Getting back to basics, the book is exciting and very well documented. He begins by recalling the history of the secret services with special emphasis on the period since the Second World War to the present day and showing how culture - or the lack of culture - the French intelligence officers, ally to the circumstances of the Second World War and postwar (decolonization, wars in Indochina and Algeria) has contributed to the French secret services what they are today: services, according to the author honorably fulfill their missions but remain excessively undersized, while focusing too often the action (that most foreign service leave to other organizations).
The author also discusses the reforms under Nicolas Sarkozy and, while recognizing that their real impact can be judged with the passage of time, it highlights the excess as the impasses that have led very personal approach had the former president of the organization of power.
If the snapshot of the current situation described by the final chapters inevitably risks losing its relevance in a few years, the book describes not least the evolution of the idea of information and its implementation in France and the neophyte I absolutely recommend it. The foreword written by former Prime Minister Michel Rocard, who he is far from a novice in this area, as recalled numerous citation of its action in the book, highlights how this book is a worthwhile read for everyone from the citizen to the leader through the elect.
