness of London’s wasteful and futile effort to suppress Wright’s book ….Tate’s book makes easy reading, as he has the documentarian’s narrative flair for clear prose and teasers and grabbers to close and open successive chapters * Studies in Intelligence *

Tim Tate is a multi-award-winning documentary film-maker, investigative journalist and best-selling author. Over a career spanning 45 years he has written for most national newspapers and made more than 80 documentaries for British and international broadcasters. His films have been honoured by Amnesty International, the Royal Television Society, UNESCO, the International Documentary Association, the Association for International Broadcasting, the [US] National Academy of Cable Broadcasting and the New York Festivals.

He is the author of 18 published non-fiction books. His most recent work, The Spy Who Was Left Out In The Cold uncovered the secret history of Cold War superspy Michal Goleniewski. Hitler’s British Traitors revealed the untold story of espionage, sabotage and treachery by pro-Nazi British fascists during the Second World War. It was selected as Book of The Week by The Times. His 2018 book Hitler’s Forgotten Children, which told the story of the Nazi Lebensborn program through the life of one of its victims, Ingrid von Oelhafen, has been translated into twelve languages and published in 16 countries. Tim is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.