Spycraft

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

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.