The Spy's Guide: Office Espionage by H. Keith Melton

by Duane Swierczynski

In today's business world, information is everything - and no one gathers information more effectively than spies. So why not bring real spying techniques into your workplace? The same tactics used by CIA and KGB agents can also be used at offices and corporations of any size - and these techniques will help you get ahead fast! The Spy's Office Espionage features illustrated step-by-step instructions on tapping phones, sending anonymous e-mails, disguising your identity at a trade show, and much more. The authors also share real-life stories about how these tactics have been employed by professional spies in the CIA, KGB, Fortune 500 companies, and other settings. Advance your career with espionage!Author H. Keith Melton is one of the world's foremost experts on the history of spying. He serves on the board of directors for The International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.Craig Piligian has produced several television documentaries about espionage. He lives in Los Angeles, California. Duane Swierczynski is the author of The Perfect Drink for Every Occasion and lives in Philadelphia.

Genres: Espionage, Nonfiction, How To

Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Duane Swierczynski is an American crime writer who has written a number of non-fiction books, novels and also writes for comic books.

Reviews

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this in the "Humor" section of McKay's Used Books while I was looking for, I dunno, more cat poetry or another parody of Donald Trump, and thought it might be something dryly amusing like The Zombie Survival Guide or How to Survive a Robot Uprising. But while the author here occasionally - occasionally - plants his tongue ever-so-slightly in cheek, this is NOT a funny book. Instead, it is a thorough (I assume) overview of what is politely referred to as "competitive intelligence," but is in fact a highly questionable - and definitely unethical - introduction to corporate espionage.* (Indeed, the only real humor here is unintentional, with glaringly dated references to AOL CD-ROMs, pay phones and fax machines - reminds you just how much has changed in 20 years.) And okay, while some of this might have actually been useful way back when I was still doing international business, I might also still be in behind bars somewhere today if I'd actually used any of it.

That said, the information itself is interesting enough, but starts to drag well before the halfway point, much like reading a whole book of magic tricks that you're never going to actually learn or use. So probably best as a bathroom book that you can read a page or two at a visit, like how my parents used to read "Reader's Digest" and "Guideposts."

Still, 49 cents well-spent - although worth nowhere near the original $14.95 asking price at downtown DC's "International Spy Museum," where this was apparently first purchased.



* So maybe the whole "humor" label was a proactive legal disclaimer - the "hey, I was only joking!" defense.

[☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book info here is actually wrong, it should be as follows:
The Spy's Guide: Office Espionage by H Keith Melton and Craig Piligian and Duane Swierczynski

[Lloyd Ilker Sogukpinar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a counter-espionage prep book to understand what kind of malicious attempts could be done in professional life. Some of the methods are illegal. Some of them are easy to be avoided.

[Elaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Spy's Guide offers many tricks and tips to outsmart the competition at work, but when reading one must wonder when this information will come in handy. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book and may or may not be employing some of the skills taught (kidding... maybe). As with all nonfiction, applying theme is tricky, but the one I found is trust. In the spy world, it's hard to find the line between friend and foe, but there's one person you can always trust, yourself. However, this book isn't about who you can trust, it's about who you can't. Beneath all these techniques, there lies a common denominator, the enemy. Without this opposing force, none of the tactics would matter. Everyone could count on secrets not being spilled, lies to be banished, but I don't control human nature. Therefore, trust isn't always found and one must rely on the next best thing, espionage.
One item that interested me was the fake water bottle. To conceal something so valuable in something so ordinary is ironic. This shows that the simplest of things can be extraordinary.
This book would be significant from a funny book to a serious, helpful guide.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Campy, little book of office spying and basic arts of inter-office espionage (to help advance your career). While written as a bit of humor for office life. Sadly it can be used by those with less than honorable intentions towards their fellow office drones or employer(s).

I would see this as a actual handbook for winning against the problem people of the office where you work. However, the questionable legality of those actions could get you fired or worse depending on the reactions by those effected by following through with the methods described in this book.

Most likely, this book is sought after by back-stabbing office climbers, who want to get ahead on the misdeeds of others. Again there is the chance that this book is the right tool to keep those same miscreants in their place when trying to keep an office running smoothly by middle and upper management. So read and use at your own risk if you choose to.

[Rustam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like I need to read this. I probably mentored the guy who wrote this book, although, we'll never know for sure. Because we were using disguises, duh...office espionage.

[Erotic Horizon]

The Spy's Guide: Office Espionage by H Keith Melton (2003)

[Dominic · Rating 3 out of 5]

FREAKING AWESOME!

[Czarofthefrozentundra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought this was hilarious, then learned the authors were actually serious, which made it even more crazy. Great for people in business. At the same time, kinda scary....

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book. Some of the info is dated (it is a 10-year-old book), but interesting all the same.