The History of Espionage by Ernest Volkman
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
At the end of last year I received a copy of The History of Espionage by Ernest Volkman to review from Carlton Publishing. It has got to be the most interesting history book that I have ever read! The book gives an account of historical events from the perspective of spies and intelligence. There’s a resounding theme throughout the book; if it wasn’t for the detailed intelligence from spies, wars and battles would never be won!
Volkman is a respected author and specialist in subjects relating to national security and military intelligence. Although the author is from the US, there is no bias towards any one nation in the book. Volkman starts with ancient civiliations in 72 CE and moves up to modern day, including the events of 9/11, the Madrid bombings, and the London July 7th bombings.
First chapter in the book
Did you know that the invention of the tin can was due to an intelligence report describing how the French stored food for their troops? Napoleon’s armies used glass jars to store their food so that they could march for longer without having to search for food. A British mechanic came up with the idea of using tin rather than glass to aid British troops. A lighter and more robust method of transporting food that gave British armies the advantage over the French.
Did you know that Cassanova was a spy? Or that Gengis Khan and Baden-Powell were top spy masters? Did you know that the NSA once used animal poo (faeces) to high one of their covert listening devices?
The book features thirteen chapters of well-researched spy history. Each chapter explains a period of time in which the actions of spies had a strong influence in how events unfolded. Between each chapter there is a two-page feature on an individual or device that has played a significant role in spy history. These two-page ‘articles’ are enjoyable snippets of information that don’t fill a whole chapter.
The History of Espionage is surprisingly light reading. Volkman uses a story-like style to describe events that stops this book feeling like a history textbook. You’ll be amazed to discover just how much intelligence and spies have influenced our history. A thoroughly good read for all spy and history enthusiasts!
