Bibliograph

Type

Label

Washington's spies, the story of America's first spy ring, Alexander Rose

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 345-361) and index

Illustrations

illustrationsmaps

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Washington's spies

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

148628378

Responsibility statement

Alexander Rose

Sub title

the story of America's first spy ring

Summary

In the summer of 1778, General Washington needed to know where the British would strike next. To that end, he unleashed an unlikely ring of spies in New York charged with discovering the enemy's battle plans. Washington's band included a young Quaker torn between political principle and family loyalty, a swashbuckling sailor addicted to the perils of espionage, a hard-drinking barkeep, a Yale-educated cavalryman, and a peaceful, sickly farmer who begged to let him retire but always came through in the end. Personally guiding these everyday heroes was Washington himself. In an era when officers were gentlemen, and gentlemen didn't spy, he possessed a talent for deception--and proved an adept spymaster. The men he mentored were dubbed the Culper Ring. Historian Rose tells an unknown story of the Revolution--the murderous intelligence war, gunrunning and kidnapping, defectors and executioners--that has never appeared in the history books.--From publisher description

Table Of Contents

"As subtil & deep as hell itself": Nathan Hale and the spying game -- The year of the hangman -- Genesis of the Culper ring -- 711 and the sympathetic stain -- The man of parts and halves -- The adventure of the Culper ring -- On His Majesty's secret service -- Spyhunters and whaleboatmen -- The wilderness of mirrors -- Epilogue: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servants depart in peace."

Classification