New Book Out: The Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception

[RickEverhart]

Just starting reading a fascinating new book regarding the C.I.A and American magician John Mulholland.

It is a book that discusses how Mulholland wrote manuals for American C.I.A agents to train them in magic techniques, deception, etc. for military and undercover purposes during the Cold War.

I'm only 15 pages in and this is outstanding and interesting.

 

[goku]

Why would the C.I.A need to know magic techniques?

 

[scarecrow1]

That sound pretty cool. I might check that out. Thanks for the heads up

Cheers

 

[RickEverhart]

This book explains exactly that. They wanted to be able to hand off items, pills, etc. to different agents without being noticed right in front of the public eye.

It goes on to discuss how weapons could be gimmicked and placed in objects that one would never suspect such as an umbrella, tube of toothpaste, or whatever else they could think up.

Like I said I am only 15 pages in but it seems very interesting.

It seems like a good read for magicians and anyone interested in espionage.

Here is the exact info: You might get a better description on a website with a summary.

The Official C.I.A Manual Of Trickery and Deception Declassified
Authors: H. Keith Melton and Robert Wallace

Cost: $24.99 at Borders Books

 

[RikAllen]

Houdini actually taught methods of escape to the government in case they were ever captured they'd have ways of getting out of tight jams/being tied up.

Magicians have been used quite a lot in the aid of secret CIA/FBI types of things, just knowing how our illusions are able to trick someone can help them out tremendously.

 

[RickEverhart]

I just thought I'd share this with you guys who enjoy reading and might need something to add to your X-mas list or just want to go out and buy it this weekend to read.

 

[RikAllen]

I just thought I'd share this with you guys who enjoy reading and might need something to add to your X-mas list or just want to go out and buy it this weekend to read.

I just might...but it'll be a while. I have 3 books already on a list to read before I can get a new one.

Will write this on the list though, as it seems interesting.

 

[Mr.Ection]

Im definitely going to have to look into this. Im very interested in both magic (obviously) and espionage. Thanks for posting this.

 

[James Smith]

Sounds like an interesting book, thanks for sharing.

In case anyone is having trouble finding it:

http://www.amazon.com/Official-CIA-...ef=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1257813253&sr=8-1-fkmr2

 

[Jv]

Sounds very interesting, I am to definitely look into this.

Thanks reverhart for sharing!

Inferno Kaiser

 

[demon5magic]

I'm going to look into this, I have an old copy of Mullholland's "book of magic" from the 60's. This sounds very cool, Mullholland is awesome.

 

[Flyspazz]

Good find Rev. I listened this morning to an interview Dodd Vickers did with the author.
Heres the link.
Looks like it will be an interesting read.

 

[praetoritevong]

Thanks for that, I will definitely look into it.