" As a branch of applied mathematics, magic was practiced on an ad-hoc basis prior to its systematization by Alan Turing in the 1940s. Wartime efforts combined the approach of GCHQ (cryptanalysis, applied computational demonology) and SOE (sabotage operations, combat philosophy) and led to the establishment of the post-war secret agency documented in these classified publications.
Members of staff assigned to Active Operations are required to maintain a journal describing their operations, so that in event of their death or assimilation by an extradimensional nightmare their knowledge is not lost to the organization. As a new recruit you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with these classified sources: they’re an invaluable learning resource and the following reading list may prove helpful."