“How would you like to be a spy?” This is how Stella Rimington was first recruited into the Security Service (popularly known as MI5) in the 1960s. Things are a bit different now, with the Service running regular recruitment ads in my local paper and elsewhere. Many of the changes that have happened were the result of reforms started by Rimington herself. She embodies others.
The most revealing part of the book is the inside story of the way she was revealed to the press as the Director-General of MI5. It was not well-handled at all and the consequences for Rimington personally were grim. A good example of how to botch a PR exercise by not thinking things through to their logical conclusion.
On a lighter note, she tells a delightful story that involves a disguise, a judge and a dinner party. The biographical aspects of the book are the most interesting because they are the most candid.
As for the spy stuff, this book is a fascinating, if limited, peek behind the curtain. Reading it, one gets the sense that Whitehall mandarins would have preferred to redact the whole book and not just the bits that they thought threatened national security. The sense of the ‘story not told’ is palpable.
She tells us what she can with vigour and directness. Rimington may not have liked it but Judi Dench’s portrayal of M – with its cynical humour and unsparing intelligence – may be closer to the mark that she would like to admit.
See Open Secret: The Autobiography of the Former Director-General of MI5
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I haven’t read the autobiography, but her novel “Illegal Action” is probably the worst writing I’ve come across in ten years. I downloaded the unabridged audio version for a long car journey and it was both badly written and utterly implausible. I guess at least that proves she wasn’t in breach of the Official Secrets Act by drawing too closely on her real-life experiences.
“As for the spy stuff, this book is a fascinating, if limited, peak behind the curtain.”
I still love the writing issues you highlight though! Peace.
I spy a typo error. Isn’t it supposed to be ‘peek’ instead of ‘peak’ Matthew? Good to know you make mistakes too
I’m hoping to get this book for Christmas!
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