Hidden for decades, Manglano’s files finally see the light.
Spanish General Maglano, the most informed man in the country, the creator of modern intelligence and the first director of a Western secret service to enter the KGB headquarters in Moscow… as a guest. His children reveal his archives for the first time so that the true significance of the Head of the Spies may be known.
“More than one bigwig would pay considerable sums in exchange for the head of spies to have thrown his papers into the fire.”
Trusted confidant of the King of Spain, director of the Superior Center of Defense Information (CESID) and an expert witness of all the main secrets and scandals of the country. In Head of Spies (El jefe de los espías), the non-fiction work in the form of a novel, journalists Juan Fernández-Miranda and Javier Chicote rewrite the history of the last quarter of the twentieth century in Spain.
From an unprecedented perspective, the book explores crucial events such as 23-F, the fall of the political coalition Democratic Center Union (UCD), the financing of the transition, the Superior Center of Defense Information (CESID) in its fight against ETA, the crisis of the monarchy, Mario Conde and the Crillon report, the escape of Roldan, the GAL, blackmail and commissions from high level businessmen, meetings with presidents, etc. Essential and controversial information which reveals political, economic and social secrets of the main figures of the recent history of Spain.
RELEVANT DATA: The Head of Spies (El jefe de los espías) is based on a meticulous investigative report that uses, as its main source, the personal and secret archives of General Emilio Alonso Manglano between 1981 and 1995. This work is the result of several years of research on the contents of more than 200 kilos of documents.
Javier Chicote has received the APM Award for Best Journalist of the Year from the Madrid Press Association for his investigative work in the fields of politics, economics, and sports. He is an investigative editor of the newspaper ABC and is a professor. He is known for uncovering exclusive information on political and economic corruption plots in various investigations. He has collaborated in different media outlets such as El Confidencial, Antena 3 and La Sexta, among others.
Juan Fernández-Miranda is assistant to the editor of the ABC newspaper and collaborates in different radio and television talk shows, focusing on political and judicial news.
What the critics have said:
“A journalistic and historical contribution of great relevance. It offers an unprecedented perspective of Spain in the 80s and 90s and sheds direct light on key moments in Spanish history.” ABC
“A gripping book, a far-reaching investigation that unveils dark chapters of Spanish history.” Azahara Villacorta, El Comercio
AUDIOVISUAL POTENTIAL: TV Series, Miniseries, Film, TV Movie.
LANGUAGES AVAILABLE: Spanish.
