On the Media Wars Are Won By Stories
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Jan 22, 2025 
Elyse Graham, historian and professor at Stony Brook University, discusses her book 'Book and Dagger', revealing the surprising role of scholars and librarians as spies during World War II. She highlights their integral contributions to wartime narratives, likening information battles to physical fights. The conversation dives into the OSS's unconventional recruitment, the essential role of cartographers, and how ‘whispering’ propaganda shaped perceptions. Graham underscores storytelling's power in both history and politics, making for a captivating exploration of espionage.
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Curtis's Counterespionage
- In Istanbul, Curtis uncovered the failing OSS operation led by McFarland, whose cover was blown due to his affairs with enemy agents.
- Curtis then successfully built a counterintelligence unit, spreading propaganda and turning enemy agents.
Spy Training
- Spies in training learned to use ordinary objects as weapons, from newspapers to makeup compacts.
- The training emphasized resourcefulness and adaptability in the field.
Sherman Kent's Role
- Sherman Kent, a history professor known for his combative personality, excelled in spy training, becoming a skilled dagger thrower.
- He championed intelligence analysis, arguing that public sources held crucial strategic information.
