Handbook for Spies

by Alexander Foote

HANDBOOK FOR SPIES. This book is unique

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Espionage

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 17, 2011

Reviews

[Shane]

Poorly written but an insightful snapshot of life as a Communist spy based in Switzerland during the war. Full of tradecraft but not the type you see on the big screen, the mundane kind of stuff that keeps an agent from getting exposed.

If you are a budding spy novelist, I recommend Handbook for Spies to help you write your books, that is if you want to write about real spies and not special forces characters that masquerade as spies in many of today's so-called 'spy thrillers.'

An extra point of interest is Foote's life intersecting with that of spy Ursula Burton, known to the author as Sonya. Ben Macintyre tells her story in his most recent work 'Agent Sonya.'

[Royce Ratterman]

This window into the world of espionage from the past is a great resource for the writer and/or ghost author. Life as an actual spy is far less romantic and definitely unrelated to the film versions presented to a action-film-hungry populous. I particularly enjoyed the sections on his life in Russia. I found this book of inspiration and a fine contribution to my research. Overall, this work is a superb resource for other researchers, enthusiasts and historians. A great companion to go with:
-The Spycatcher's Encyclopedia of Espionage
-Spycatcher: The Candid Autobiography of a Senior Intelligence Officer
-Breaking Cover-My Secret Life in the CIA and What It Taught Me About What's Worth Fighting For
-Sylvia Rafael: The Life and Death of a Mossad Spy

[William A.]

Fascinating tale of an adventurous young Brit who volunteers to fight for the Republicans during the Spanish Civil War. His side is dominated by communists and he is a leftie by leaning so is accepted as a fellow traveler and recruited into Red Army Intelligence. He has an amazingly successful career filled with harrowing episodes. Unlike most Red Army spies of the era he lived to tell the story which is a must-read for anyone who likes spy stores. This one is more thrilling than any fiction!