Fact Or Fiction: Spies/Traitor

Stewart Ross is a popular, prize-winning children's author. He has written over one hundred books for children, including many on 20th century history. His works have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Stewart taught history, english and politics for ten years to children of all ages.

Grade 5-8?Using a format similar to that of the "Eyewitness" books, this offering is an unsuccessful attempt to give an overview of the world of espionage in the past and present. The arrangement is loosely chronological. Each double-page spread contains a paragraph of text, supported by numerous full-color and black-and-white illustrations and photographs, all with lengthy captions. The emphasis is on Europeans, with no mention of such famous American spies or assassins as Benedict Arnold or John Wilkes Booth. Americans receive more coverage in the pages dealing with the periods during and since World War II. So many names, dates, and places are mentioned that it is difficult to keep them straight. The format does not allow for any depth of information. Such cursory coverage presumes a working knowledge of world history dating back to the Middle Ages. It is disconcerting that while the text pooh-poohs television and movie portrayals of traitors and spies, the illustrations include many movie clips. Both male and female spies are discussed, and sex is mentioned several times as a way to gain secrets. There is also a totally unnecessary reference to J. Edgar Hoover's enjoyment of dressing in women's underwear. While the topic is appealing, this brief, spotty presentation does nothing to whet readers' appetites for learning more about it.?Peg Glisson, Dewitt Road School, Webster, NY
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