One of the first Usborne books to be published, reissued for the 40th anniversary of Usborne Publishing in 2013. The Know How Book of Spycraft is all about keeping secrets.

It shows you how to set up secret meeting places and a secret post office and how to disguise your messages and maps. It shows you lots of secret codes and signals. On the first page you will meet the Black Hat Spy. Watch out for the tricks he plays in Spy Trick – these are things real spies have done. There are messages in code all through the book – see if you can work them out.

As used in evidence at the high court trial of Soviet spy Oleg Gordievsky, who testified that this book gave away the KGB's tradecraft.

Reviews

‘A fascinating book packed with hands-on projects for children to try out – and who isn't fascinated by spies, codes and secrets? …this would be a brilliant book to use as a theme for a children's party’ – Parents in Touch;

‘A goldmine of secret tricks and disguises, the book contains messages in code throughout and is a must for any youngster who fancies trying out a spot of espionage’ – Gransnet;

‘Can inject an awful lot of excitement and intrigue into a rainy afternoon’ – Playing by the Book;

‘A fascinating book that will delight younger and older readers alike’ – Bookbabblers;

‘It was practical to a degree that should probably have been illegal’ – The Telegraph

‘The perfect book for boys or girls who revel in puzzles, code-cracking and brain-taxing stuff… brilliant fun and Colin King's fantastic illustrations remind me why Usborne books have always been a cut above the rest when it comes to interesting content and fab subjects’ – Read it Daddy;

‘A great book full of good, clean, honest fun that will delight children and keep them entertained, both inside and out’ – Book a Poet;

‘The ideal book for children with enquiring minds and a hint of mischief!’ – Creative Steps;

‘This book places the focus very much on how much a child with a bit of imagination can do with a piece of paper and a furtive nod’ – Armadillo;

‘A feast of fun, facts and fiendish spycraft skulduggery!’ – Lancashire Evening Post;

‘This is one of THE books for budding spies. Jam packed with code machines, disguise tips and ideas for hidden hideyholes, this book explains it all’ – Booka Uhu's Book Nook;

‘Hours of pleasure for little spies everywhere’ – Book Reviews for Mums;