In 1953, a top-secret manual teaching agents sleight-of-hand and
other deception techniques was written for the CIA by Americas then
most famous magician. All copies were believed destroyed by the
CIAs purge of the infamous MKULTRA documents in 1973. But there was
no proof of the manuals existence...until a copy was discovered
among the CIAs recently declassified archives. The manual reprinted
in this work is thought to represent the only surviving copy of
magician John Mulhollands instructions for CIA agents on the art of
trickery and deception, which include: - Handling Tablets
(preparing pills and tablets; hiding pills in hand, matchbook,
wallet, and money) - Handling Powders (creating containers for
holding powders; using duplicate pencils to make drops) - Handling
Liquids (making containers to drop or spray liquids; using
matchbooks, coins, wallets, cigarettes, and bare hands; ceating
distracting stories that are both rational and simple) - Removing
Objects (mastering preparatory actions, timing, body position, and
the art of distraction; making secret pockets; picking up and
secretly folding paper) - Special Notes for Women (modifying
earlier techniques for womens use; using pocket mirrors, jewelry,
cosmetics, handkerchiefs, and evening bags) - Working as a Team
(Setting the roles of trickster and assistant; assistant roles
include setting the stage, carrying props, "accidentally"
spilling things, handing off objects; notes on the proper use of
signals) More than 40 newly commissioned illustrations
demonstrating these techniques accompany the original text, along
with an introduction illuminating the history of CIA agent
deception and dirty tricks, and the role of this secret manual in
that highly controversial program.
