--- product_id: 315656539 title: "Behind the Enigma: The Authorised History of GCHQ, Britain’s Secret Cyber-Intelligence Agency" price: "168.61 DT" currency: TND in_stock: true reviews_count: 5 url: https://www.desertcart.tn/products/315656539-behind-the-enigma-the-authorised-history-of-gchq-britain-s store_origin: TN region: Tunisia --- # 100 years of classified history Unprecedented access to secret archives First authorised GCHQ account Behind the Enigma: The Authorised History of GCHQ, Britain’s Secret Cyber-Intelligence Agency **Price:** 168.61 DT **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🔍 Unlock the secrets behind Britain’s most enigmatic intelligence powerhouse! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Behind the Enigma: The Authorised History of GCHQ, Britain’s Secret Cyber-Intelligence Agency - **How much does it cost?** 168.61 DT with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.tn](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/315656539-behind-the-enigma-the-authorised-history-of-gchq-britain-s) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Codebreaking Legacy:** Explore GCHQ’s pivotal role in WWII codebreaking that shaped the Allied victory. - • **Women in Intelligence:** Discover the untold social history of women’s rise within the secretive agency’s ranks. - • **Future of Cybersecurity:** Gain insight into GCHQ’s ongoing mission against modern threats like terrorism and cybercrime. - • **Authorised & Authoritative:** The first ever authorised history, offering unparalleled insider perspectives on GCHQ’s evolution. - • **Century of Secrets Unveiled:** Dive deep into a century-long saga of British intelligence innovation and covert operations. ## Overview Behind the Enigma is the first authorised, comprehensive history of GCHQ, Britain’s secretive cyber-intelligence agency. Spanning 100 years, it reveals GCHQ’s critical roles from WWII codebreaking to modern cybersecurity, enriched by exclusive access to classified archives and social insights into its workforce. A dense, detailed read for those craving the full story behind the UK’s covert national security efforts. ## Description You know about MI5. You know about MI6. Now discover the untold stories behind Britain’s most secretive intelligence agency, in the first ever authorised history of GCHQ. For a hundred years, GCHQ – Government Communications Headquarters – has been at the forefront of innovation in national security and British secret statecraft. Famed for its codebreaking achievements during the Second World War, and essential to the Allied victory, GCHQ also held a critical role in both the Falklands War and Cold War. Today, amidst the growing threats of terrorism and online crime, GCHQ continues to be the UK’s leading intelligence, security and cyber agency, and a powerful tool of the British state. Based on unprecedented access to classified archives, Behind the Enigma is the first book to authoritatively tell the entire history of this most unique and enigmatic of organisations – and peer into its future at the heart of the nation’s security. Review: Very Detailed. - This is a very densely written book - full of acronyms and hopefully, informed detail. Blows some holes in the Enigma mythology - but puts it firmly in the place where it should always have been. However, it also goes into social details as regards numbers of women employed, their social backgrounds, their employment and also their gradual rise in the ranks as societal pressures and backgrounds changed. It is complex - I'm doing about 40 pages a day - and this is a long book - but it is very detailed and takes careful reading to ensure that you fully understand what is happening. Well worth the reading, perhaps it could have been shortened a little - but lets face it - the author is dealing with a difficult and very detailed history. His account of Stuart Hampshire - a philosopy don, being brought in to sort out the management was astonishing to me - and more importantly his obvious competence in dealing with difficult problems in management and structure. Oh, if he were in charge of the Covid Crisis I wonder how much better off we would be now. Anyway- this is a dense but ultimately rewarding book that pulls no punches - but also allows for brilliance to have a light shone where necessary. Review: Great detailed history book - Excellent history book and very detailed. ## Features - Item Trademark: BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING PLC - manufacturer: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC - Item Weight: kilograms, pounds, 1.3448197982, 0.61 ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #346,693 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #2,421 in Specific Topics in Politics & Government #2,867 in International & World Politics #3,325 in Military History | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 739 Reviews | ## Images ![Behind the Enigma: The Authorised History of GCHQ, Britain’s Secret Cyber-Intelligence Agency - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81ToTn+-iWL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Detailed. *by J***R on 23 December 2020* This is a very densely written book - full of acronyms and hopefully, informed detail. Blows some holes in the Enigma mythology - but puts it firmly in the place where it should always have been. However, it also goes into social details as regards numbers of women employed, their social backgrounds, their employment and also their gradual rise in the ranks as societal pressures and backgrounds changed. It is complex - I'm doing about 40 pages a day - and this is a long book - but it is very detailed and takes careful reading to ensure that you fully understand what is happening. Well worth the reading, perhaps it could have been shortened a little - but lets face it - the author is dealing with a difficult and very detailed history. His account of Stuart Hampshire - a philosopy don, being brought in to sort out the management was astonishing to me - and more importantly his obvious competence in dealing with difficult problems in management and structure. Oh, if he were in charge of the Covid Crisis I wonder how much better off we would be now. Anyway- this is a dense but ultimately rewarding book that pulls no punches - but also allows for brilliance to have a light shone where necessary. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great detailed history book *by G***S on 9 May 2026* Excellent history book and very detailed. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Histoire de la cryptographie britannique *by D***Z on 21 June 2021* Vient couronner une longue série d'ouvrages sur le sujet (Enigma, GCHQ, renseignement et cryptopgraphie) Mais ne se limite plus à la seule Seconde guerre mondiale et couvre une période beaucoup plus récente, après être remonté aux origines, dès le début du XXe siècle ! Ouvrage majeur sur le sujet... ## Frequently Bought Together - Behind the Enigma: The Authorised History of GCHQ, Britain’s Secret Cyber-Intelligence Agency - The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized History of MI5 - Bloomsbury Publishing PLC MI6: The History of the Secret Intelligence Service 1909-1949 --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.tn/products/315656539-behind-the-enigma-the-authorised-history-of-gchq-britain-s](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/315656539-behind-the-enigma-the-authorised-history-of-gchq-britain-s) --- *Product available on Desertcart Tunisia* *Store origin: TN* *Last updated: 2026-09-05*