About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherBloomsbury Publishing

ISBN-101844864359

ISBN-139781844864355

eBay Product ID (ePID)227556161

Product Key Features

Book TitleSecret Well Kept : the Untold Story of Sir Vernon Kell, Founder of Mi5

Number of Pages224 Pages

LanguageEnglish

TopicCultural Heritage, Military / World War II, Intelligence & Espionage, Military / World War I

Publication Year2017

IllustratorYes

GenrePolitical Science, Biography & Autobiography, History

AuthorConstance Kell

FormatHardcover

Dimensions

Item Height0.9 in

Item Weight12.7 Oz

Item Length8.7 in

Item Width5.7 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

Dewey Edition23

TitleLeadingA

ReviewsA charming piece of social history and a captivating addition to the history of MI5. Loyal, resolute and undaunted, in a later era [Constance] might herself have made an excellent MI5 officer., "A charming piece of social history and a captivating addition to the history of MI5. Loyal, resolute and undaunted, in a later era [Constance] might herself have made an excellent MI5 officer." - Stella Rimington, "You'll be swept along by the author's enthusiasm." - Sebastian Shakespeare, Tatler "A charming piece of social history and a captivating addition to the history of MI5. Loyal, resolute and undaunted, in a later era [Constance] might herself have made an excellent MI5 officer." - Stella Rimington

Dewey Decimal327.12410092

SynopsisThe United Kingdom's domestic counter-intelligence and security agency, most commonly known as MI5, was founded in 1909 by Sir Vernon Kell KBE. Kell ("K" within the agency) not only founded MI5, but was also its Director for 31 years, the longest tenure of any head of a British government department during the twentieth century. Kell was also fluent in six foreign languages, making him arguably the most gifted linguist ever to head a Western intelligence agency. A Secret Well Kept was written by Kell's wife, Constance, in the 1950s, and the manuscript has been a treasured family possession ever since. Constance's story is endlessly fascinating: she tells of their life in China during the Boxer Rebellion, the formation of MI5 in 1909, the key characters, events and spy cases of Kell's career, and his important work achieved for the country during two world wars. A modern-day preface from Kell's great-granddaughter, introduction by Stewart Binns, and notes from Dr. Chris Northcott add historical context to this delightful and unparalleled insight into the personal life of an extremely powerful and important man., An unparalleled insight into the personal life of Sir Vernon Kell, founder of MI5, from the one person with whom he was most intimate, his wife Lady Constance Kell., Discover the life of Sir Vernon Kell, founder and Director of MI5, as cold by the person with whom he the most intimate, his wife Constance Kell. Book jacket.

LC Classification NumberUB251