No abstract

One potential shortcoming to the book is that only one chapter focuses on training exercises and techniques. For some trainers in the intelligence community, the techniques and exercises given may not be enough to organize a training workshop. However, for trainers with more experience, Richards' examples provide adequate materials. Furthermore, although the author made exceptional choices of selected case studies across the Western countries, any trainer located outside of the United Kingdom should carefully review the information to ensure the conclusions drawn by Richards can be generalized to the country in question.Richards contributes to the field by providing a guide for intelligence analysis trainers and analysts. Furthermore, anyone interested in the field would gain background knowledge on the strengths and weaknesses of intelligence analysis, what intelligence analysis entails, and how to begin thinking as an analyst. Techniques are given to allow for individuals to learn to process information in a different manner (critical thinking skills). These techniques are not necessarily specific to the intelligence analysis field, but can be used by academics as well.