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Professor Ross
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« on: June 04, 2012, 01:59:49 am » |
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Can anyone recommend books about espionage during the Victorian era? Particularly the late Victorian era (around 1870-1900.)
I'm looking more for general books that detail methods and equipment as opposed to narratives of particular individuals. Though I'd be interested in narratives as well.
Thanks to all!
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« Last Edit: June 04, 2012, 03:29:33 pm by Professor Ross »
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Professor Alexander Ross
(Not actually a Professor in any official sense of the word, I just thought it sounded good.)
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pakled
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« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2012, 03:00:49 am » |
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Joseph Conrad- The Secret Agent (I think)
Hey...it's a start
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Kittybriton
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« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2012, 02:08:52 pm » |
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The works of John Buchan - The Thirty-nine steps, Huntingtower and Greenmantle are well-worth reading to learn more about tradecraft, as well as being based, I believe, on his own experiences to some extent.
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Lady Chrystal
Immortal
 Wales
Lady Adventurer, Chronicler
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« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2012, 02:50:44 pm » |
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I second the comment about the 39 Steps - and will have a quick look at some of the others.
Great question, thanks for asking!
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"The Chrystal? Ah, now - that would be telling."
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Madasasteamfish
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« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2012, 03:41:02 pm » |
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Erm, probably anything you can get on Lord Robert Baden Powell's life pre 'Scouting for Boys'. He spent a lot of time working as a spy in Europe, posing as a lepidopterist, collecting a huge collection of drawings of moth's wing patters, which were in actuality coded drawings of military instillations.
Also, I concur with what's already been said here, the 39 steps is a good book to read.
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If tha knows about a better 'ole then tha can get thi sen in it!
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Professor Ross
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« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2012, 10:19:53 pm » |
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Thanks for the suggestions! I'll check them out.
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Ant
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« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2012, 01:31:00 pm » |
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I'd also look at "Riddle of the Sands" by Erskine Childers which is an excellent book (and film with Michael York)
"Kim" by Rudyard Kipling dealing with the "Great Game" in Afganistan
Possibly even "The Prisoner of Zenda" by Anthony Hope
In all honesty I'd reccomend them as books everyone should read, just because they are all excellent
Can I add "King Solomon's Mines"? Ah well, I have, it's not a spy novel but it is brilliant
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Tito Alba
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« Reply #7 on: June 06, 2012, 04:59:39 pm » |
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One of my favourite spies in Victorian times was Robert Fortune, who went undercover to China in the employ of the East India Company disguised as a Chinese merchant in order collect seeds and information for the cultivation of tea in India. The aim was to end the reliance on China for our favourite beverage. According to wikipedia he wrote several books as well as had several written about him and even a film made! On a similar note I would think there is plenty of opportunity to research Victorian espionage during the opium wars since that was effectively a dirty war carried out using pretty underhand tactics by government backed, corporate sponsored smugglers in an attempt to cripple a competitors economy. |
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OswaldBastable
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« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2012, 01:12:30 am » |
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For more exotic spying look up books on the 'pundits' native spies working for Britain to map the hostile lands to the north of India. I read a book on them last year which included information on some of the cunningly disguised equipment they used etc but cant remember the title sorry. Also Peter Hopkirk has written a whole series of books on 19th century espionage.
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C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la guerre
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Atterton
Master Tinkerer
Only The Shadow knows
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« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2012, 02:06:56 am » |
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You could perhaps learn something from the Pinkertons.
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In space, no one can hear you steam.
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Darkhound
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« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2012, 04:52:14 am » |
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It's just a bit before Victorian, but I must recommend "The Man Who Broke Napoleon's Codes" a biography of George Scoville, am officer in Wellington's army who did just that. It also gives a great deal of background on military attitudes toward the whole subject, as well as letting you see how vital correct usage of codes is to their integrity. Scoville was able to draw up rules for British code rooms that are very similar to modern ones simply by outlawing practices which had helped him crack French messages!
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"Stupidity is a curse with which even the Gods struggle in vain. Ignorance we can fix."
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OswaldBastable
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« Reply #12 on: June 08, 2012, 02:32:25 pm » |
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You could perhaps learn something from the Pinkertons.
Good idea, I've been meaning to research about them myself |
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pakled
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« Reply #13 on: June 09, 2012, 05:03:39 am » |
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Project Gutenberg just came out with Ashton Kirk, Secret Agent, in the recently uploaded. Not sure if we're allowed to paste URLS, but if you go there today (Saturday on this side of the pond...  it's free. |
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OswaldBastable
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« Reply #15 on: June 09, 2012, 11:13:59 pm » |
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I've read it, its an excellent and interesting book |
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