Examines a series of historical wartime events to delineate the strategies and outcomes of each while linking the function of their intelligence operations, refuting perceptions that intelligence superiority is a key to war success.

Includes maps of: Nelson in the Mediterranean, 1798; The Shenandoach Valley, 1862; Von Spee in the Pacific and Atlantic, 1914; Eastern Mediterranean, 1941; Midway, the Pacific Theatre, 1942; Battle of the Atlantic, 1939-43; V-1, V-2 Offensives, 1943-44; Falkland Islands, 1982 Chapters seem to be reprint of "Intelligence in war : knowledge of the enemy from Napoleon to al-Qaeda".

Knowledge of the enemy -- Chasing Napoleon -- Local knowledge : Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley -- Wireless intelligence -- Crete : foreknowledge no help -- Midway : the complete intelligence victory? -- Intelligence, one factor among many : the Battle of the Atlantic -- Human intelligence and secret weapons -- Military intelligence since 1945 -- The value of military intelligence.