What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dark Game: True Spy Stories from Invisible Ink to CIA Moles
From clothesline codes to surveillance satellites and cyber espionage, Paul B. Janeczko uncovers two centuries� worth of true spy stories in U.S. history.
Ever since George Washington used them to help topple the British, spies and their networks have helped and hurt America at key moments in history. In this fascinating collection, Paul B. Janeczko probes such stories as that of Elizabeth Van Lew, an aristocrat whose hatred of slavery drove her to be one of the most successful spies in the Civil War; the "Choctaw code talkers," Native Americans who were instrumental in sending secret messages during World War I; the staggering engineering behind a Cold War tunnel into East Berlin to tap Soviet phones (only to be compromised by a Soviet mole); and many more famous and less-known examples. Colorful personalities, daring missions, the feats of the loyal, and the damage of traitors are interspersed with a look at the technological advances that continue to change the rules of gathering intelligence.
Ever since George Washington used them to help topple the British, spies and their networks have helped and hurt America at key moments in history. In this fascinating collection, Paul B. Janeczko probes such stories as that of Elizabeth Van Lew, an aristocrat whose hatred of slavery drove her to be one of the most successful spies in the Civil War; the "Choctaw code talkers," Native Americans who were instrumental in sending secret messages during World War I; the staggering engineering behind a Cold War tunnel into East Berlin to tap Soviet phones (only to be compromised by a Soviet mole); and many more famous and less-known examples. Colorful personalities, daring missions, the feats of the loyal, and the damage of traitors are interspersed with a look at the technological advances that continue to change the rules of gathering intelligence.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2010
95 people are currently reading
609 people want to read
About the author
Paul B. Janeczko
64Ìýbooks47ÌýfollowersPaul B. Janeczko is a poet and teacher and has edited more than twenty award-winning poetry anthologies for young people, including STONE BENCH IN AN EMPTY PARK, LOOKING FOR YOUR NAME, SEEING THE BLUE BETWEEN, and A POKE IN THE I, which was an American Library Association Notable Book.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
May 3, 2013
This is by no means a complete history of espionage, but it doesn't try to be. It's a brief overview of some very cool spy stories, almost entirely American. Janeczko is at his best when he's writing the specific stories of individuals and small groups. And honestly, that's when the espionage gets the most interesting. Take the story of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Pujol_Garcia>Joan Pujol Garcia, a World War II double agent so convincing that he got an Iron Cross. To my mind, Janeczko was writing at the level of teenaged readers, without talking down to them, so huge bonus points for that. The Cold War chapter does tend to get a bit dry and lacks the human interest of earlier chapters, and naturally the book has to cut off well before any of us would like. Both are most likely due to the lack of declassified sources. I personally could have done with a bit more background information in each chapter, and there's a big jump between the Civil War and World War I (and between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, for that matter). But those are mostly quibbles with a very entertaining and seemingly well-researched book.
April 20, 2011
To me, espionage is an especially intriguing aspect of history that certainly did not get a lot of play in my HS history classes. While the author presents different stories involving different spies coupled with details of gadgets and training methods in a way that feels slightly disjointed, nevertheless, the material is fascinating and sure to pull readers in.
May 11, 2013
Kelly Garwood
Janeczko, P. B. (2010). The dark game: True spy stories from invisible ink to CIA moles. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Genre: Informational
Award(s): YALSA-ALA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction finalist
Format: book
Selection process: McGorray, K. (2010, August 1). Review [Review of the book The dark game: True spy stories from invisible ink to CIA moles by P. B. Janeczko]. School Library Journal.
Review:
From George Washington and the Culper spy ring to the Soviet Union and the Corona spy satellite, The Dark Game covers over 200 years of espionage, secrets and infiltration of the United States. Janeczko, poet and anthologist, takes a look at the spies throughout time who have shaped history. He does not go beyond the 9/11 terrorist attacks because, as he says, “that is a subject for another book� (p. 7). But in this book the time covered is more than enough for one book.
Benedict Arnold, Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen are just some of the more well-known spies that are discussed in addition to technological advancements and secret missions. Other less well-known spies include: Elizabeth Van Lew, an aristocrat who worked against slavery during the Civil War; General John “Black Jack� Pershing, promoted to the highest rank held in the US Army during WWI; the Choctaw code talkers, a group of Native Americans who helped the Americans in WWII transmit cyphered messages.
In chronological order, The Dark Game comprehensively relays a fascinating topic. Since the point of spies is to remain secret Janeczko’s thorough research is useful and educational for anyone wishing to understand this world more. The bibliography and source notes at the end are excellent foundations for further study.
The photography of ciphers and documents, the spies themselves and scenes of famous meet ups and arrests help give authenticity to information. The reading level of the book is for about 13-15 year olds, but the information within is captivating for many ages. Examining both spies who worked for and against our country diversifies the book to help keep it realistic. This evolution of the complexity and intensity of spy craft is sure to interest any reader.
Recommend
Janeczko, P. B. (2010). The dark game: True spy stories from invisible ink to CIA moles. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Genre: Informational
Award(s): YALSA-ALA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction finalist
Format: book
Selection process: McGorray, K. (2010, August 1). Review [Review of the book The dark game: True spy stories from invisible ink to CIA moles by P. B. Janeczko]. School Library Journal.
Review:
From George Washington and the Culper spy ring to the Soviet Union and the Corona spy satellite, The Dark Game covers over 200 years of espionage, secrets and infiltration of the United States. Janeczko, poet and anthologist, takes a look at the spies throughout time who have shaped history. He does not go beyond the 9/11 terrorist attacks because, as he says, “that is a subject for another book� (p. 7). But in this book the time covered is more than enough for one book.
Benedict Arnold, Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen are just some of the more well-known spies that are discussed in addition to technological advancements and secret missions. Other less well-known spies include: Elizabeth Van Lew, an aristocrat who worked against slavery during the Civil War; General John “Black Jack� Pershing, promoted to the highest rank held in the US Army during WWI; the Choctaw code talkers, a group of Native Americans who helped the Americans in WWII transmit cyphered messages.
In chronological order, The Dark Game comprehensively relays a fascinating topic. Since the point of spies is to remain secret Janeczko’s thorough research is useful and educational for anyone wishing to understand this world more. The bibliography and source notes at the end are excellent foundations for further study.
The photography of ciphers and documents, the spies themselves and scenes of famous meet ups and arrests help give authenticity to information. The reading level of the book is for about 13-15 year olds, but the information within is captivating for many ages. Examining both spies who worked for and against our country diversifies the book to help keep it realistic. This evolution of the complexity and intensity of spy craft is sure to interest any reader.
Recommend
December 5, 2018
I now know everything I need to know to be able to NUKE THE WORLD! HAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
February 13, 2011
Teenage spy thrillers like the Alex Rider and Cherub series are always popular -- everyone loves the action, danger and derring-do in those stories! Paul Janeczko has researched and collected the stories of American spies through history, from the Revolutionary War days up to modern times. Did you know that George Washington, First President, was also our First Spymaster? It was his ability to recruit and use spies that gave him the information he needed to win battles, and eventually the war! During the Civil War, some of the most successful spies were women and African Americans, including Harriet Tubman. I love that this isn't just a story of various spies -- it's also about the ways they encoded information and got that information to their contacts. The right kind of underwear hanging on a clothesline was a signal for one spy! Janeczko includes the story of invisible ink, and how official ID papers and money for spies had to be aged so they would be believable. The history of secret codes includes the American soldiers who created the first unbreakable secret code during World War I, using their native Choctaw language. World War II featured Navajo codetalkers, who followed in their footsteps. Spy cameras, hidden listening devices, and secret tunnels all get a turn in this book too! Exciting storytelling with rich detail, historical photos and images of spy-related primary source documents make this a fascinating trip through many secretive events and people in our history. Strong 6th grade readers and up.
September 16, 2013
The Dark Game by Paul Janeczko is a non-fiction novel about espionage and intelligence in the history of The United States. This book is very informative and the author has a style that really makes you captivated to the information. The author really strives to tell the truth which can be hard to come by in the murky and dangerous game of espionage. Some of the stories he tells are especially captivating because they are recent and the ideas of spy's in our nation even today can be unsettling, for example there was one who was only caught in 2001. This book to me is especially interesting in the midst of the NSA snooping scandal because this book will show that there have been government organizations watching regular people since the revolutionary war. Overall the history of espionage and the spy game is interesting and will never be over.
The Dark Game discusses many types of espionage throughout the ages and woven through that are many themes. This books stories touch on a few like deception and betrayal but also determination. Some of the stories capture the determination to spy again like Virginia Hall who fled over mountains with a peg leg, also the determination to not get caught like any spy, but also the determination to die for their cause. The last part to touch on is whether I would recommend this book, and I would because not only is it well written but I feel this topic and the book itself will be interesting to any reader of any genre.
The Dark Game discusses many types of espionage throughout the ages and woven through that are many themes. This books stories touch on a few like deception and betrayal but also determination. Some of the stories capture the determination to spy again like Virginia Hall who fled over mountains with a peg leg, also the determination to not get caught like any spy, but also the determination to die for their cause. The last part to touch on is whether I would recommend this book, and I would because not only is it well written but I feel this topic and the book itself will be interesting to any reader of any genre.
October 23, 2010
I haven’t read a Young Adult book since, well, since I was a young adult. After a lifetime of reading “adult� books, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book, meant for a young audience, readily held my attention.
What was particularly satisfying was the amount of historical background provided for each spy. Their life and times are described in enough detail to give a well-rounded view without overdoing it and perhaps losing the interest of someone who is not familiar with the historical eras described.
The author covers the whole of American history, from the Revolutionary War to the end of the twentieth century. I was also pleased to note that both men and women, good guys and bad guys are the subjects of the book.
This is a great book to introduce young people to the history of espionage in the United States. It is also a quick and fascinating read for adults who can use it as a jumping off point for more in depth research into this intriguing subject.
What was particularly satisfying was the amount of historical background provided for each spy. Their life and times are described in enough detail to give a well-rounded view without overdoing it and perhaps losing the interest of someone who is not familiar with the historical eras described.
The author covers the whole of American history, from the Revolutionary War to the end of the twentieth century. I was also pleased to note that both men and women, good guys and bad guys are the subjects of the book.
This is a great book to introduce young people to the history of espionage in the United States. It is also a quick and fascinating read for adults who can use it as a jumping off point for more in depth research into this intriguing subject.
December 5, 2016
The Dark Game by Paul Janeczko is a compilation of many stories of espionage throughout the course of history, all of them connecting to the US even if the war was not completely centered around the United States. It describes the intricate internal design work of the Berlin tunnel along with stories of great spies such as Benedict Arnold. I had no idea that it took so much work to create a spy network, they spent hours and hours at desks just planning so the operation could go smoothly. For example, George Washington created the Culper Spy Ring, which he spend many many days planning out so that none of his troops had to suffer consequences. Along with being our first President, George Washington gained a nickname that not many people would guess, “The Father of American Espionage� (Janeczko pg 7). Every master plan has multiple parts and the guts and glory roles are bestowed on people more inconspicuous than George Washington. The guts and glory people get all the credit for executing the plans but Janeczko gives the masterminds behind the operations the credit they deserve. Spying consists of a lot more than the modern movies display and it was interesting to get to see information that went more in depth than James Bond. I would have personally enjoyed more if it went into more depth about each specific mission. For example, I thought it was awesome that Janeczko included stories about women spies considering in the days of even the Cold War, our society was externally run by males. I would have enjoyed it if he had gone into depth about the missions and stories of women spies such as Elizabeth Van Lew who played a large role in the gathering of enemy intel. Van Lew became a Union nurse but was not satisfied by that, she needed more. “She was compelled to act in any way she could to help repair a nation torn apart.� (Janeczko pg.47) I would have liked to hear more than a paragraph describing her childhood, her background, specific stories about when she was a nurse.
All in all, I liked this book and as an easy book to read, I personally recommend for younger readers as it is exciting and thrilling. I could have used more detail and more of a challenge but it still was action packed and almost never did I sit there and regret my choice of book.
All in all, I liked this book and as an easy book to read, I personally recommend for younger readers as it is exciting and thrilling. I could have used more detail and more of a challenge but it still was action packed and almost never did I sit there and regret my choice of book.
October 18, 2022
Spying in the U.S. began during the American Revolution. Men and women were both involved. Some wrote messages in code or in invisible ink while others delivered them in clever ways. Signals–such as hanging certain clothing items on a line or waving a particular flag–were used to communicate meetings or troop movements. Spies tended to be good looking, well-liked individuals. However some, like Benedict Arnold, were disillusioned Americans who wanted something more than what life was giving them: money, respect, excitement.
Benjamin Franklin used his writing skills to do his part during the same time period. His “fake news� was widely circulated around Europe and convinced the British and French that circumstances in America were significantly different than they actually were.
During every major war from the Civil War to WWI to WWII, there have been spies, and from those networks the FBI and CIA were born. Each of those entities has had to work through various problems, including how to handle moles. During the Civil War, spies were often overlooked because they were of the elite and their peers simply could not wrap their minds around the idea that one of their own could do such an uncivilized thing. Later, there was the struggle against the good ol� boy network where ineffective agents were passed from one position to the next because firing them would be too much of a hassle.
This collection of stories will make a great addition to any YA nonfiction library, especially alongside books about Benedict Arnold, spying and sabotage during WWII, and the Cold War. 3.5
Benjamin Franklin used his writing skills to do his part during the same time period. His “fake news� was widely circulated around Europe and convinced the British and French that circumstances in America were significantly different than they actually were.
During every major war from the Civil War to WWI to WWII, there have been spies, and from those networks the FBI and CIA were born. Each of those entities has had to work through various problems, including how to handle moles. During the Civil War, spies were often overlooked because they were of the elite and their peers simply could not wrap their minds around the idea that one of their own could do such an uncivilized thing. Later, there was the struggle against the good ol� boy network where ineffective agents were passed from one position to the next because firing them would be too much of a hassle.
This collection of stories will make a great addition to any YA nonfiction library, especially alongside books about Benedict Arnold, spying and sabotage during WWII, and the Cold War. 3.5
June 8, 2020
This book is great if you are interested in the history and development of espionage. It starts with the Revolutionary War and finishes at the end of the 20th century. Given, it is particularly about espionage and spying in the United States, though the chapters about the World Wars offer more global information. It is entirely nonfiction, therefore there isn't much to "spoil". The writing is quite simple, and it's easy to read. It's not a page-turner, but it's also not uninteresting. The Dark Game is especially great if you have to do an assignment on espionage in the United States, or if you are curious about it. I didn't love it, it's not exactly my cup of tea, but everyone is different. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.
June 9, 2020
Paul B. Janeczko's The Dark Game is a noteworthy book about espionage, it is simple to understand and gives information on decades of spies. It focuses on singular people (like Benedict Arnold) to entire movements/events (like the Choctaw Code Talkers). Throughout the book, we see how over time espionage morphed from invisible ink to 'spy satellites'. One thing to note about this book, however, is that it mainly covers American history. This book is great for people who are starting to research espionage in history and for people reading for leisure but want to try more non-fiction books. Personally, I thought the book was well written, factual, and entertaining, but wouldn't really have finished it if I didn't need to.
September 19, 2017
The book is fine but very sparse (it even looks longer than it is, the font is on the large side). But the rating is low because the book is less 'true spy stories' and more a history of espionage told through true spy stories. Each war/conflict has its own chapter that focuses on the progress being made. That's fine, chronological order is great, but this means the golden age of espionage, The Cold War, is limited to one chapter. And each chapter only has two quick stories and two articles (info on single topics, such as the articles on invisible ink or on the brief use of the Choctaw language to confuse German code breakers).
October 23, 2019
This book is about the difficult work of spying. It includes the details about advanced technologies that even existed in the 1800s. There has been spy work done ever since militaries existed even if we can’t find complete proof of early spies. Spy work is a very complicated and intriguing job that requires stealth and agility.
I liked this book because in my future I want to be an FBI agent. I can learn about how the government uses these stealth workers. I would recommend this book to someone who likes mysteries because it has many interesting points that take a moment to fully understand.
I liked this book because in my future I want to be an FBI agent. I can learn about how the government uses these stealth workers. I would recommend this book to someone who likes mysteries because it has many interesting points that take a moment to fully understand.
June 9, 2020
The Dark Game by Paul B. Janeczko is a really good book and all the stories were written as if it was fictional making the writing more engaging. Also, it almost always used foreshadowing before the next part came up. It has solid facts and teaches us a lot about the history of espionage. It only focuses on America or the FBI and it could explain a little bit more about other countries and their experiences with spying. It focuses on singular people and on groups, therefore, showing quite a lot of different aspects of espionage.
October 12, 2017
This book was mostly about war and spy's. George Washington sent .I think this book was pretty good because I fell like they could of wrote it better. Yes I would recommend to teens because thy would understand the book better. I think in the first three chapters talk about the claim that I put on top. I rated it 3 because the book was some parts where hard to understand in the book.
March 2, 2018
This book is about spy stories. It goes from George Washington helping the British to a tunnel in the Cold War. This talks about stories where people cracked codes and found out some ruff investigations. So if you ever wanted to be a investigator, part of the FBI, SWAT, or just a spy. This book will tell you about what happens behind the scenes.
May 10, 2017
World War 1 is happening and George Washington is sending spies to figure out on how to stop the British. They use secret codes to communicate to each other and say what is going on and what the British are up to. It tells different stories about different spies and how they work to find the information they need. The spies struggle to not get caught. The spies want to find information to beat the British on the other hand they have to be careful not to get caught. The theme is to always be careful when doing something dangerous. I didn't like this book because it was hard to understand because it went to one story to another and it was just really confusing. I wouldn't recommend this book to other people because it was really boring.
January 2, 2020
this book was so fun to read. I liked learning about all of the different weapons and gadgets. There were so many things I learned like Rosa Parks being a spy. I liked at the end of every chapter it gave you a little history lesson. Overall, this was an amazing book.
June 23, 2020
Good info
Very basic intelligence reporting moving through our history. Many facts and facets are omitted and would help develop the current espionage field. Of course, it is secret!
Very basic intelligence reporting moving through our history. Many facts and facets are omitted and would help develop the current espionage field. Of course, it is secret!
February 1, 2018
It was a very interesting book with a lot of things going on.
January 8, 2019
Overall: Pros: Tells people spy stories from over 100 years ago.
Cons: The author just researched the different spy stories, no creativeness though.
Cons: The author just researched the different spy stories, no creativeness though.
February 8, 2019
Interesting and learned a few things. Enjoyed the chapters on more current spies the best.
July 20, 2020
I really enjoyed the stories in this book. They were carefully picked and interesting to young readers.
December 3, 2021
Not much to say here. The information was presented in a manner I could engage with, but it didn’t blow my socks off. I think this is the first choice book for school that I didn’t abhore.
April 19, 2021
The story of true Spy, link to CIA. His mission was to link with the Washington network and hide in New York. A loyal spy who got connected to the CIA. His name was Robert Hanssen, and he had a partner but it was a women spy.
January 13, 2017
I picked this book because it was the last book that looked good in class, I didn't even want to read but I was forced to. This book is full of spy stories from all different wars some interesting some boring. If I had to pick a favorite it part of the book it would be the spy story from chapter 1 witch I didn't even like that much but compared to the other ones it was the best. The author definitely knew what he was writing you could tell he did a lot of research. The reason I rated this book a 1 star was because 1 star is the lowest you can rate a book on this website. overall I personally did not like this book.
July 27, 2021
A YA non-fiction about spies. Told how some of the original spy networks were set up in the American Revolution through the modern day computer and electronic surveillance. Early chapters were much more fun when it involved us versus them, but it was not as fun as when our people were spying on ourselves. Liked the chapter that gave us some of the women who worked as spies also and the people who worked as code breakers.
Well, told when it focused on our heroic spies.
Well, told when it focused on our heroic spies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2015
Grade range: 5-8
Six self-contained chapters tell intriguing stories of spies and their craft, from the American Revolution through the Cold War. Janeczko makes the point that often, marginalized groups: women, African Americans, Native Americans and even one handicapped individual, made excellent spies, as bias prevented them from being perceived as either a threat or a resource.
While the chronological chapters are self-contained there are some overarching themes. Taken together the chapters tell a rough history of spying as it affected the United States from the Revolutionary War into the end of the 20th century. Janeczko traces the increasing professionalization of espionage as America moved from all amateur spies: including Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin and the amazing WWII double agent: Juan Pujol, to a trained force, schooled in combat, cyber-espionage, sabotage, survival skills, and codes and ciphers. While the professional training has lots of 007 appeal, it is the stories of the amateurs that capture the imagination, in part because they are a far more diverse group: Harriet Tubman and her 300 strong unit of African-American riverboat pilots and soldiers who rescued 800 slaves, an intrepid WWII agent Virginia Hall, who named her wooden leg Cuthbert, Choctaw code talkers, Rebel Rose the Confederate socialite spy and her opposite Van Lew the spinster who helped organize the daring behind-enemy-lines escape of 109 Union soldiers from Libby Prison.
The book is focused on spies associated with the United States; this includes double agents, Allies in both world wars and foreign saboteurs on U.S. soil. Of particular interest is the little known story of the extensive and effective sabotage carried out in the U.S. by German agents during World War I.
The organization of the book allows readers to dip in an out, reading about time periods or incidents of special interest. The text is enhanced by primary source photos and pictures of ciphers, which are a particular interest of Mr. Janeczko, (Top Secret: A Handbook of Codes, Ciphers, and Secret Writing, Candlewick 2004, Loads of Codes and Secret Ciphers, Simon & Schuster 1984). While most readers will be drawn to the book for the fun of it, the material is well researched enough to be useful in reports. The author’s enthusiasm and fascination with the topic comes through clearly.
The writing is plain and rather inelegant, but doesn’t detract from the compelling stories. Of course some information is missing or is debatable. After a fascinating account of the story behind the Zimmerman telegram: which precipitated U.S. entry into WWI, Janeczko repeats the assertion that “never before or since has so much turned upon the solution of a secret message�. The idea that U.S. troops were what turned the tide in WWI is a discredited theory. I could also wish there was more about the appalling Allen Dulles and the fact that, on his watch, undiscovered Russian moles sent thousands of CIA agents to their death and undercut U.S. espionage effectiveness for decades. But these are minor quibbles; overall The Dark Game is a fascinating, eye-opening and very appealing read for middle school kids.
Front matter: The Contents helpfully subdivides the six chapters into four named topics per chapter, giving readers a sense of what the chapters cover and allowing them to focus on topics or individuals of particular interest. An introduction explains the author’s historic interest in, and enthusiasm for, the subject. Back Matter: Source notes are broken down by chapter and quotes are attributed. An extensive bibliography is included. Photography credits are also broken down by chapter, making it easy to learn where an image came from.
Six self-contained chapters tell intriguing stories of spies and their craft, from the American Revolution through the Cold War. Janeczko makes the point that often, marginalized groups: women, African Americans, Native Americans and even one handicapped individual, made excellent spies, as bias prevented them from being perceived as either a threat or a resource.
While the chronological chapters are self-contained there are some overarching themes. Taken together the chapters tell a rough history of spying as it affected the United States from the Revolutionary War into the end of the 20th century. Janeczko traces the increasing professionalization of espionage as America moved from all amateur spies: including Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin and the amazing WWII double agent: Juan Pujol, to a trained force, schooled in combat, cyber-espionage, sabotage, survival skills, and codes and ciphers. While the professional training has lots of 007 appeal, it is the stories of the amateurs that capture the imagination, in part because they are a far more diverse group: Harriet Tubman and her 300 strong unit of African-American riverboat pilots and soldiers who rescued 800 slaves, an intrepid WWII agent Virginia Hall, who named her wooden leg Cuthbert, Choctaw code talkers, Rebel Rose the Confederate socialite spy and her opposite Van Lew the spinster who helped organize the daring behind-enemy-lines escape of 109 Union soldiers from Libby Prison.
The book is focused on spies associated with the United States; this includes double agents, Allies in both world wars and foreign saboteurs on U.S. soil. Of particular interest is the little known story of the extensive and effective sabotage carried out in the U.S. by German agents during World War I.
The organization of the book allows readers to dip in an out, reading about time periods or incidents of special interest. The text is enhanced by primary source photos and pictures of ciphers, which are a particular interest of Mr. Janeczko, (Top Secret: A Handbook of Codes, Ciphers, and Secret Writing, Candlewick 2004, Loads of Codes and Secret Ciphers, Simon & Schuster 1984). While most readers will be drawn to the book for the fun of it, the material is well researched enough to be useful in reports. The author’s enthusiasm and fascination with the topic comes through clearly.
The writing is plain and rather inelegant, but doesn’t detract from the compelling stories. Of course some information is missing or is debatable. After a fascinating account of the story behind the Zimmerman telegram: which precipitated U.S. entry into WWI, Janeczko repeats the assertion that “never before or since has so much turned upon the solution of a secret message�. The idea that U.S. troops were what turned the tide in WWI is a discredited theory. I could also wish there was more about the appalling Allen Dulles and the fact that, on his watch, undiscovered Russian moles sent thousands of CIA agents to their death and undercut U.S. espionage effectiveness for decades. But these are minor quibbles; overall The Dark Game is a fascinating, eye-opening and very appealing read for middle school kids.
Front matter: The Contents helpfully subdivides the six chapters into four named topics per chapter, giving readers a sense of what the chapters cover and allowing them to focus on topics or individuals of particular interest. An introduction explains the author’s historic interest in, and enthusiasm for, the subject. Back Matter: Source notes are broken down by chapter and quotes are attributed. An extensive bibliography is included. Photography credits are also broken down by chapter, making it easy to learn where an image came from.
May 22, 2013
In the book, The Dark Game: True Spy Stories, real spy stories throughout history are told. This book is not only intriguing, but also fundamentally exhilarating as you read about interesting spy stories all the way back to the American Revolution. As you start with simple invisible ink and spies infiltrating the enemy way back in the 1700s, you progress to the modern era where is there is an abundance of new technology just making the spy game more complex. Spies start to use recon drones to fly over the enemy and collect intel, or simply hack some of the main communication lines of the enemy to find what they are planning. Even though times are changing as the book progresses, the same concept behind spying is consistent. Each side of a conflict or battle wants an upper hand on the enemy, so they hack, cheat, steal, anything they can to gain info on the enemies infrastructure that will help defeat them.
I thought it was a cool dynamic how the stories were told in chronological order, sometimes linking certain people together or referring back to the past events and how they have an effect on certain incidents. “After the Revolutionary war, spies began to be hired by countries to find information on the infrastructure of those countries� (Janeczko 27).This book could have more background detail about the people involved, not to say there was no information, but knowing where the spies originated and how they were introduced to spying. An interesting aspect, I think, would be the fluentness of how the story flows. As stated before, it begins in colonial times, and by the end of the book, you feel it was all connected as there were spies everywhere at all times and even still are today. There were not major splits in time periods and it all flowed nicely. Another good point on these stories are that they aren't difficult to get into. Only have thirty minutes? It allows you to read about 2-3 different stories at a time. There isn’t tons and tons of detail and in depth analyzation, but it gives you the interesting details and the main points, which is nice.
The authors purpose was simple, yet elegant. He allowed the reader to learn about complex spy situations, and created a fun, light read which is stimulating to the mind, opening questions about spies and the background of how they were involved in some wars, and even during times of peace. He allows the reader to be able to skip to certain stories with minimal confusion because each of the stories are separate, with only some details overlapping. There is even a spice of comedy within these stories which allow for a lightened, enjoyable mood.
Overall, this is an interesting, fun read. It is not tedious, long pages with small text, there are special biography, or pages with side information every ten to fifteen pages, which allow for a leisurely read. The stories date from the 1700s to the modern era and it is cool to see the transformation in spy equipment and techniques as the years change. The only negative would be how there is some information missing for the background of events or certain spies, even though a decent amount is covered. I am not sure if the author thought this extras information would crowd the reading, making it straw from the original idea of having a quick read, thats why I will give it a 4 out of 5. In result, this book is a great one, especially if you are interested in learning about spies throughout history or just like history in general. This read will open your mind to questions about today and what types of spies are out there now. I would recommend this book to a friend.
I thought it was a cool dynamic how the stories were told in chronological order, sometimes linking certain people together or referring back to the past events and how they have an effect on certain incidents. “After the Revolutionary war, spies began to be hired by countries to find information on the infrastructure of those countries� (Janeczko 27).This book could have more background detail about the people involved, not to say there was no information, but knowing where the spies originated and how they were introduced to spying. An interesting aspect, I think, would be the fluentness of how the story flows. As stated before, it begins in colonial times, and by the end of the book, you feel it was all connected as there were spies everywhere at all times and even still are today. There were not major splits in time periods and it all flowed nicely. Another good point on these stories are that they aren't difficult to get into. Only have thirty minutes? It allows you to read about 2-3 different stories at a time. There isn’t tons and tons of detail and in depth analyzation, but it gives you the interesting details and the main points, which is nice.
The authors purpose was simple, yet elegant. He allowed the reader to learn about complex spy situations, and created a fun, light read which is stimulating to the mind, opening questions about spies and the background of how they were involved in some wars, and even during times of peace. He allows the reader to be able to skip to certain stories with minimal confusion because each of the stories are separate, with only some details overlapping. There is even a spice of comedy within these stories which allow for a lightened, enjoyable mood.
Overall, this is an interesting, fun read. It is not tedious, long pages with small text, there are special biography, or pages with side information every ten to fifteen pages, which allow for a leisurely read. The stories date from the 1700s to the modern era and it is cool to see the transformation in spy equipment and techniques as the years change. The only negative would be how there is some information missing for the background of events or certain spies, even though a decent amount is covered. I am not sure if the author thought this extras information would crowd the reading, making it straw from the original idea of having a quick read, thats why I will give it a 4 out of 5. In result, this book is a great one, especially if you are interested in learning about spies throughout history or just like history in general. This read will open your mind to questions about today and what types of spies are out there now. I would recommend this book to a friend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.