Spies and Traitors (Fact or Fiction) - Softcover

Stewart Ross

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140385266 ISBN 13: 9780140385267

Publisher: Puffin Books, 1997

Synopsis

Incredible and true stories about some of the world's most famous spies and secret agents includes profiles of Mata Hari, Kim Philby, and Robert Lee Johnson.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-8?Using a format similar to that of the "Eyewitness" books, this offering is an unsuccessful attempt to give an overview of the world of espionage in the past and present. The arrangement is loosely chronological. Each double-page spread contains a paragraph of text, supported by numerous full-color and black-and-white illustrations and photographs, all with lengthy captions. The emphasis is on Europeans, with no mention of such famous American spies or assassins as Benedict Arnold or John Wilkes Booth. Americans receive more coverage in the pages dealing with the periods during and since World War II. So many names, dates, and places are mentioned that it is difficult to keep them straight. The format does not allow for any depth of information. Such cursory coverage presumes a working knowledge of world history dating back to the Middle Ages. It is disconcerting that while the text pooh-poohs television and movie portrayals of traitors and spies, the illustrations include many movie clips. Both male and female spies are discussed, and sex is mentioned several times as a way to gain secrets. There is also a totally unnecessary reference to J. Edgar Hoover's enjoyment of dressing in women's underwear. While the topic is appealing, this brief, spotty presentation does nothing to whet readers' appetites for learning more about it.?Peg Glisson, Dewitt Road School, Webster, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0140385266
• ISBN 13: 9780140385267
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 48