Espionage

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-- From Judas to Francis Gray Powers, Bachrach traces the major names in espionage history, including Nathan Hale, Benedict Arnold, Allan Pinkerton, Edith Cavell, Mata Hari, the Rosenbergs, and Kim Philby. She defines her subject and makes a case for the necessity of the practice as well as its dangers. She points out how widespread, both geographically and historically, espionage is--in wartime and in peace. Succeeding chapters present chronological coverage of information that has been secretly obtained and used to change history up through the spring of 1992. Wide margins, clear print, and the use of relevant and appropriately placed (albeit often mediocre) black-and-white photographs and reproductions combine with the author's lucid writing to make this material easy to understand and accessible. Excellent quotations introduce each chapter. Espionage is less comprehensive than Herma Silverstein's Spies Among Us (Watts, 1988) and is for a slightly younger audience than Albert Marrin's The Secret Armies (Atheneum, 1985). An informative, well-organized series entry. --Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CA