of espionage practices in wartime. At the start of the book, the author sets the stage in 1914, describing the prosperity that marked the year before the war and the ominous undercurrents of impending conflict, largely driven by a network of German spies operating in Britain. Everitt critiques the shortsightedness of the British government and its unpreparedness for war, emphasizing how international relations and internal political sentiments contributed to a precarious atmosphere. He introduces himself as a resourceful individual eager to serve his country, recounting his journey from civilian life into the realm of secret service work, highlighting the chaotic recruitment and mobilization processes that marked the beginning of the conflict. This opening establishes a gripping backdrop for a detailed examination of the tumultuous events of the Great War through the lens of intelligence gathering and national security. (This is an automatically generated summary.)