Intelligence collection was done by rulers from time immemorial. In this volume, Vappala Balachandran gives an archival account of how it was practised over the ages – “from the Land of Canaan on Jordan river in the pre-biblical times where it succeeded, to Galwan on Ghulam Rasool Galwan river in the 21st century where it failed”. The author was a high-level national intelligence collector, adjudicator, analyst, and policy adviser to the Government of India between 1976 and 1995. On retirement he undertook deep studies for 26 years on global systems of intelligence, its successes, and failures and how such agencies had helped or impaired the governance and the lives of citizens in various countries. Examined here are the history and working of the systems in India, Britain, United States, Canada, South Africa, and Israel as well as in former “hegemonic” systems like KGB-Stasi and KGB-China. Also discussed are specific subjects such as covert operations, intelligence liaison, major spies, and terrorism.