Robert B. (SGTBob) reviewed George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution on + 156 more book reviews
Historically correct account of the spy ring that George Washington formed to help with the fight for independence from England.
I hated to put it down, it was that interesting.
Brian and Don (the authors) did a wonderful job of gathering the facts and laying them out in a logical manner that afforded me the ability to be informed and entertained at the same time.
Sometimes the factual information was a little overwhelming, but the plots and twists kept your attention and made me want to read more about these six spies.
Loved the book.
I hated to put it down, it was that interesting.
Brian and Don (the authors) did a wonderful job of gathering the facts and laying them out in a logical manner that afforded me the ability to be informed and entertained at the same time.
Sometimes the factual information was a little overwhelming, but the plots and twists kept your attention and made me want to read more about these six spies.
Loved the book.
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
This is the true story of the anonymous spies who helped win the Revolutionary War. Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger finally give Townsend and his fellow spies their proper due, telling the fascinating story of how they passed information to George Washington that turned the tide of the war. Using a network of citizen operatives that included a longshoreman, bartender, newspaper editor, housewife, tailor, and femme fatale, and employing a series of complex codes, the so-called Culper Spy Ring used sophisticated tactics to subvert the British. Based on previously unpublished research, George Washington's Secret Six is a gripping history of these amazing, anonymous Patriots who risked their lives for our freedom. This is a most interesting book with a good history lesson. If you love history, you will love the stories contained in this book.
Jeannine S. (irishdreamer) reviewed George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution on + 2 more book reviews
Very interesting. It is amazing what our forefathers were willing to stake to found this great country.
Karen S. (MKSbooklady) reviewed George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution on + 989 more book reviews
Good for a history lesson or two,
Martha P. (MartyP) reviewed George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution on + 10 more book reviews
Footnotes would be useful in a book that claims to explore "new" history, and it should be noted that the bibliography at the end is mostly secondary source material. Which makes me wonder how much of the story is the authors' imaginations run wild?
Susan W. reviewed George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution on + 3 more book reviews
This is an amazing book. I don't want to include any spoilers, but the book will convince you that were it not for these brave ordinary citizens, the outcome of the war would probably have been very different. Highly recommended for anyone.
Karen K. (krin) reviewed George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution on + 407 more book reviews
This is a fascinating book about another side to the American Revolution. Recently I've started watching the AMC drama Turn: Washington's Spies about the same topic and I highly recommend it.
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
I find it somewhat annoying many books on spying in the 20th century state the United States didn't really have a spy network until just before World War II. Yet General Washington was known to have such during the American Revolution, but little was said about it, even at that time. Which was probably why it was so successful.
The Union forces also had a very effective spy network during the Civil War. And, to a lesser degree, so did the Confederates. The story of Virginia-born, Union spy Elizabeth van Lew, and her spy ring, should be taught in our schools.
Another false statement you often encounter is "The Riddle of the Sands," from the very early 20th century, was the first real spy novel. But "The Spy: a Tale of the Neutral Ground," set during the American Revolution, by James Fenimore Cooper, was published in 1821.
With that out of the way, let's look at this book and some criticism of it. The author makes it clear in the introduction he is going to take some liberties with dialogue and setting. This is not what you expect from a good history book, but perhaps he felt this would make the book more readable. I do know it was an interesting read. And if that gets more people to read it, then I'm willing to overlook this problem. Especially when so many of our other history books keep repeating false tales of "American heroes." Douglas MacArthur is a perfect example.
But the author relating the story of Hessian troops at Trenton not performing well, due to over-celebrating Christmas Eve, is evidence he should have done more research on matters he was not well-knowledgeable of. The true story is the Hessian general kept falling out his troops during the night, due to what were thought to be false alarms, that when the Continental troops did attack later than planned, the Hessians were so tired they didn't react quickly enough.
What is important about this book is six colonial Americans, with no previous training, engaged in spying, in the heart of heavily controlled British New York at the dire risk of their lives, and did so without pay or recognition. More than one member of the "Secret Six" lived the rest of his life under a cloud of helping the British during the Revolution. This was why Washington's spy master, Major Tallmadge, made it a condition of the British withdrawal from New York, that he and his men be allowed to enter the city early to protect the remaining members of the "Secret Six" from possible reprisals by New York patriots.
The "Secret Six" was so secret, even George Washington didn't know who they all were. But they were so important to the final American victory, he kept the originals of the information they sent among his papers for the rest of his life.
One major agent of the "Secret Six" wasn't identified until the 20th century, and that was almost by accident. Finally, a very effective member, a woman, has never been identified, and she may have given her life for the cause of American freedom.
Every American should know their story.
The Union forces also had a very effective spy network during the Civil War. And, to a lesser degree, so did the Confederates. The story of Virginia-born, Union spy Elizabeth van Lew, and her spy ring, should be taught in our schools.
Another false statement you often encounter is "The Riddle of the Sands," from the very early 20th century, was the first real spy novel. But "The Spy: a Tale of the Neutral Ground," set during the American Revolution, by James Fenimore Cooper, was published in 1821.
With that out of the way, let's look at this book and some criticism of it. The author makes it clear in the introduction he is going to take some liberties with dialogue and setting. This is not what you expect from a good history book, but perhaps he felt this would make the book more readable. I do know it was an interesting read. And if that gets more people to read it, then I'm willing to overlook this problem. Especially when so many of our other history books keep repeating false tales of "American heroes." Douglas MacArthur is a perfect example.
But the author relating the story of Hessian troops at Trenton not performing well, due to over-celebrating Christmas Eve, is evidence he should have done more research on matters he was not well-knowledgeable of. The true story is the Hessian general kept falling out his troops during the night, due to what were thought to be false alarms, that when the Continental troops did attack later than planned, the Hessians were so tired they didn't react quickly enough.
What is important about this book is six colonial Americans, with no previous training, engaged in spying, in the heart of heavily controlled British New York at the dire risk of their lives, and did so without pay or recognition. More than one member of the "Secret Six" lived the rest of his life under a cloud of helping the British during the Revolution. This was why Washington's spy master, Major Tallmadge, made it a condition of the British withdrawal from New York, that he and his men be allowed to enter the city early to protect the remaining members of the "Secret Six" from possible reprisals by New York patriots.
The "Secret Six" was so secret, even George Washington didn't know who they all were. But they were so important to the final American victory, he kept the originals of the information they sent among his papers for the rest of his life.
One major agent of the "Secret Six" wasn't identified until the 20th century, and that was almost by accident. Finally, a very effective member, a woman, has never been identified, and she may have given her life for the cause of American freedom.
Every American should know their story.
Jay H. reviewed George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution on + 8 more book reviews
Excellent book. Well researched but clear about "missing" details.
