Published: 1 June 2008
Air & Space Power Journal - Summer 2008

Espionage: A Reference Handbook by Glenn Hastedt. ABC-CLIO (http://www.abc-clio.com), 130 Cremona Drive, Santa Barbara, California 93117, 2003, 225 pages, $45.00 (hardcover).

Author Glenn Hastedt’s theme throughout Espionage: A Reference Handbook is that espionage is the act of secretly collecting information—more commonly known to Americans as spying. Arguing that espionage and its inevitable partner, counterespionage, are central to a state’s national security, Hastedt skillfully explores numerous historical examples from the American Revolution to events subsequent to the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, tracing the evolution of intelligence-collections capabilities—particularly human intelligence (HUMINT). He demonstrates that from the Boston Tea Party to the Civil War, espionage has played a key role in the planning phases of combat. Indeed, protecting ourselves against national security threats has become a high priority. Hastedt uses historical examples to show how terrorism has made counterespionage crucial to the safety of our citizens and what can happen when we get it wrong.

We learn that the field of military intelligence and organizations such as the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Office of Strategic Services, and Central Intelligence Agency emerged to facilitate intelligence collection as a response to newfound requirements for secret information. Interestingly, Hastedt points out that many of these organizations came about as a result of trial and error. Following the discovery of weaknesses in various US government departments, new agencies seemed to evolve to compensate for the security threat or breach that might have occurred in the prior organizational structure.

Using biographical sketches of intelligence officers, key figures, and declassified cases, the author illustrates why spies do what they do, indicating that most are male and that they usually become involved in espionage because of issues related to money, women, and/or blackmail. Some people have spied for all three reasons, taking advantage of their security clearances, access codes, plans, and the trust of the American people to sell out the United States. Thus, espionage makes counterespionage necessary. Just as the United States uses its resources to gain valuable information about other nation-states, so do other entities spy on America. In most cases, US counterespionage initiatives lead to the capture of their agents.

Weaving a tapestry of HUMINT’s history from both an institutional and a personal perspective, Espionage presents its subject most effectively. I recommend it to anyone interested in the world of spying.

Maj Reginald L. Bullock, USAF
Air Force Fellow
Washington, DC

Disclaimer

The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.