This book reveals the secret history of the British Secret Intelligence Service from the chaotic aftermath of WWII to the modern world of cyber-intelligence and counter-terrorism.

The fictional worlds of John le Carré and Ian Fleming's James Bond are far more ingrained in our minds than the real history of MI6, the foreign intelligence service of the United Kingdom. And this may just be intentional.

For decades, MI6 didn't officially exist. However, recently, the agency has had to reveal some of its murky history.

Gordon Corera is a security correspondent for BBC News and an expert in spying, terrorism, and cyber-security.

Using interviews with past agents and officers in the service, Corera delivers a first-hand account of the history of MI6 — the drama, the mistakes, and the bloody conflicts that have, until now, hidden in the shadows.