37 review for The incredible World of Spy-fi: Wild and Crazy Spy Gadgets, Props, and Artifacts from TV and the Movies

1. 

   5 out of 5

   Philip – Jun 24, 2017

   For any young boy growing up in the early 1960's, I would bet even money that he was obsessed with at least two of the following three things: dinosaurs, the Civil War (which was in the middle of its centennial celebration), and TV spies. This book isn't an attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of spy gimmicks and gadgets from the various 60s' spy movies and shows of the 60s. Instead, it's a delightful celebration of one obsessive fan's collection of actual props and memorabilia. Since it f For any young boy growing up in the early 1960's, I would bet even money that he was obsessed with at least two of the following three things: dinosaurs, the Civil War (which was in the middle of its centennial celebration), and TV spies. This book isn't an attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of spy gimmicks and gadgets from the various 60s' spy movies and shows of the 60s. Instead, it's a delightful celebration of one obsessive fan's collection of actual props and memorabilia. Since it focuses totally on only those items Biederman has himself collected, there are obvious holes - "why is he showing this but not that?" - but it brings back countless memories from what were all my favorite shows of the era, (for more evidence, see the books and read the reviews listed on my "movie/tv tie-in" bookshelf - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...). James Bond, Man from U.N.C.L.E., Wild Wild West, I Spy, Mission Impossible, The (original) Avengers - just listing the names makes me smile. I had, however, forgotten just how goofy and forced the names of some of the various spy organizations were. U.N.C.L.E. (United Network Command for Law & Enforcement) and SPECTRE (Special Executive for Counterintelligence, Terrorism, Revenge & Extortion) - okay, I can live with those, mainly because I've heard them so many times that they no longer sound as nonsensical as they in fact are. But then there's THRUSH (Technological Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity); E.C.H.O. (Emergency Counter Hostilities Organization); Z.O.W.I.E. (Zonal Organization World Intelligence Espionage); and the obviously-missing-a-word-at-the-end ICE (Intelligence Counter Espionage...what?).

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Michael P. – Sep 30, 2009

   If you are the age to have seen the Sean Connery James Bond movies in the theater and watched The Man From UNCLE on TV, you will find this book a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours. It is from an odd museum show at CIA headquarters that featured props and costumes from the spy-craze films and television series in the sixties. Bond, The AVENGERS, UNCLE, our man Flint, GET SMART, and THE WILD, WILD WEST are amongst the shows represented. The book will probably not mean much to you if you are If you are the age to have seen the Sean Connery James Bond movies in the theater and watched The Man From UNCLE on TV, you will find this book a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours. It is from an odd museum show at CIA headquarters that featured props and costumes from the spy-craze films and television series in the sixties. Bond, The AVENGERS, UNCLE, our man Flint, GET SMART, and THE WILD, WILD WEST are amongst the shows represented. The book will probably not mean much to you if you are younger than 50, but is a good time for those of us who remember.

3. 

   5 out of 5

   Andrew – Apr 01, 2012

   This book is not what it first appears to be. At first glance it appears to be a guide or a catalogue of hardware used through the years of spy films from James Bond to The Men From UNCLE. It is however also a history of the authors love of spy films and their gadgets from a boyhood love to a professional calling (after all he was invited to create a private exhibition). The book accepts that they are all props (and hence why some of them close up would struggle to convince anyone of their legit This book is not what it first appears to be. At first glance it appears to be a guide or a catalogue of hardware used through the years of spy films from James Bond to The Men From UNCLE. It is however also a history of the authors love of spy films and their gadgets from a boyhood love to a professional calling (after all he was invited to create a private exhibition). The book accepts that they are all props (and hence why some of them close up would struggle to convince anyone of their legitimacy), but it also charts the fascination of the subject through the 60s and how it evolved in both the cinema and on the TV. As much a history of genre as it is an expose of the props.

4. 

   4 out of 5

   Bill – Jul 22, 2010

   This is a fun fluff of a book that will appeal to anyone with fond memories of the spy films and television shows of the 60s and 70s. Built around photos of various props and costumes from these shows, the author briefly sets the context, history, and theme of each show, rundowns most of the main characters (and actors), and expounds on each particular item with amusing anecdotes. Coverage is heavily weighted toward the James Bond films, "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", "Mission: Impossible", and "The This is a fun fluff of a book that will appeal to anyone with fond memories of the spy films and television shows of the 60s and 70s. Built around photos of various props and costumes from these shows, the author briefly sets the context, history, and theme of each show, rundowns most of the main characters (and actors), and expounds on each particular item with amusing anecdotes. Coverage is heavily weighted toward the James Bond films, "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", "Mission: Impossible", and "The Wild, Wild West". Other shows like "Get Smart" and "The Avengers", along with more recent films like "Austin Powers", get good mentions, too.

5. 

   4 out of 5

   Abraham Ray – Oct 12, 2012

   nice book glad I read it!

6. 

   5 out of 5

   Jeremy –

7. 

   4 out of 5

   S.E. –

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Michaela –

9. 

   5 out of 5

   Lee Bezuidenhout –

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Anna –

11. 

    5 out of 5

    Rex –

12. 

    5 out of 5

    Seth Odell –

13. 

    4 out of 5

    Jeff Haas –

14. 

    5 out of 5

    Chris Mead –

15. 

    5 out of 5

    Johan Kjellstrom –

16. 

    4 out of 5

    Johnny Carruthers –

17. 

    4 out of 5

    Innerspaceboy –

18. 

    4 out of 5

    Jeff –

19. 

    4 out of 5

    Film Syncs –

20. 

    4 out of 5

    Bethany –

21. 

    5 out of 5

    Dan –

22. 

    4 out of 5

    Jon –

23. 

    5 out of 5

    Catherine Schaff-Stump –

24. 

    4 out of 5

    Jack Loh –

25. 

    4 out of 5

    Michelle –

26. 

    4 out of 5

    Sarah –

27. 

    5 out of 5

    Jim Walsh –

28. 

    4 out of 5

    Carol Ann –

29. 

    4 out of 5

    Justin –

30. 

    4 out of 5

    Annm –

31. 

    5 out of 5

    Becky –

32. 

    5 out of 5

    Kristina –

33. 

    5 out of 5

    Jonathan –

34. 

    4 out of 5

    Wikimedia Italia –

35. 

    5 out of 5

    Dipyanshu Panday –

36. 

    4 out of 5

    Bethany Nelson –

37. 

    4 out of 5

    Indy –