Ernest Hemingway: A Hidden Spy Past
Hemingway in the cabin of his boat Pilar, off the coast of Cuba, c. 1950 Ernest Hemingway, a celebrated American author, is known for his novels and literary contributions. However, a…
Roald Dahl: Renowned Author and World War II Spy
Roald Dahl in 1954. Roald Dahl was born on September 13, 1916, in Cardiff, Wales, to Norwegian immigrant parents. He experienced a challenging childhood, losing both his sister and father…
The Shōninki: Natori Masatake’s Treatise on the Ninja’s Craft
Nishinomaru and Fukiage, residences of the three Tokugawa families (17th century). The Shōninki is an intriguing manuscript that offers an unparalleled insight into the realm of the shinobi, also known…
The Shinobi Hiden: Insights into the Secrets of Ninjutsu
Hand-drawn historic illustration of a ninja from circa 1770 (Meiwa era). The Shinobi Hiden or Legends of Ninja Secrets, also known as the Ninpiden, is a significant historical text in…
Adolf Tolkachev: The Billion Dollar Spy
Adolf Tolkachev Adolf Georgiyevich Tolkachev, born on January 6, 1927, in Aktyubinsk, Aktobe Region, Kazakh SSR, USSR, was Soviet electronics engineer who played a pivotal role in the Cold War.…
The Devil’s Brigade: The First Special Service Force
Personnel of the FSSF being briefed prior to setting out on a patrol, Anzio beachhead, Italy. The First Special Service Force (FSSF), also known as the “Devil’s Brigade” or as…
From Russia with Secrets: The Mitrokhin Archive
The Lubyanka building (former KGB headquarters) in Moscow. Credit: A. Savin / CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED. The “Mitrokhin Archive” is a vast collection of handwritten notes, primary sources, and official…
Allen Dulles: The Spy Who Captured an Army
From left to right: CIA Director Allen Dulles with CIA Counter-insurgency expert Colonel Edward Lansdale, U.S Air Force Chief of Staff General Nathan F. Twining, and CIA Deputy Director Lieutenant…
The Bansenshūkai: Ninja Tactics & Philosophy of Espionage
Bansenshukai. The Bansenshukai contains a collection of knowledge from the clans in the Iga and Kōga regions. They were devoted to ninja training. Credit: Motokoka / CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED.…
Skybound: The CIA’s Pioneering Role in the Evolution of HALO
U.S. Navy SEALS conducting HALO training. U.S. Navy photo (Released). The 1960s marked a significant era in the history of military operations, with the formal development and widespread adoption of…