Secret Agent's Handbook: The WWII Spy Manual of Devices, Disguises, Gadgets, and Concealed Weapons

by Roderick Bailey

Cloak-and-dagger escapades have long been a mainstay of film and literature, but the stuff of these movies and spy novels often had origins in real-life espionage. Originally used by British special operations agents to select weapons, gadgets, and disguises for their secret missions during World War II, this incredibly diverse manual illustrates actual techniques used during wartime. Featuring everything from exploding rats and Chianti bottles to shoes that leave barefoot prints and incendiary cigarettes and briefcases, this is an astounding look at the state of espionage during the war and the ingenuity of scientists and spies.

Hardcover

First published February 1, 2010