The Dirty Tricks Department

Synopsis: If you’ve ever wondered about the real life inspiration for James Bond’s “Q”, this book is for you. Author John Lisle chronicles Stanley Lovell’s leadership of the OSS Research and Development Branch during World War II. Lovell, an industrial chemist, was recruited to come work for the government to help develop the weapons and tools needed for espionage. Chapters are devoted to weapons, devices, forgeries, and efforts to develop drugs for mind control, among others.

Review: This was a fascinating look at a creative mind trying to figure out new ways to kill people. By turns, this was both horrifying and hilarious. Cat bombs, rat bombs and bat bombs. Suicide pills, fluorescent foxes and cigarette pistols. Disguises and forged documents. Nothing made me giggle more than one proposed weapon of psychological warfare, the fart spray entitled “Who, me?” Unfortunately, it’s not all Mad Magazine antics. The patriotic desire to defeat the Nazis comes with the moral dilemmas raised by biologic weapons and the atomic bomb. There is a brief section of the book devoted to MKULTRA, the infamous project of the CIA devoted to developing procedures and drugs to use for brainwashing and psychological torture—NOT a project of Stanley Lovell, though his previous work may have laid the groundwork. While it was a compelling read, it does leave one with the depressing thought that war is ubiquitous, and our search for more ways to annihilate each other will never end.

Recipe: Food wasn’t mentioned much in this book, but one thing was noticeable: spies do seem to like a good cocktail. A classic cocktail, just right for summer is the gimlet. Gin, lime juice and simple syrup. I might have suggested pairing this with another book in the blog, but if so, don’t hold it against me, just have another!

3/4 ounce simple syrup

2 ounces gin

3/4 ounce fresh lime juice

zest from one fresh lime

1) combine ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Pour into chilled coupe or martini glass