State secrets : behind the scenes of the 20th century

There is something very rewarding about stumbling on a secret - and even better if it reveals the cunning, humanity or plain eccentricity of those in power.

Here the "National Archives" takes a glimpse behind the scenes of the twentieth century, presenting 80 stories of the 'news behind the news' on subjects from world war to political scandal to the royal teabags.

This thought-provoking collection paints a rich portrait of the British ntional character as ti responded to a turbulent century, recalling some familiar institutions like Dad's Army and James Bond shedding new light on events we all think we remember.