George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution
Author:
Genre: History
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: History
Book Type: Paperback
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.
