Spycraft

The Secret History of the CIA's Spytechs from Communism to Al-Qaeda

By: Robert Wallace, Henry Robert Schelsinger

Narrated by: David Drummond

Length: 19 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

• Secret instructions written in invisible ink
• Covert communications slipped inside dead rats
• Subminiature cameras hidden in ballpoint pens

If these sound like the stuff of science fiction or imaginary tools of James Bond's gadget-master Q's trade, think again. They are real-life devices created by the CIA's Office of Technical Service. Now, in the first book ever written about this ultrasecretive department, the former director of OTS teams up with an internationally renowned intelligence historian to give listeners an unprecedented look at the devices and operations deemed "inappropriate for public disclosure" by the CIA just two years ago.

Spycraft tells amazing life-and-death stories about this little-known group, much of it never before revealed. Against the backdrop of some of America's most critical periods in recent history - including the cold war, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the war on terror - the authors show the real technical and human story of how the CIA carries out its missions.

©2008 Robert Wallace, H. Keith Melton, and Henry R. Schlesinger (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Forget James Bond's famous 'Q' and Hollywood, this is the most remarkable and revealing book ever published about the history and technology of spying." (Peter Earnest, executive director, International Spy Museum)

Excellent!

Great book that details discussion of how CIA Technical Services Directorate equips field officers and agents with the technical resources required to carry out the mission of the CIA. Squirrel and rat carcasses, pin-home microphones and so much more! Includes stores of many missions.

more Cold War then Al-Queda - but great!

so it starts off slow and ends sorta slow, but the middle is great [{}]

near the end there is some repeating of stuff that was in the beginning of the book but it is really to give more info about the device or operation [{}]

this is a great book that covers some great times in history, although you dont know of what is told as it was secret at the time and was not made public so its not something that was in newspapers or on tv, you can still understand and appreciate what is going on [{}]

the beginning of the book is sorta slow but it picks up pretty fast and keeps going until the last 2 hours or so ad its then a recap or just a closing - its not that its a bad ending its just that you dont get much of the Al-Queda stuff its mostly Cold War through the book as that was a huge part and took up so much of the CIA's time - there is then some Vietnam stuff and brief Afghanistan section then back to a recap of items used and some terms and its over [{}]

I liked the book as it was a departure from normal "Spy Novels" as it was mostly real stuff and how technological problems were overcome as well as a few failures [{}]

I say get this book because its something that anyone should be able to enjoy

Good read from well know source.

Good story with interesting data points around gadgets spies and tradecraft. Focused much on the past and less so about more current events. Would have to learned more about current state if possible.

Not what you think

This is not a "spy novel." It is really 3 different histories in one book. It is interesting and well told, but will bore those who are looking a fast paced story. There are lots of good twists and turns however.

Starts off slow, but builds.

After the first hour or two, I thought it was'nt going to be very good. But it builds. The book jumps around a lot.

Semi-technical. Historical. Funny.

More in-depth than I thought it was going to be.

/technical job. amateur radio operator.

Things that make you go "Hmmmm"

Listening to this book left me in awe of those patriots who fight the battle of freedom below the surface of public awareness. Great stuff.

Stories about the technology used at CIA

One of the better books about the intelligence community -- focused on Office of Technical Services and the technologies they developed and fielded, as well as some of the basics of spying and why those technologies were useful.

Boring and repetitive

Like many military history novels, this book slowly retells spy stories that really aren't that interesting. Lacking professional production, the Audible version says "This is the end of this CD" and the stories and explanations are repeated. I wouldn't recommend the book.

Fun and Interesting. No tech experience required.

Any additional comments?

Exactly what i expected! 5 Stars!
A book about the history of gadgets used in spycraft.
Lots of excellent little side mission stories within. Also a few of major events explained from a different point of view. Explained in a such a manner that no technical aptitude is required to understand and enjoy.
A fun listen. Very satisfied.

Very interesting timeline of this part of the CIA.

Very interesting timeline of this part of the CIA. Very detailed and good explanation of the terminology.