Scholars have long viewed intelligence as the preserve of nation states. Where the term ‘private sector intelligence’ is used, the focus has been overwhelmingly on government contractors. As such, a crucial aspect of intelligence power has been overlooked: the use of intelligence by corporations to navigate and influence the world. Where there has been academic scrutiny of the field, it is seen as a post-9/11 phenomenon, and that a state monopoly of intelligence has been eroded. Beyond States and Spies demonstrates - through original research - that such a monopoly never existed. Private sector intelligence is at least as old as the organised intelligence activities of the nation state. The book offers a comparative examination of private and public intelligence, and makes a compelling case for understanding the dangers posed by unregulated intelligence in private hands. Overall, this casts new light on a hitherto under investigated academic space. Beyond States and Spies corrects a neglected aspect of intelligence studies by exploring a long and colourful history of the private intelligence services. Sage-Passant offers a valuable addition to the literature by raising important ethical considerations as private intelligence outfits continue to proliferate. -- Michael J. Ard, Johns Hopkins University Lewis Sage-Passant is the Global Head of Intelligence at one of the world’s most valuable companies and researches in the field of intelligence and espionage.