Best Intelligence & Espionage History Books of 2025

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win (New Edition) by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin is a groundbreaking leadership book that teaches how to apply principles from the battlefield to business and life. The authors share their firsthand accounts of heroism, tragic loss, and hard-won victories, revealing that leadership is the most important factor in whether a team succeeds or fails. They also offer SEAL leadership training to pass on their lessons of self-discipline, mental toughness, and self-defense to help forge the next generation of SEAL leaders. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to develop their leadership skills and create high-performance teams.

The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War is a thrilling true account of Oleg Gordievsky, a Russian spy who worked for MI6, helping to hasten the end of the Cold War. The book is a gripping three-way gamesmanship between America, Britain, and the Soviet Union, culminating in Gordievsky's nail-biting escape from Moscow in 1985. Ben Macintyre's latest book is a masterpiece of espionage storytelling, bringing readers deep into a world of treachery and betrayal. This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in Cold War history or espionage.

Saving Aziz is a captivating true story of how a mission to rescue one friend from the Taliban became a calling to save over seventeen thousand people. Former Force Recon Marine and MMA fighter Chad Robichaux's unwavering determination to save his long-time friend and former interpreter Aziz and his family, despite the risks, is commendable. The book provides readers with a deep and rich description of the complex culture of Afghanistan and its people, Chad's direct interactions with the Taliban, and his perspective on the United States' twenty-year war that took place under four presidents. Saving Aziz is a must-read for anyone interested in the humanitarian crisis and the Afghanistan war.

Operation Paperclip is a gripping account of the U.S. government's covert project to bring Nazi scientists to America after World War II. Annie Jacobsen's book sheds light on how the Third Reich's scientific minds were responsible for major advances in rocketry, medical treatments, and the U.S. space program. Through exclusive interviews with Paperclip family members, colleagues, and interrogators, Jacobsen follows over a dozen German scientists and uncovers the government's disturbing secrets. This book is important, superbly written, and provides hard evidence to explore the moral outrage of Operation Paperclip in the name of national security.

Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations is a thrilling memoir by Admiral William H. McRaven, a decorated Navy SEAL who has been involved in some of the most famous missions in recent memory. McRaven shares stories of bravery and heroism during his career, including the capture of Saddam Hussein, the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips, and the raid to kill Osama bin Laden. The book is action-packed, humorous, and full of valuable life lessons, making it a remarkable memoir from one of America's most accomplished leaders. Overall, Sea Stories is an engaging and well-written book that reads like a thriller, offering insight into the life of a wartime leader and the essential work of military special forces.

Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Paul Scharre is a must-read book for anyone interested in the ongoing struggle to control AI. Scharre explores the four key elements that define this power struggle: data, computing power, talent, and institutions. He takes readers inside the fierce competition between the AI superpowers: China, the United States, and Europe. The book is filled with futuristic technology, from AI systems developing combat tactics better than any human to the chilling synergy between China’s government, private sector, and surveillance state. Overall, Four Battlegrounds offers an insightful and thought-provoking look at the future of AI and its impact on global power dynamics.

100 Deadly Skills: The SEAL Operative's Guide to Eluding Pursuers, Evading Capture, and Surviving Any Dangerous Situation by Clint Emerson is a comprehensive and practical survival guide for civilians. Emerson, a retired Navy SEAL, shares his expertise and experience to help readers prepare for potentially life-threatening situations. The book covers a range of skills, from self-defense tactics to cyber-security measures, all explained in easy-to-understand terms with clear illustrations. Aspiring warriors and professionals alike will find this book an invaluable resource.

"Alone at Dawn" by Dan Schilling and Lori Longfritz is a gripping and inspiring true story of John Chapman, a Medal of Honor recipient and Special Ops Combat Controller. The book details Chapman's heroic one-man stand during the Afghan War, where he sacrificed his life to save the lives of twenty-three comrades-in-arms. It is also a behind-the-scenes look at the Air Force Combat Controllers, the world's deadliest and most versatile special operations force. Based on firsthand accounts, classified documents, dramatic video footage, and extensive interviews, "Alone at Dawn" is a remarkable account of an extraordinary man's brave last stand and the brotherhood that forged him."

Surprise, Kill, Vanish is a gripping and detailed account of the CIA's Special Activities Division, its secret paramilitary units, and their ruthless operations. Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsen provides an unprecedented look into the complex world of individuals working in treacherous environments. The author's exclusive interviews with members of the CIA's Senior Intelligence Service, counterterrorism chiefs, targeting officers, and operators reveal the enormity of this shocking, controversial, and morally complex terrain. With the pacing of a thriller, Jacobsen brings to life the sheer pandemonium and chaos, as well as the unforgettable human will to survive and the intellectual challenge of not giving up hope that define paramilitary and intelligence work. Overall, it is a must-read for espionage enthusiasts and anyone interested in the secret history of the CIA.

The U.S. Army Special Forces Guide to Unconventional Warfare is an official manual that provides incredibly detailed information and visuals on how to use initiators, igniters, and incendiary materials in unconventional warfare. It covers topics such as tannerite, aluminum powder, thermite, and fuse cords, among others. The book is a critical tool for anyone interested in understanding how American special forces are fighting enemies overseas. The guide is authored by the U.S. Department of the Army, which has written other military books such as U.S. Army Explosives and Demolitions Handbook and U.S. Army Special Forces Handbook. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in intelligence and espionage history.