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)

The real "Q Branch" from James Bond!!!

This book is a must for anyone interested in Cold War Spy History. It is really the story of the men who designed the listening devices, cameras and cool gadgets that helped us gather the intelligence we wanted from our adversaries. It is also the story of the men crazy enough to go in to some of these places to install them. A bit dry at times, but the authors make everything come alive so that you can understand what they are talking about even when the topic is very technical. Mr. Wallace, Melton and Schelsinger have truly helped us peek inside one of the most amazing parts of our history.

Almost addictive

I concentrate on business improvement topics but needed a break. This was a great break. I recommend it.

Slow to start, finishes well

It took a while for me to get into this one, but after a couple hours in I found myself unable to shut it off.

Great book. Highly recommended.

Spycraft provides great insight into technics and methods of espionage/ counter espionage, famous spies and both failed and successful operations during the cold war until present days.

The historical events in this book are more exiting than fictional Hollywood movies and keep the readers on the edge of their seats.

Very informative and inspiring. A must have book for all spy craft enthusiasts.

Great book for techies

Fabulous, great stories a technophile dream book very current in a ever changing dangerous world spying against us from all sides.

Takes you on a cloak and dagger exploration.

A great book that fulfills every child's spy curiosity. Very good detail into the early years of the CIA and the obsticles they had to overcome.
The only drawback I found was; I was hoping for a little more honesty about 9-11.

Spygear, not Spycraft

The author is limited to things he personally read about and people he spoke to while working for the CIA, hence this book is heavily scewed towards the Office of Technical Services and the exploits of "techs." By far the most discussed topic is the inventing, crafting, planting, and use of audio devises throughout the Cold War with no specific operation discussed after the fall of the USSR (presumably still classified).

Even so, there's an immense amount of frank info here, even stating how CIA techs have a strong preference for cheap hotels since they're paid like any other government employee and can keep any travel allowance they didn't spend. Many details of the allegedly extensive CIA scientific research projects are revealed and they are exactly not what you're expecting and is definitely worth reading the book to learn. There are also nifty tidbits, like how at the party celebrating the agency's creation the ex-OSS agents played a joke and all wore tophats, black cloaks, and daggers.

A flaw in storytelling is several chapters repeat themselves, with some chapters explaining the operations and equipment and other chapters explaining the craft and equipment. The apparent reason is the author had to fight for approval for each chapter. Another flaw is Audible left in the continuity breaks from the original CD audio.

The book also isn't perfect because the author is a regular dude and makes casual political interjections. Case in point when a woman working for the CIA was arrested by the KGB, the author praised her Taekwondo skills when she tried to fight them off despite explicitly stating how it was a bad idea for any spy to fight the authorities where they are. Also, taekwondo has nothing to do with combat skills nor the kick to the crotch the lady delivered, but in context with other statements it's likely the author has a fetish.

Another problem is the lack of understanding the author has for Russia in general but that's par for the course.

well done interesting and informative

I learned a lot of tidbits from history made interesting by the devilish details behind them. A good listen.

How they did it

What did you love best about Spycraft?

This book tells you the high and low tech ways that the CIA spyed on its targets, usually the Russians. It is well written. It does a good job of taking you there.

A tech nerd's dream!

If you could sum up Spycraft in three words, what would they be?

Innovative, Fun, Educational

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed learning about the evolution of technology and how some private companies help win the Cold War.

What about David Drummond’s performance did you like?

He emphasized the right words to give a feeling of what was going through some of the minds of the people he spoke for.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Doing more with a microphone than Bond with a gun.