International Spy Museum's Handbook of Practical Spying (International Spy Museum)
by National Geographic

	International Spy Museum's Handbook of Practical Spying (International Spy Museum)
	Customer Rating: Sales Rank: 50915 Available from Amazon
	$10.17

Book Description

This is a brilliant, humorous and suscinct introduction to the ethos of spying. The spy is not a technologist nor a SWAT officer, but someone trained in "awareness" and able to approach discreetly her objective to get "intel". This book puts forward the essence of that spirit and the regular behaviour to be acquired, even if it precludes intentionally the sordid side. For that maybe you should read John Le Carre.

Reader Reviews

This is a fun outsider's guide to espionage. The text is accessible enough for readers as young as early teens. Artwork complements the text nicely.

Good:
-Casual treatment of real espionage subject matter
-Writing is a very easy read
-Anecdotes and historic figures and incidents
-Direct quotes from spies and related personnel
-Material attempts to relate spy skills to everyday life, travel, etc.

Bad:
-Could have been a little more in-depth
-Some treatment of the subject was a little silly

Reading this book will not, obviously, prepare one for work as a spy. It does pull back the curtain on an interesting field and makes some of the techniques applicable to non-spy activities.

This book would make a good gift for anyone (from young teens to adults) having an interest in the subject, or perhaps as a light (!) introduction for those curious about what espionage or intelligence as a career might entail.