| Spyology | Array Print Array |
 The complete book of Spycraft By Dugald A. Steer Templar £19.99 This fun extension of the Ology series takes a look at all things covert, and is a timely publication bearing in mind the release of the new Bond film. What is huge fun is the style and it purports to be a manual of Spycraft written by ace spy Spencer Blake (Agent K) back in the fifties, and now released under the fifty year rule. Surprisingly it arrived at MI6 headquarters in an unmarked envelope several months after his supposed death (saving the world once more). Stuffed full of pouches containing all manner of exotic materials from business cards, tickets and even special glasses, this has at its heart the story of the agents last case which begins and ends off the coast of Western Scotland, but takes in some exotic locations along the way. There are notes details his progress, and even a double or is that triple agent to deal with. There are plenty of other agents around as well, as a dastadly plan involving anthrax may threaten the world order. Also in the book is an illustrated history of spies, and it even goes back as far as the ancent Egyptians as well as some more recent occurences. There are glossaries, codes to learn and even microdots to grapple with. Some spies unfortunately get caught and there are detials of how to deal with a lie detector and how to try to escape. You are even taught the three man approach to tailing a suspect! Central to both angles of the book is the codex wheel that will enable codes to be made and broken. There is one inside the back cover and inside the front is a red magnifying glass. The joint approach means that it can be read as part adventure story, and part manual for learning to become a spy, well a spy during the cold war. There are publishers notes dropped in to explain that the Berlin wall once existed, that the KGB was renamed, and that there are much more modern gadgets now for agents to use. This is a great introduction to the subject and younger readers may have to fight off those who allegedly bought the book for them! |
