Spies: The Secret Agents Who Changed the Course of History

by Ernest Volkman

"Intriguing." —Booklist "Ernest Volkman brings his subjects into full life in their world of espionage. Spies is a substantial addition to the already rich collection of titles under his name." —Ray S. Cline, President National Intelligence Study Center "A consistently absorbing and informative introduction to key players in the espionage game." —Kirkus Reviews Acclaimed author Ernest Volkman strips away the myths and Hollywood hype to reveal the human drama behind "the world’s second oldest profession"—espionage. Spies is the startling true story of the men and women whose daring feats of subterfuge have, for better or worse, irrevocably altered the course of history.

Genres: Espionage, History, Nonfiction

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Ernest Wyman Volkman was an American author, investigative reporter, and journalist who wrote about war, espionage, and the criminal underworld. Volkman was a 1959 graduate of Walt Whitman High School in South Huntington, New York, and attended Hofstra University.
A U.S. Army veteran, Volkman was also a military intelligence specialist and wrote many books on the subjects of spies and spying.

Reviews

[Erik Graff]

This book consists of short biographies of major American and European spies of the twentieth century and served mostly as a refresher.

[David]

Interesting book, although I'm not sure all his facts are right

He said Canaris had info about heydrich being 1/4 jew,
but later says his dossiers on Heydrich were never found,
so where did the info come from.

He gives credit for the chinese building the a-bomb to a chinese,
but the story I've read elsewhere is that the first thing Klaus Fuchs did after
getting out of prison, was to go to the chinese embassy in east Germany
and give them the plans.
More likely I think, given that Fuchs was the one who gave that to the russians.

Most of the stories were too short

[Dorothy Clark]

Well written stories of spies east and west, primarily through the two world wars. The subjects range from the well-known such as Kim Philby and Reinhard Heydrich to names you've never heard and complete amateurs like Ernest Hemingway, Graham Greene, and W. Somerset Maugham.

[Joni]

Interesting accounts of covert operations and spy campaigns. As with another of Volkman's books, I would've liked more details in some chapters but it was an interesting read nonetheless.

[Madison King]

It was very informative and entertaining, but some stories didn’t really need to be included, and there are a significant number of details that seem superfluous. Either way, I really enjoyed it!

[Maddie Olson]

Just marking this as read for my reading goal this year. Had to read this like 3 times for class and I know it was written before the internet but wow this needs some serious fact checking and reading it felt like I was having a stroke sometimes.

[Reader]

This is one of my top favorite espionage non-fiction books.

Anthony Blunt's decision to assist the KGB is particularly interesting. The author notes that "no official case could be brought against him", but does not explain the "why" of it.

I can explain it here: It's because by law to be considered an "active" agent you have to be an employee. Anthony Blunt was officially resigned. Therefore, he has the constitutional protection of a citizen and not that of an employee. Citizens have much more extensive rights than employees, because employees are held to oaths and waivers, and that they can be summoned at any time to be brought upon an inquiry of charges. As a citizen this cannot be done so easily. The law and defense was on his side.

[Lauren]

Includes biographies of major spies from many different countries. I enjoyed this book because it showed how smart some of these spies were, and were able to stay under the radar for so long, and then strike so fast. The book categorizes spies (like "Moles", or "Cryptographers") and gives a lengthy biography on each spy. It is amazing that the reporter that wrote this book was able to gather all the information on people that strove to be invisible! A fascinating read about the world of espionage.

[Joker]

Książka z 1996 roku. Tak więc informacje mogę być całkiem inne od tego, co znajdziemy w odtajnionych archiwach po tym czasie. Książka usiana jest wieloma ciekawostkami, np. Hemingway i jego misje, które miały na celu zatapiać U-booty. 41 szpiegów, którzy zmienili świat. Jedni byli zdrajcami, legendami, np. Mata Hari, pulchna Holenderka, która została wydana francuskiemu wywiadowi, poprzez swoją nauczycielkę, czyli Fraulein Doktor.

Książka jest raczej adresowana do osób, które interesują się tematyką wywiadowczą.

[Mik Sabiers]

Pretty good combination of short tales about different spies, from the great (???) to the not so good (actualy downright evil), would have been nice if networks were illustarted a bit more widely, but worth getting if you want a quick guide to some of the movers and shakers of the espionage industry in the 20th century.

[Sallyavena]

I've always loved books about spies. Not quite sure why, but I find it fascinating. This one was a quick read, broken up into different catagories of types of spies and their realavance to history. I learned some interesting things about spies and their places in history.

[Miriam]

Short stories.

[Maxo Marc]

A group of people who put it all on the line.

[Loren Martin]

An iteresting view on the soviets spy system