Chinese Spies
From Chairman Mao to Xi Jinping
Roger Faligot author Natasha Lehrer translator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Published:3rd Mar '22
Should be back in stock very soon
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£35.00(9781787380967)
The book Chinese Spies reveals a century of espionage history, detailing how Chinese operatives have shaped global events from the 1920s to today.
In Chinese Spies, the intricate history of espionage in China is explored, beginning with Zhou Enlai’s establishment of the first communist spy network in 1920s Shanghai. This network operated discreetly, navigating the complexities of nationalists, Western powers, and the Japanese, marking the beginning of a global narrative intertwined with espionage. Roger Faligot meticulously uncovers previously hidden documents and conducts extensive interviews, revealing how Chinese spies have influenced significant world events over the past century.
The narrative spans a wide array of historical moments, showcasing spies who worked under various guises, including scientists, journalists, diplomats, and businessmen. From the purges instigated by Stalin to the tragic events of 9/11, and even the recent political maneuvers surrounding Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan, the reach of these operatives is profound. The story takes readers from the tumultuous landscapes of Cambodia to the prestigious halls of Cambridge, illustrating the far-reaching impact of Chinese intelligence.
This compelling account not only highlights the evolution of Chinese espionage but also its entanglements with global figures, including Ho Chi Minh and the Clintons. Chinese Spies delves into the expansive network of the world’s largest intelligence service, tracing its origins from the inception of communist China to the present era under Xi Jinping, showcasing the enduring legacy and influence of Chinese spies on the world stage.
'With increasing tensions in the trade war between America and China, concerns about the future of democracy in Hong Kong, and the controversy surrounding Huawei's 5G mobile networks, “Chinese Spies” is a very timely and important book.' -- The Wall Street Journal
'Faligot's detailed and fascinating account of Chinese espionage over the past century argues that "today the community of Chinese security and intelligence services is the largest in the world". . . impressive in its level of detail.' * The Sunday Times *
'Faligot, an intrepid French researcher, has for 40 years constructed an encyclopaedic private archive of Chinese intelligence. . . Chinese Spies, is an enjoyable treasure trove of conspiracy theories. . . . spicy enough to keep the general reader awake at night.' * The Times *
'The growing competition between Washington and Beijing is not the immediate subject of Faligot's history of Chinese intelligence . . . [but] it provides a significant part of the story of how we got to this point. Faligot has an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of China's spy agencies . . . contains many fascinating stories.' * Financial Times *
'Mr Faligot writes evocatively … [Chinese Spies is an] engrossing book.' -- The Economist
'A landmark book.' * Paris Match *
'Roger Faligot fuses an encyclopaedic knowledge of this murky world and its characters with anecdotes that are sometimes comical and often colourful.' * Le Point *
‘This book could not be more timely … [it] includes fascinating spy stories …and colorful characters.’ -- Asian Review of Books
'This is an intense book. [Chinese Spies] is the result of huge research but also demonstrates the author's immense knowledge of the politics, attitudes and identities of the political elite of the People's Republic of China.'
'The expert Roger Faligot offers an enthralling, years-long investigation into the Chinese secret services, delving behind the scenes of Beijing's global strategy.' * Le Parisien *
'China is not just a country with intelligence services, but rather an intelligence state. In this wide-ranging book, Faligot traces this trajectory from pre-revolutionary Shanghai to the present and reveals a phenomenon for which the West is ill-prepared.' -- Nigel Inkster, former Director of Operations and Intelligence, MI6, and Director of Transnational Threats & Political Risk, IISS
'No stone is left unturned in Faligot's astounding and exhaustive who's who of Chinese espionage. The revelations prove as scary as the revolutions. Anyone inclined to welcome China's rediscovered world stature needs to read this book.' -- John Keay, author of 'China: A History'
'An astounding and unmatched source book on the extraordinary reach of the PRC's intelligence network... At once fascinating and chilling, it's a book I found hard to put down.' -- Clive Hamilton
ISBN: 9781787386044
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
560 pages