Product Description

For fans of James Bond movies, Tom Clancy, John Le Carré and Robert Ludlum, Hidden Secrets is a compelling look at the real world of the spy. Often called the second oldest profession, espionage has played and continues to play a pivotal role in world events. Stealing plans, knowing an enemy's capabilities and deceiving an opponent are vital in both war and peacetime. Centuries ago, Sun Tzu (The Art of War) made extensive use of spies and believed the ideal way to defeat an opponent was to avoid battle altogether with deception and clever maneuvers to confuse, distract and ultimately triumph over the enemy. In 1780, George Washington's spies, the Culper Ring spy network, tracked enemy ships by communicating with invisible inks and signals like hanging a set number of handkerchiefs on a clothesline.

Spying and spy technology has evolved from sending signals through handkerchiefs and cracking the code of the Enigma machine to current intelligence techniques that rely on satellite imagery and monitoring of cellphone and internet communications. With case studies and hundreds of photographs, Hidden Secrets is an intriguing look at all these surveillance techniques, spy technology and the spies themselves.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1766205 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The handsomely illustrated Hidden Secrets: A Complete History of Espionage and the Technology Used to Support It spotlights the most dashing figures in the annals of spy craft, such as George Washington's double agent, John Honeyman, who convinced British army officers at Trenton they had nothing to worry about, or Richard Sorge, the WWII Russian spy who was able to befriend Goebbels. Science journalist David Owen (Hidden Evidence) offers an introduction to the history of intelligence gathering, focusing mainly on European and American espionage in the last two centuries. Along with the big names, he lovingly details the big gadgets from the Enigma machine to today's reconnaissance aircraft.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
This is a compelling overview of the history of espionage that features abundant color photographs and illustrations. The book is aimed at those who are fascinated with intelligence but as yet unfamiliar with its techniques, strategies, and equipment. Owen divides his subject up according to standard sources of secret information: human agents, coded or enciphered transmissions, electronic emissions, and overhead reconnaissance. While relating the basic background of four dozen case studies, from George Washington's spy operations to the Cambridge Five to recent exposures of turncoats in the CIA and the FBI, Owen impresses readers with the difficulties of infiltrating and running human spies. Protecting them and securing their communications comes under the "tradecraft" that is Owen's reigning theme. An eye-catching introduction to the "wilderness of mirrors" that is intelligence. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
Succeeds admirably as a good overview ... well worth reading for its entertaining and enriching value. (Kurt F. Jensen bout de papier 2002)

The most up-to-date introduction to the world of espionage now available and is recommended to all public libraries. (Jim Doyle Library Journal 20020401)

A thorough, sometimes dark, history, outstanding for both war and gadget buffs. (Gilbert Taylor Booklist 20020401)

Details all aspects of intelligence and information techniques employed during the past 100 years ... loaded with pictures and illustrations. (Science News 200410)

A fascinating review of the history of espionage ... hundreds of color photographs and illustrations. (Cryptologia )

The book is packed with useful, informative, and interesting illustrations. (Lorien Foote American Reference Book Annual )