Spycraft cover art

Spycraft

Tricks and Tools of the Dangerous Trade from Elizabeth I to the Restoration

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Spycraft

By: Pete Langman, Nadine Akkerman
Narrated by: Nan McNamara
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About this listen

A fascinating exploration of the devious tricks and ingenious tools used by early modern spies—from ciphers to counterfeiting, invisible inks to assassination

Early modern Europe was a hotbed of espionage, where spies, spy-catchers, and conspirators pitted their wits against each other in deadly games of hide and seek. Theirs was a dangerous trade—only those who mastered the latest techniques would survive.

In this engaging, accessible account, Nadine Akkerman and Pete Langman explore the methods spies actually used in the period, including disguises, invisible inks, and even poisons. Drawing on a vast array of archival sources, they show how understanding the tricks and tools of espionage allows us to reimagine well-known stories such as the Babington and Gunpowder plots. Exposing the murky world of spies, they demonstrate how the technological innovations of petty criminals, secretaries, and other hitherto invisible actors shaped the fate of some of history's most iconic figures.

Spycraft explains how early modern spies sought to protect their own secrets while exposing those of their enemies, showing the listener how to follow in their footsteps.

©2024 Nadine Akkerman and Pete Langman (P)2024 Tantor Europe Freedom & Security Great Britain Politics & Government Renaissance Espionage

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I don't think this book works well as an audio book. there's a lot of detailed information and continual referral to graphics the aren't available to audio book users. it would have been much better if these could be viewed on a separate website.

I liked the idea of of the history of spying

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What a wonderful book! Well read and fascinating from cover to cover. Learn about cyphers, fiendishly complex ways to fold a letter, codes and invisible ink in this fascinating description of early modern spycraft. I thoroughly recommend it

Great Academic Sleuthing Has Revealed How Spies Spied in the Past

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