Eugene Fodor feted as the spy who loved travel

[formercia]

AP

NEW YORK – In 1936 Europe, before Hitler rolled into Poland but civil war was on in Spain, a unique guidebook offered a different slant on the Continent for foreign travelers tired of traipsing to ancient monuments during whirlwind grand tours.

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The writer was Eugene Fodor, hardly a travel industry mainstay when his book, "On the Continent," launched his namesake brand 75 years ago. Back then, the Hungarian-born Fodor was a young anti-fascist who had worked as an interpreter for a French shipping line, studied at the Sorbonne and spoke six languages.

His trajectory as head of a fledgling guidebook company took a shadowy turn once war broke out. In 1942, he added spy to his resume — specializing in psychological warfare for the Americans and later providing cover for CIA operatives masquerading as travel writers for his guides.

--snip--

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20110322/ap_tr_ge/us_travel_fodor_s_anniversary

[tanyev]

1. Interesting. I did not know that Fodor had worked with the CIA.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Never would have guessed. Amazing. Thank you. Rec. n/t