Brassey's book of espionage

the long version

In Brassey's Book of Espionage John Laffin shows how espionage, the craft or trade of spying - together with counter-espionage - is amazing in its variety and enterprise. Spies are as busy now as they were during the Cold War; more money is spent on espionage than any activity other than the arms trade, with which it is closely connected. For the millions of people who will never meet a spy - and they would not recognise one even if they did! - the adventures of enthusiastic amateurs and of cold-blooded professionals make absorbing reading. The spies of the real world sometimes live through more dangerous experiences than those of fiction. . Dr Laffin goes on to show that even after the end of the Cold War, when spying between the superpowers reached extraordinary, bizarre and ruthless lengths, espionage is thriving. Now it has a new intensity, especially in industrial espionage. The fate of nations, their economy as well as their security, hangs in the balance. For instance, much of the Western effort goes into penetrating Islamic terrorist groups, and in recent years China's intelligence system has become more sophisticated. Also covered are the technicalities of spying, including electronic intelligence, satellite intelligence and the many 'tricks of the trade'; the language of spying; and the organisations that are involved in this fascinating trade.