the way things work

I used to love this book by david macaulay called "the way things
work", it has simplified and very nicely illustrated explanations of
the concepts behind different products/technologies... very nice
resource for young aspiring engineers. the first edition came out in
the mid-80's, and it's been expanded ever since (the latest edition at
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/davidmacaulay/)

I always thought it would be nice to have a similar book for how
politics works, how intelligence services work, the military etc...
not just historical accounts, but a deconstruction of the main cogs in
each system, like opening up the box and looking at the boards and
circuits inside.

this would be a good example:

chapter 1: how the mossad works

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080219/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_mossad_agent;_ylt=AjqXyPAuYuniqSwVC22p3mQLewgF

a poorly staged picture to send a subtle message that rekindles some
old conflicts, like the website about lebanese persecution of jews
where they slipped in a picture of pierre gemayel senior as the only
good guy.

chapter 2: how the syrian moukhabarat works

http://www.champress.net/?page=show_det&id=23493

not even poorly staged, the staging is completely skipped since they
don't need to be subtle in rekindling old hatreds and stereotypes,
they're incapable of anything else anyway.

I would bet these would make for interesting reading, but unlike the
macaulay books there would be no second edition, the methods don't
seem to change.

marc
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