Only a century or so ago, it was possible to travel internationally, without a passport. But the laissez-faire era of international travel ended when World War I began in 1914. Since that time, international travel—and particularly air travel—has become increasingly regimented.

One of the most alarming developments is an effort by an international consortium to create "lifetime personal travel histories" of all international travelers. While these efforts are most advanced in the United States, other nations (Malaysia is one) now track all border crossings by their nationals.

Fortunately, there are ways to avoid this network of law and technology to preserve travel privacy. One of the best ways—if you qualify—is to use a second passport when traveling outside your home country. Another, presuming you're a non-U.S. citizen, is to avoid visiting the United States.

The Private Traveler presents dozens more suggestions to protect your travel privacy in the face of the War on Terror.

The Private Traveler (2007, 36 pg., US$39)

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