cover image Hidden Secrets: The Complete History of Espionage and the Technology Used to Support It

Hidden Secrets: The Complete History of Espionage and the Technology Used to Support It

David Owen. Firefly Books, $35 (224pp) ISBN 978-1-55297-565-7

The handsomely illustrated Hidden Secrets: A Complete History of Espionage and the Technology Used to Support It spotlights the most dashing figures in the annals of spy craft, such as George Washington's double agent, John Honeyman, who convinced British army officers at Trenton they had nothing to worry about, or Richard Sorge, the WWII Russian spy who was able to befriend Goebbels. Science journalist David Owen (Hidden Evidence) offers an introduction to the history of intelligence gathering, focusing mainly on European and American espionage in the last two centuries. Along with the big names, he lovingly details the big gadgets from the Enigma machine to today's reconnaissance aircraft. (May)