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The Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception
Once a top-secret training manual for CIA field agents in the early Cold War Era of the 1950s, The Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception is now available to the general public. An amazing historical artifact, this eye-opening handbook offered step-by-step instructions to covert intelligence operatives in all manner of sleight of hand and trickery designed to thwart the Communist enemy. Part of the Company’s infamous MK-ULTRA—a secret mind-control and chemical interrogation research program—this legendary document, the brainchild of John Mulholland, then America’s most famous magician, was believed lost forever. But thanks to former CIA gadgeteer Bob Wallace and renowned spycraft historian H. Keith Melton, The Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception is now available to everyone, spy and civilian alike.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
January 18, 2010
The first half of this book is actually a history of the program and the magician who created the manual. That is the better half of the book, and quite fascinating, at least for someone who, like me, has little knowledge of CIA programs in the early Cold War era. I got the book because of my interest in the history of magic, and it didn't disappoint. The manual itself is VERY elementary, and gets a bit boring if you don't actually care about how to make a hollow pencil to carry powders to slip into someone's drink. But even in the midst of very dry how-to descriptions are some beautiful glimpses into the mannerisms, clothing, and small talk that were assumed to be "natural" in the 1950s.
July 26, 2011
In terms of entertainment, the very lengthy introduction in this book is better than the declassified MKULTRA era manuscript it headlines. Many interesting details about the CIA during the MKULTRA years are discussed, including strange ones, such as the CIA use of prostitutes to lure Johns into motel rooms under surveillence so agents could record the Johns' reaction to various mind altering drugs like LSD. The introduction alone is a must-read for any spy, CIA, or conspiracy geek. Although, a short internet search on the subject of MKULTRA would reveal a far more sinister, and disturbing look into the CIA than this book would ever hint at.
That's the main trouble with this book. I didn't think it could be at all possible to sanitize and neuter the very idea of the MKULTRA project, which included disturbing studies of brainwashing on unwilling and unwitting subjects, some experimented on in mental hospitals, and taken from their own families. This book has done just that. By touting the glaring "declassfied" badge on its front cover, and breathlessly declaring how the manuscript within was one of the very few to escape the massive destruction of documents that almost erased the MKULTRA project, one is drawn easily into reading it with a racing pulse and shaking hands.
The declassified manuscript is a how-to manual commissioned by the CIA from a successful and well written magician named John Mullholland. In sterile courier font, and as clearly as it possibly can, it painstakingly covers various sleight of hand tricks an undercover agent can do to pass along notes, steal small objects, and drug unsuspecting enemies drinks. They're pretty fun ideas for a party trick nowadays, or a pretty terrifying how-to manual on how to slip a gal a roofie. There is even a special section for the ladies! A giggle or two was spent on reading the passages Mullholland pens, almost apologetic in noting that a female agent can probably go undetected easier than a man because a man won't expect much from a woman anyway. At least try to tackle those passages with a bit of humor and you should get through it.
All in all, I found this an enjoyable read, not particularly a great read, and I was very disappointed in having such a bland payoff for all the hype. I am a sucker for books that reflect the flavor of their times, however, and in fact, this was not much of a different read than say, a good manners manual from the 1930's.
That's the main trouble with this book. I didn't think it could be at all possible to sanitize and neuter the very idea of the MKULTRA project, which included disturbing studies of brainwashing on unwilling and unwitting subjects, some experimented on in mental hospitals, and taken from their own families. This book has done just that. By touting the glaring "declassfied" badge on its front cover, and breathlessly declaring how the manuscript within was one of the very few to escape the massive destruction of documents that almost erased the MKULTRA project, one is drawn easily into reading it with a racing pulse and shaking hands.
The declassified manuscript is a how-to manual commissioned by the CIA from a successful and well written magician named John Mullholland. In sterile courier font, and as clearly as it possibly can, it painstakingly covers various sleight of hand tricks an undercover agent can do to pass along notes, steal small objects, and drug unsuspecting enemies drinks. They're pretty fun ideas for a party trick nowadays, or a pretty terrifying how-to manual on how to slip a gal a roofie. There is even a special section for the ladies! A giggle or two was spent on reading the passages Mullholland pens, almost apologetic in noting that a female agent can probably go undetected easier than a man because a man won't expect much from a woman anyway. At least try to tackle those passages with a bit of humor and you should get through it.
All in all, I found this an enjoyable read, not particularly a great read, and I was very disappointed in having such a bland payoff for all the hype. I am a sucker for books that reflect the flavor of their times, however, and in fact, this was not much of a different read than say, a good manners manual from the 1930's.
December 29, 2009
This book did a few things for me. It relieved me of minor wallet congestion by installing a leak where $20 used to be. It also gave me pause to think that if any of this crap was used in the era when we risked obliteration by the Soviets, it damn well might have come from their intense boredom of what we classified.
This book wraps a piece of accidentally un-destroyed info in hard cover, adds a few chapters of what-we-once-did crap from the files of Wikipedia, and masterfully uses internet buzz to get the attention of those who had hoped for more and were silly enough to enter a credit card number. Poof! $20 gone! (Color me impressed.)
The 'discovered' part of the book reads like a cheap Boy Scout merit badge book on espionage, complete with signaling information, a modest amount of 'top secret' stage magician stuff, and abundant instruction of how to drop Roofies in your date's gin and tonic. If you need to do that, this is your book.
I'd throw it away, but I am afraid some poor sod would find it and blame me.
Save your money. Read 'The Puzzle Palace', read about E-Systems or Blackwater. Read the phonebook. Ick.
This book wraps a piece of accidentally un-destroyed info in hard cover, adds a few chapters of what-we-once-did crap from the files of Wikipedia, and masterfully uses internet buzz to get the attention of those who had hoped for more and were silly enough to enter a credit card number. Poof! $20 gone! (Color me impressed.)
The 'discovered' part of the book reads like a cheap Boy Scout merit badge book on espionage, complete with signaling information, a modest amount of 'top secret' stage magician stuff, and abundant instruction of how to drop Roofies in your date's gin and tonic. If you need to do that, this is your book.
I'd throw it away, but I am afraid some poor sod would find it and blame me.
Save your money. Read 'The Puzzle Palace', read about E-Systems or Blackwater. Read the phonebook. Ick.
July 22, 2023
Can you say… COLD WAR..
It takes a Magician and even now did anyone consider…. That dam bear dancing across the stage and how many people are in jail because of “eye witnesses”
It takes a Magician and even now did anyone consider…. That dam bear dancing across the stage and how many people are in jail because of “eye witnesses”
July 17, 2012
كتاب فقير جدّاً جدّاً جدّاً ويعتمد بشكل كبير على العنوان المشوّق والذي يعد بكشف خدع وحيل بوليسيّة مشوّقة لكن القارئ موعود بخيبة أمل كبيرة أثناء القراءةبسبب ضعف وبساطة أسلوب الكاتبين (وزادت الترجمة الطين بلّة) , كان كتاباً ثقيلاً جدّاً.
April 22, 2018
اقتنيت الكتاب كهدية من العارض في معرض القاهرة الدولي للكتاب ، و بعد القراءة تلقى في ذهني المثل المصري " لو فيه خير ما كان رماه الطير ". مجرد مضيعة للوقت كتاب تافهة تجاري و سخيف العنوان خادع جداً ، الحمدلله اني لما اشتره لكنت متحسراً نادماً على مالٍ اهُدر
August 22, 2012
أبسط ما يمكن وصف محتواه بالسخف .. لا أظن أن الـ CIAأنفسهم موافقين على تصويرهم بهذه السذاجة !!
نصيحة: لا تغترّ أبدا بعنوان الكتاب
نصيحة: لا تغترّ أبدا بعنوان الكتاب
February 16, 2018
BOOOOOOOOOOOOORING
January 6, 2024
The chapter about history was more interesting than the manual. I was expecting more about psychological factors than a guide to slight of hand tricks.
November 9, 2011
No, this isn't a book that reveals CIA secrets... per se. I love history, and I love some of the "black" history even more. Black meaning covert government programs that were all rage during the cold war. I don't know, but I have to think that other than terrorism, a lot of the covert programs just aren't as much fun as they used to be! The book chronicles the use of modern (of their time) master magicians to help the CIA learn how to master trickery and deception in their spying activities. How cool is that for a premise.
This is a very easy read and a fun book on how the CIA has done some of its magic in the past. Most of the items in the book can be found on the Internet, but if you go that route, you'll miss some.
One of my favorite quotes: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" - Ya gotta love it!
This is a very easy read and a fun book on how the CIA has done some of its magic in the past. Most of the items in the book can be found on the Internet, but if you go that route, you'll miss some.
One of my favorite quotes: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" - Ya gotta love it!
December 8, 2009
The back story on this book is an intriguing one, but in no way deserving of the 80+ repetitive pages of foreword and introduction before actually getting to the declassified material. The techniques of trickery themselves are quite interesting, but frankly, I couldn't bring myself to spend the time to finish it. All in all, I'd say this book is worth skimming, but not digesting in depth. In fact, I dare say that the very best thing about this book is its art design.
July 6, 2021
Ponderous Meets Poppycock
If I were in grade school, this book would bore me. I'm reading about 50 books a year, and this garbage got in my way. If I were an imbecile, this would make for interesting reading. But my brain is larger than a pea. Therefore, I must reject this heap of word-jumble for what it is: the remains of a bowel movement.
If I were in grade school, this book would bore me. I'm reading about 50 books a year, and this garbage got in my way. If I were an imbecile, this would make for interesting reading. But my brain is larger than a pea. Therefore, I must reject this heap of word-jumble for what it is: the remains of a bowel movement.
October 6, 2018
This is interesting history. The first part tells the story/history of the manual, then the rest is the manual. I like the history. Manual not as much. Not a waste of time, but more a curiosity. Should be of interest to those who like magic. Close up magic especially.
February 6, 2017
The first half of the book is informative and well written, the second half - the actual declassified manual - is exceedingly dry, repetitive, and not terribly enlightening.
August 20, 2017
All about what should be obvious, in painstaking detail.
October 31, 2018
كتاب سخيف جدا
October 29, 2020
Have just retrained my self some Scout signallings, but more sophisticated and full of deception. Covert signals with package’s ribbons and bows, shoelaces, colored pens, rubber bands, and buttons are quite old school but will be useful in time of total darkness.
My favourite quote I found in the book was on Houdini and magic tricks: “the proper secret..to use is the one indicated as best under the conditions and circumstances of the performance.” This is so freakin deep for a streetwise like me. Been searching this kind of sentence to express what we’ve been learned on the streets for more than 9 years.
Chapter VI, you will find it interesting because it discusses how manners for woman are more restrictive and rigid than are those for men. It surely does root in the paternalistic world, where in parts of the world, cultures restrict women to do, to carry, to dress, and to speak very differently than in country where gender disparity is less wide. So, the key takeaway is that it is essential for (women) trickster to inform him/herself with all taboos in where he/she is to operate. It reminds me the first time I landed in Bali Island back in 2007.
The rest of the book is just technicalities.
My favourite quote I found in the book was on Houdini and magic tricks: “the proper secret..to use is the one indicated as best under the conditions and circumstances of the performance.” This is so freakin deep for a streetwise like me. Been searching this kind of sentence to express what we’ve been learned on the streets for more than 9 years.
Chapter VI, you will find it interesting because it discusses how manners for woman are more restrictive and rigid than are those for men. It surely does root in the paternalistic world, where in parts of the world, cultures restrict women to do, to carry, to dress, and to speak very differently than in country where gender disparity is less wide. So, the key takeaway is that it is essential for (women) trickster to inform him/herself with all taboos in where he/she is to operate. It reminds me the first time I landed in Bali Island back in 2007.
The rest of the book is just technicalities.
March 24, 2023
Once a top secret manual thought to have been lost, this declassified work detailing the ‘how to’ for sleight of hand and trickery that made the CIA operatives during the Cold War struggle against the Soviets winnable. The history of the manual’s construction was the brainchild of early 20th century magician John Mulholland, and the evolution of techniques he, and likes of Houdini, are described in fascinating detail. Step by step instructions for both men and women, and their assistants, as applicable, instruct them on how to steal, plant, and exchange all manner of items using deception, their hands, casual mannerisms, their clothing (pockets, sleeves, etc.), and the like. Trinkets such as containers for carrying liquids, a rat’s body (sans organs), and specially milled coins also convey items like notes and microfilm. A perfect book for those interested in the history of the Cold War and intelligence gathering techniques.
August 2, 2019
This was mainly interesting in that it may actually exist. If it does, it's a pretty silly manual of real magicians' secrets applied to highly unlikely espionage situations. On second thought, these are exactly the kinds of stupid things the CIA used to try and assassinate Castro... exploding cigars, rings with secret poison reservoirs, etc. The chances of agents sitting down and learning these techniques seems pretty slim, not that they might not work as magic tricks, but that they might not work as spy craft. This is full of the lowest Spy vs Spy sort of spycraft silliness.
November 8, 2019
The introduction is very interesting! The part that the book is ACTUALLY about is not very interesting, and much too specific and long-lipped. The text was never meant to be published for large audiences, and that’s why it’s kind of a snore (a real book would have been edited by an editor, and that would’ve helped side step these mines). Also, the book is very old, so most of the tricks aren’t applicable anymore (eg you can’t smoke inside anymore and almost nobody smokes plus women actually CAN pull out their own chairs and have credible skills beyond ”looking blank”).
September 22, 2017
not an awful read but quite tedious and repetitive at times the introduction is quite interesting but once you get to the meat of the story it gets dull pretty quick it's a tad bit dating as one would imagine but I'm not really counting that against it you may or may not like it it was kind of boring to me. but it could the interesting to you especially if you are into this sort of thing
January 27, 2021
The history is interesting. The "trickery" is interesting, but offset by the writing. To quote the author of the manual (page 91), "At this point (very possibly at an earlier paragraph) the reader comes to the conclusion that the writer is extremely verbose in explaining a few simple points." I could not have said it better. But I could have said it shorter.
January 20, 2019
The techniques outlined in this book range from the idiotic to the mildly interesting. The most interesting aspect of it is the cultural commentary on gender from Mulholland’s perspective; times have certainly changed since this was written.
February 18, 2021
An entertaining preface but the body of the text is dull stuff about how to slip a pill into someone's martini, and so on. The close quarters "trickery" is far more entertainingly conveyed in The Americans tbh.
April 3, 2021
This declassified manual from the 1950s (seemingly) accurately identifies the following problem for lady spies: "Depending on the type of attire, women have no pockets at all or very few. And women's pockets are always the wrong size and construction."
July 12, 2020
Not very good, but it's a fun history lesson.
January 6, 2022
"Los mejores trucos de magia de la guerra fría"
Interesante como pensaba la CIA y como utilizaba los trucos de magia para su ventaja.
por cierto, no es lo que esperaba.
Interesante como pensaba la CIA y como utilizaba los trucos de magia para su ventaja.
por cierto, no es lo que esperaba.
January 10, 2023
What a fun wednesday evening read for an unsettled mind.
February 1, 2023
Fascinating book. But you'd have to enjoy the subject matter to enjoy the book. That is a must.
April 6, 2023
Treachery and deceit. This who is running our gubment. They use this stuff on US citizens more than people who are supposed to be our adversaries.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews