The Spy Catchers: The Official History of ASIO, 1949-1963
0
0
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, Menrva Books earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Author Description
Winner of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Australian History For the first time, ASIO has opened its archives to an independent historian. With unfettered access to the records, David Horner tells the real story of Australia's domestic intelligence organisation, from shaky beginnings to the expulsion of Ivan Skripov in 1963. From the start, ASIO's mission was to catch spies. In the late 1940s, the top secret Venona program revealed details of a Soviet spy ring in Australia, supported by leading Australian communists. David Horner outlines the tactics ASIO used in counterespionage, from embassy bugging to surveillance of local suspects. His research sheds new light on the Petrov Affair, and details incidents and activities that have never been revealed before. This authoritative and ground-breaking account overturns many myths about ASIO, and offers new insights into broader Australian politics and society in the fraught years of the Cold War. The Spy Catchers is the first of three volumes of The Official History of ASIO. 'The Spy Catchers is a fascinating account of ASIO's early years when the main threat Australia faced was from the Soviet regime.' - The Hon. John Howard, OM, AC, former Prime Minister of Australia 'This is one of our most important official histories.' - The Hon. Kim Beazley, AC, Australian Ambassador to the United States of America
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the operational history and political context of Australia's domestic intelligence organization, ASIO, during its formative years from 1949 to 1963. David Horner, a distinguished historian and recipient of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Australian History, was granted unprecedented access to ASIO's archives to produce this official history. The book details ASIO's counterespionage tactics, including surveillance and electronic eavesdropping, in response to Soviet espionage activities revealed by the Venona program. Horner's research aims to provide an authoritative account, correcting public misconceptions and illuminating the organization's role within the broader landscape of Australian politics and society during the Cold War.
THE SCOPE MAP
- The operational history of ASIO from its establishment in 1949 to the expulsion of Ivan Skripov in 1963.
- Details of Soviet spy rings in Australia and ASIO's methods for counterespionage.
- Analysis of key events such as the Petrov Affair and previously undisclosed incidents.
- Insights into the broader Australian political and social context during the Cold War.
- The first volume of the official history of ASIO, based on unprecedented archival access.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
'The Spy Catchers' has been recognized for its historical significance, winning the Prime Minister’s Prize for Australian History. Former Prime Minister John Howard described it as a 'fascinating account of ASIO's early years,' highlighting its focus on the threat from the Soviet regime. The Australian Ambassador to the United States, Kim Beazley, deemed it 'one of our most important official histories.' The book is lauded for its authoritative approach, overturning myths and providing new insights into a critical period of Australian history.
Page Count:
736
Publication Date:
2014-10-07
Publisher:
Allen & Unwin
ISBN-10:
1743319665
ISBN-13:
9781743319666
Politics
Non-Fiction
History
Espionage
Community Tags
Similar Books
