A history of all the branches of the Israeli intelligence community: the Mossad; Aman; and Shin Bet.

"This book appeared in slightly different form in England under the title The imperfect spies, copyright 1989"--Title page verso. "A Marc Jaffe book."

First steps -- Childhood development -- Nuclear maturity and Lakam -- Strategic alliances -- Harel the crusader -- Amit reshapes the Mossad -- The road to war -- Shin Bet has its day -- The secret weapon -- The surprises of war and peace -- For the good of the Jews -- The age of adventurism -- Killings and coverups -- A spy in America -- The chaos of Irangate -- Business at all costs -- The nuclear traitor -- The death of the informers -- A world without trust -- Into the future.