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Title details for Spycraft by H. Keith Melton - Available

Spycraft

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

by H. Keith Melton
Henry Robert Schlesinger
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
—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.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    June 26, 2008

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781400127146
      • File size: 571750 KB
      • Duration: 19:51:08

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      This history of the CIA's Office of Technical Services presents a thorough discussion of how the intelligence agency has used high-tech gadgets throughout the years in foreign intelligence. The authors enumerate many of the tricks of the trade of spying, which can be, in many cases, more surprising than James Bond. The book also has several chapters about "tradecraft," or the practices of covert surveillance, disguises, etc. David Drummond's slow reading makes this long book hard to listen to. One finds it difficult to follow sentences whose rhythm is broken by the languid narration. But this is an interesting book, full of surprises, so it's worth sticking it out. K.M. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      April 14, 2008
      Today’s CIA is regularly criticized for emphasizing technology at the expense of “human intelligence.” In this history of the agency’s Office of Technical Services, Wallace, its former head, and academic specialist Melton (Ultimate Spy
      ) refute the charge with exciting content and slam-bang style. The book’s chief value is its perspective on the synergy of technology and tradecraft. From WWII through the Cold War and up to the present, the authors say, technical equipment—for clandestine audio surveillance, for example—has been an essential element of agent operations. In the post–Cold War “information society,” technology plays an even more significant role in fighting terrorism. Agents remain important, along with their traditional skills. Increasingly, however, they support clandestine technical operations, especially infiltrating and compromising computer networks. The authors persuasively argue that employing and defending against sophisticated digital technology is the primary challenge facing U.S. intelligence in the 21st century. Their position invites challenge, but it cannot be dismissed. 32 pages of photos, over 100 b&w illus. throughout.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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