- Hardcover: 248 pages
- Publisher: William Morrow & Company (3 Nov 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0061725897
- ISBN-13: 978-0061725890
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 462,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Magic or spycraft? In 1953, against the backdrop of the Cold War, the CIA initiated a top-secret program, code-named MKULTRA, to counter Soviet mind-control and interrogation techniques. Realizing that clandestine officers might need to covertly deploy newly developed pills, potions, and powders against the adversary, the CIA hired America's most famous magician, John Mulholland, to write two manuals on sleight of hand and undercover communication techniques.
In 1973, virtually all documents related to MKULTRA were destroyed. Mulholland's manuals were thought to be among them—until a single surviving copy of each, complete with illustrations, was recently discovered in the agency's archives.
The manuals reprinted in this work represent the only known complete copy of Mulholland's instructions for CIA officers on the magician's art of deception and secret communications.
About the Author
H. Keith Melton, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is an intelligence historian and a specialist in clandestine technology and espionage "tradecraft." He is the author of several books, including CIA Special Weapons and Equipment, Clandestine Warfare, and The Ultimate Spy Book.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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The best thing about this book is the cover. The rest of the book is 'hackneyed' and unbelievably full of cliche's.
The so-called techniqiues must have been thought up by someone who watched too many 'Man from UNCLE' episodes.
Real gems like 'How to fold a sheet of A4 with one hand' and how to pick up a sheet of paper using a book with the back covered in wax.
Really? This is CIA training ? Covert techniques marked secret ?
I don't think so. This is more like a 12 year old's magic trick set and even then you'd be dissapointed. Don't waste your money.
The so-called techniqiues must have been thought up by someone who watched too many 'Man from UNCLE' episodes.
Real gems like 'How to fold a sheet of A4 with one hand' and how to pick up a sheet of paper using a book with the back covered in wax.
Really? This is CIA training ? Covert techniques marked secret ?
I don't think so. This is more like a 12 year old's magic trick set and even then you'd be dissapointed. Don't waste your money.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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Most people have some degree of interest in another person's secrets and that's what might attract them to a book like this. I had high hopes of real insight into the world of magic and espionage but regret to say that this book doesn't deliver on its promises. Despite an intriguing cover and a good concept it failed to interest me for the most part with only one or two items that I found worthwhile, and although I managed to read it all of the way through by the time I got there I really wished that I hadn't bothered.
There are people who could appreciate a book like this but I'm certainly not one of them. Had I been a twelve year old boy then I might have taken great delight in passing this around the playground, but otherwise I would say that it is of limited appeal.
There are people who could appreciate a book like this but I'm certainly not one of them. Had I been a twelve year old boy then I might have taken great delight in passing this around the playground, but otherwise I would say that it is of limited appeal.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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I ordered this book thinking that it would be like the other 'Ministry of Information' type books which have come onto the market recently. However, this one is slightly different. It purports to be an instruction manual for the CIA, using sleight of hand (magic tricks and illusion) as a means of concealing secret equipment. It also deals with how tablets, powders and liquids should be handled (poisoning) and my personal favourite, "Special Aspects of Deception for Woman". Mata Hari impressions, here we come!!
It should be borne in mind that this book is described as the only known complete copy of Mulholland's instructions to CIA officers on the art of deception. Some of the language may seem a bit dated, such as the descriptions of what could be hidden in a handkerchief. But on reading the book, one can't help but be amazed at how simple sleight of hand and illusion could be used in such a dark manner. The secret handling of liquids for example leads to the reasonable conclusion that this could be used for poison.
It is for this reason that this book deserves a 5 star rating. It needs to be read bearing in mind the time it was written, the height of the Cold War. There was a very real concern that covert agents might be put at risk by some of the techniques used. With illustrations of Russian devices used for concealment, this was clearly a very real threat. As an example of the things that could be achieved, in a time before the technology that seems so commonplace now, this book is surely an important resource.
It may be that is a complete spoof, but even if it is, it is worth reading, just for the ingeniousness within.
It should be borne in mind that this book is described as the only known complete copy of Mulholland's instructions to CIA officers on the art of deception. Some of the language may seem a bit dated, such as the descriptions of what could be hidden in a handkerchief. But on reading the book, one can't help but be amazed at how simple sleight of hand and illusion could be used in such a dark manner. The secret handling of liquids for example leads to the reasonable conclusion that this could be used for poison.
It is for this reason that this book deserves a 5 star rating. It needs to be read bearing in mind the time it was written, the height of the Cold War. There was a very real concern that covert agents might be put at risk by some of the techniques used. With illustrations of Russian devices used for concealment, this was clearly a very real threat. As an example of the things that could be achieved, in a time before the technology that seems so commonplace now, this book is surely an important resource.
It may be that is a complete spoof, but even if it is, it is worth reading, just for the ingeniousness within.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Real-life James Bond
I bought this as a Christmas present for a young relative who likes spy-thrillers and it seemed to go down well. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Samuel N Rex
very very odd
First off its a great collection of information on the workings of the CIA in days gone by, the book looks great and feels nice. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. M. Regan
Interesting ...
While there wasn't much information here that I think would be new to anyone with an interest in this topic ... Read more
Published 7 months ago by N. Gratton
Surely this is a spoof?
This is a fun spook book, a great little present for someone on their birthday or similar occasion. I'm a little concerned that so many of the reviews here are falling in line with... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. M. E. Merritt
A Waste of Money
It is so outdated it would not even be used for a James Bond film. It is hard to believe that it is a serious book. Read more
Published 9 months ago by P. Waller
A bit disappointing - hard to believe it's really a CIA training book
This is the sort of stuff I used to find back in the 1950s in children's books with titles like '100 things a boy can do'. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Peter Coupe
Old Skool Derren Brown
Great little book with info on how to be a Sean Connery era James Bond - to spike your enemies - reads like a 50s version of Derren Brown
Published 12 months ago by J. S. Meins
Don't expect a fun read
I've had to read dozens of official documents - Data Protection Act, Computer Misuse Act being just two of the latest, so I pretty much knew what to expect from this. Read more
Published 13 months ago by P. W. Bentley
Didn't like it
I have to admit that when I ordered this book, I was under the impression that it was a spoof, certainly by the look of the cover. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. Dk Hamm
Surprisingly Dull
I thought this would be fascinating but unfortunately it was rather dull - the first 70 pages or so give a condensed history of how magic was used in conjunction with espionage,... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Princess Mononoke
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