Espionage: An Encyclopedia Of Spies And Secrets by Richard M. Bennett
01/10/2002 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
Pub: Virgin Books. 371 page hardback. Price: £20.00(UK), $29.95(US). ISBN: 1-85227-942-7. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. Before anyone says it, I'll do it for
you: 'Just what does a book on current day reality espionage doing
in a Science Fiction review column?'
Spying and other such skulduggery is frequently employed in SF.
Close to home current day reality with an SF twist frequently uses
it as well.
 Having
an up-to-date book on the subject that outlines the secret services
of most countries before and after last year's 11 September attack
on the Twin Towers in New York makes this a handy volume to have
in your hands.
Even more so when this book goes paperback. As it got plaudits
from the 'Eye Spy' magazine who must see all sorts of books, made
me want to seek it out. [I do buy some of the books I review!]
Apart from the various countries, there are case histories of various
significant people within the community, various slang used - although
it's a shame that an overall glossary wasn't provided and all kinds
of other stuff.
You won't find anything regarding Mata Hari and you really do have
to look for reference to espionage fiction writers - see 'Literary
Spies' - to find the good ones had connection to the secret service.
I found this an interesting book reading from cover to cover but
I suspect those of you who will buy this book will use it purely
as a reference book. There is a tiny bibliography of books the author
found useful plus a list of useful websites.
If you're an ardent research of anything that might help with such
a background then this book deserves to be on your shelf.
GF Willmetts
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