Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence and Security [Hardcover]

K. Lee Lerner (Editor), Brenda Wilmoth Lerner (Editor)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1300 pages
• Publisher: Gale; 1 edition (November 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787675466
• ISBN-13: 978-0787675462
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9 x 3.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,853,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent general reference resource!, February 9, 2004

By 

Winston Bloom (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence and Security (Hardcover)

Of the approximately 800 to 850 articles in this set, I have reviewed nearly forty entries across a range of subtopics. Although I find the A-Z format to be cumbersome when attempting to link information related to a particular topic, the overall organization is logical and friendly to the average reader. The photos and article content make the set as readable as many single topic books. It is hard to turn the page without finding interesting or valuable reading on a topic recently in the news.

The set is at its best when tackling science and technology related topics. Written and edited by scientists and teachers for the general public, the articles often take the space to explain fundamental science concepts and how they relate to emerging security related technologies. The science articles are first-rate and show consistent effort to make tough and complex topics understandable.

The books set a modest goal of portraying the impact of modern science and technology on security issues, but the editors and writers achieve more by including interesting short articles on historical topics that also emphasize the impact of the science and technology on the history of espionage and intelligence. The selection of articles shows a crafted regard not to tread the well-worn path of prior books on spycraft, and the omissions allow the authors to explore fresh angles to old stories. While the political and historical articles often seem condensed, and in places oversimplified, they add readability, usefulness, and context to the more technical articles.

The non-science writing is utilitarian, but having the wide range of topics related to countries and organizations in one set is handy. Although certain articles may subtly convey a particular author's bias, the overall tone of the book is decidedly balanced and fair. In fact, although apparently written before the conclusion of the recent war in Iraq, and the rise of issues related to the search for WMD stockpiles, the book exhibits an eerie insight into the complexities of the intelligence issues and failures related the current WMD controversy.

This is an excellent general resource for high school students and the general public. The books are a sound starter resource for undergraduate students. Libraries, newsrooms, and emergency planners would find this encyclopedia a worthwhile investment.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Global perspective and coverage of US security issues, February 16, 2004

By 

Alain Revel (San Francisco and Lyon (France)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence and Security (Hardcover)

I might knock a star or two off of the Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence, and Security if the books were intended for graduate students or intended as a substitute for professional level publications by security specialists, but there are few resources in this area that bring such clear writing and scientific expertise to younger students and the general public. The books are written from a global perspective (the editors are in the U.K. and the advisory board is diverse and internationally based), and touch on global issues and organizations. These books also offer excellent insight into the tumultuous reorganization of the United States security agencies and the complexities of problems brought about by the concept of homeland security. The typical Anti-American/pro-European world view is restrained, and criticism is directed at organizations, agencies, and politics on both sides of the Atlantic. It is refreshing to see a resource on this topic written by scientists and teachers rather than another insider "tell all." There are some errors and omissions (I would have liked to have seen greater coverage of Asian issues), but it is good to discover a resource in this area that is dedicated to fact rather than opinion. Perhaps most important for students is that the editors and publishers were unselfish in directing readers to excellent outside resources for more advanced study. The reference resources, especially the glossary, included at the end of each volume are outstanding and helpful to all students and researchers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good coverage of bioscience topics, February 11, 2004

By 

John Roberts (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence and Security (Hardcover)

I found articles with which I agreed and disagreed, but I appreciated that the book attempted not to pander to special interests, and avoided straying too far right or left politically. The emphasis on the importance of the biosciences, especially biometrics and genetics, makes the books valuable and interesting. The publisher was brave on two counts, for attempting these books during turbulent times where the "facts" and names of agencies seem to change every day, and for tackling tough and intricate topics in way that they challenge but do not overwhelm the average reader.