I think this would have been a fun subject to run with as a fiction book, but as a history book I was just bored unfortunately. I try to expand what I read, and this is just something that did not catch my attention or hold on to it for long moments. Maybe there can be a new spy/thriller with this type of organization, and it would be more to my liking.

**3 stars**
*The Secret History of Five Eyes* offers a compelling look into the covert world of one of the most powerful intelligence alliances. Richard Kerbaj’s extensive research and insider interviews provide fascinating insights into the complexities and internal tensions within the Five Eyes network. The book effectively highlights the imbalance of power, especially the U.S.'s dominance, and sheds light on how this secretive alliance has quietly shaped global events.

However, the narrative at times felt dense and overloaded with details, making it harder to stay engaged. Some sections lacked the narrative flow needed to make the historical and political intricacies more accessible to general readers. While the content is informative and eye-opening, it doesn’t quite deliver the gripping pace one might expect from a story about espionage and global power. A worthwhile read for those interested in intelligence and geopolitics, but it may not fully captivate all readers.

For history lovers and conspiracy realists that want to dig a little deeper into the behind the scenes of the 5 Eyes, a secret intelligence alliance, and its impacts on citizens. I was drawn to this due to having an interest in the big 5, 9 and 14 eyes 👀.

I absolutely loved the cover design, that caught my attention right away.

While this is focused more on stories of (jaw-dropping) espionage over the last 8 decades, I think I would personally be more of a fan if told in an engaging podcast style - summarizing the stories as more of a discussion versus the way these stories are told. It gets a bit dry and mundane for me, as this is more of an education style than entertaining.

This audio has been refreshed from a previous release. There were complaints about too many quotes in the previous version, and I believe this version corrects that. But as an American, I need more dynamic and inflection in such a long audio book to hold my attention. I just don’t think this is a great audio book content or delivery style.

All-in-all, I appreciated the level of detail and effort the author put into this. This was no easy undertaking. The content was interesting and geared towards educators and historians that are looking for facts and timelines without an entertainment factor.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary ARC to review!

This was such an intriguing book! I enjoyed thr focus on the people as a way to show how the spy network interacts and cases that impacted history. This was a challenging topic to cover, but it was done in an accessible way. I have a renewed appreciation for the relationships and dynamics that operate in secret. I don't read very many nonfiction books each year, so I'm glad I spent my time with this one! Great job!

3.1 ⭐️ 🎧
For history lovers and conspiracy realists that want to dig a little deeper into the behind the scenes of the 5 Eyes, a secret intelligence alliance, and its impacts on citizens. I was drawn to this due to having an interest in the big 5, 9 and 14 eyes 👀.

I absolutely loved the cover design, that caught my attention right away.

While this is focused more on stories of (jaw-dropping) espionage over the last 8 decades, I think I would personally be more of a fan if told in an engaging podcast style - summarizing the stories as more of a discussion versus the way these stories are told. It gets a bit dry and mundane for me, as this is more of an education style than entertaining.

This audio has been refreshed from a previous release. There were complaints about too many quotes in the previous version, and I believe this version corrects that. But as an American, I need more dynamic and inflection in such a long audio book to hold my attention. I just don’t think this is a great audio book content or delivery style.

All-in-all, I appreciated the level of detail and effort the author put into this. This was no easy undertaking. The content was interesting and geared towards educators and historians that are looking for facts and timelines without an entertainment factor.

Thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Richard Kerbaj for providing me with a complimentary ARC to review!

I do not envy Kerbaj's task of narrowing down such an expansive history into something that carries the reader through the evolution of this conglomerate. I admire him just in the undertaking. At the same time "The Secret History of the Five Eyes" seemed to meander a bit stylistically and from my perspective, or possibly on that dreaded word assumptions, in focus. Now, I am aware that I have more of a surface knowledge on many of the things discussed. It could be that someone with an investment in espionage and history of intelligence agencies will find this a gripping and flowing journey through highlights. That wasn't my experience.

First and foremost I would like anyone reading a print format of this book to take my words with a grain of salt. I received an ARC of the audiobook through netgalley. It pains me to say that there were editorial, directorial, or other engineering decisions that really dragged down the material. There was a very halting quality to the extent where for the first few chapters I had to check my device and headphones as I thought there was a technical issue. As such I ...was...continually... taken aback by the start...and the....stop of the narration. Which doesn't fairly represent the narration by the author or the...quality of....the book. In my opinion. The previous sentences are an example of the jarring pacing that created an already difficult situation of a writing style I have a hard time retaining nearly insufferable. I had to slow down my listening speed far below what I normally prefer which was even more jarring as any faster and it sounded even more like hiccuping.

I realize that to write about organizations such as these it is necessary to talk about the events they were involved in. It is overall a good history of the key events involving international security-- maybe not so much of the institutions themselves. It seemed to be more about the matter at hand and aftermath than the actual interaction and environment of the agencies more often than not. While it also makes sense that the UK and US would have the most focus as oldest and most expansive, only Australia really got much notoriety and focus leaving Canada and New Zealand as a side note. this is incredibly disappointing as the later three were the most unknown to me and what I was hoping to learn about from this book.

Further issues were absolutely and completely my own personal preferences. This book is written more closely to an academic or timeline-event style. Every once in a while it would opening a section in a narrative style from the perspective of someone involved. My brain responds and retains information when it's put in a personal framework much better. For example, a novel also dealing with intelligence "Wise Girls" by Natalia Holt that i read earlier this year gave a great history of the CIA from its women agents that also folded in they events but I can promise you I could give you more details about both eight months later than I will be able to give you on this book in two days. Also the constant 'quote...end quote' being spoken was driving me a bit batty.

TO be honest the biggest takeaway I'm coming away with from this book is more of a confirmation bias. The elements that have stood out to me is more the continuing frustration in how much of history has been about people with power having ego trips and pride clouding their decision making. Frankly it's rather discouraging. Tue exception being the conclusion that takes pains to reiterate that in the end they have remained collaborators despite tensions and power pushes of whoever happens to be in the 'big seat' at the time.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Richard Kerbaj, and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

While I do not consider myself an intelligence or espionage expert, I could not help but want to learn a little more with this book by Richard Kerbaj. In the tome, Kerbaj explores the five intelligence agencies of the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as how well they work together. The evolution of intelligence and its sharing over the years has been exponentially increased with the onset of the Secind World War, as Kerbaj effectively argues throughout. During various periods discussed in the book, the author effectively shows how each of the five agencies work independently and together, as well as their numerous clashes over the last eight decades. This book is written so that the layperson can digest its contents, but is equally detailed for aficionados to enjoy. Richard Kerbaj reveals his detailed research and analysis in this well-paced book!

Richard Kerbaj does a stellar job explaining the role of The Five Eyes from the outset of the book. The spy network sharing intelligence between the respective agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand has been quite effective and veiled in secrecy since its creation around 1956. While not legally binding, The Five Eyes has worked well to collaborate on high-tensions situations that have benefitted some of all of its members to better handle geo-political threats over the last many years. Kerbaj effectively argues this throughout the tome, using multiple examples to further the arguments for the curious reader.

One could easily argue that the five players are not always on equal footing. The British and American agencies loom over their three cousins, though Kerbaj does not dismiss the importance of the New Zealanders, Australians, or Canadians. Rather, they are all cogs in a larger wheel, one that move effectively in union, which has been shown repeatedly. However, each of the five has had its share of blunders and been forced to justify decisions on the world scene, as well as to one another. This cohesive nature and refusal to vilify each other helps strengthen The Five Eyes on an ongoing basis.

There is no doubt that there have been clashes and high-level disagreements over the years, sometimes related to the politics of the countries’ respective governments, but there is an overarching sentiment that intelligence sharing has been used to unite The Five Eyes to ensure a solid and united front against many of the threats that have been brought to the intelligence community. Kerbaj offers some ideas as to how the five could have worked better together, but also exemplifies the powerful decision-making processes used to create a safety net to keep the West safe and the joint efforts to target some key countries who have vowed to dismantle safety and security on an international scale, namely the autocratic regimes of Russia and China, as well as some of their minor fellow players.

Richard Kerbaj delivers a well-paced book that is full of nuggets for the curious reader. He presents key arguments to support the creation and sustaining of The Five Eyes, as well as postulating its future on the world scene. Kerbaj uses great interviews and numerous documents to support many of his sentiments, providing the reader with hard evidence rather than speculation. This helps substantiate the numerous forward-thinking views presented within the tome and adds depth to an already well-developed book. While I am no intelligence expert or aficionado, I thoroughly enjoyed all I learned and the way in which Richard Kerbaj presented his findings. This is certainly a book well worth my time and effort and I am better for reading it!

Kudos, Mr. Kerbaj, for opening my eyes about many intelligence subjects I had never pondered.