If you need an excuse to read a book about spies, traitors of the American Revolution and the American Civil War, consider this to be it! In this post I am sharing several fiction and non fiction titles that will not only teach you about the historical events, but will also keep your interest while you read them!
Washington’s Spies by Alexander Rose
If this title sounds familiar it is probably because it was turned into a series on Netflix. The Series has a little more embellishment than the book does, but the book is still a very good read! If you are looking for more of an in depth look into the spy ring that helped America win her independence this is the book for you! This book will make your heart race as you feel the anxiety Abraham Woodhull felt as he spied for the American’s while aiding and boarding a British regular in his own home!
George Washington’s Secret Six
by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger
This is a fast paced overview of how the first spy ring, the Culper Spy Ring, came to be and the impact it had on our budding country. The authors start by introducing each of the individuals associated with the spy ring. We hear about how the ring came into existence and the British plots that were overthrown, thanks to the knowledge gained by the spy ring. There is a great chance America would not have won the Revolution without the individuals in the spy ring.
The First Conspiracy
by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch
This is a little known passage from history, but an important one. It is the early years of the Revolutionary War, and America’s position in the war is shaky. As if things were not bad enough for the fledgling country, a plot is hatched to destroy America’s currency in a large-scale counterfeit operation. America’s currency was already much weaker than Britain’s and an operation of this scale would destroy any chance of America gaining her independence—but can they catch all the culprits in time?
The Traitor’s Wife
by Allison Pataki
Who was Peggy Shippen and what was she really about? We know she became a traitor’s wife but how did this vivacious young Tory become the wife of a rebel officer, and then the wife of a traitor? Was it true love? A covert mission to undermine the budding republic, or merely a quest for wealth?
In a Traitor’s Wife, we see the early life of Ms Peggy Shippen unfold as told through the eyes of her personal maid. Clara is orphaned and destitute, with only one reference to help her provide for herself, luckily she land’s the job as personal lady’s maid The Peggy Shippen, the somewhat notorious daughter of one of Philadelphia’s most well known Tory families. What Clara learns over the course of her time serving Peggy Shippen, may be just the thing the rebels need to help them gain the upper hand in this war they are fighting– but will Clara be able to play her part when the time comes?
Time Enough for Drums
by Ann Rinaldi
So far this book still ranks as my very favorite. This is a story of 15 year old Jemmima, during the American Revolution. She is a staunch Whig, and she can’t believe that her father would employ John, a Tory, as her tutor . . . until she begins to put the pieces together that John may not be exactly what she thought and may, in fact, be a spy. . . . Ann Rinaldi weaves together all of my favorite classic elements in this book: revolutionary war history, spies, romance, and tough decisions which makes for a very intriguing read.
355 the Women of Washington’s Spy Ring
By Kit Sergeant
This book follows 3 women who played a part in spying in the American Revolution. All 3 of the women portrayed in this book were actual people. They lived and did the things (at least to a certain extent) told in the book. While I really enjoyed this story, there were a few things I would like to mention:1) the book is called 355, yet none of the characters in this book quite fit what we know about the actual lady agent known as 355 in the Culper Spy Ring of New York. That doesn’t mean that these women didn’t do great things for the American revolution. Neither does it mean that none of them could have been agent 355. To this day, the identity of agent 355 still remains a mystery, but none of these women quite seem to fit the bill so if you are picking this book in order to learn specifically about agent 355 you may be a little disappointed. 2) The book came to a rather abrupt ending. I respect and value when an author stays as true to the real history as possible, and as real life doesn’t have neat little endings tied up in bows, neither does this story. The story in this book was good. I felt that the characters did come to life for me by sticking closely to the history that is known about these women the author did well, but I would say this is more of a portrayal of events told, well, than a story with a plot. Read it and judge for yourselves- I’d probably say this is a 4 star rating as far as the story goes, but 5 star if you are reading to learn the history!
Rebel Spy
by Veronica Rossi
I couldn’t put this book down!! This book definitely had the most compelling plot that kept me on the edge of my seat through the whole book! Soo good! While this book also discusses the event that agent 355 is supposed to have had a hand in, the rest of this story is highly fictionalized. This makes for a very engaging read, but not quite as great of a history lesson. If you are reading this to learn about the events 355 played in the revolution read it, absorb the events, but be prepared for the fact that someone like this woman likely did not exist. However, if you are just looking for very compelling and entertaining historical fiction read it and enjoy every minute of it!
Behind Rebel Lines
by Seymour Reit
Emma Edmonds was a real woman, who had a love of adventure, good skills with a gun, and knack for disguise and blending into her surroundings. Canadian born Emma decided to run away from the only home she had ever known and to fight for the Union- truly it had not been much of a home to Emma. She disguises herself as a man and signs up. Her disguise works- until she is wounded, but instead of being sent home, Emma is offered the position of spy. She jumps at the chance. Read this book for a true spy story that gets your heart pounding!
The Secrets of Mary Bowser
by Lois Leveen
This is not a new book but I read it this summer and really enjoyed it! There’s nothing particularly summer-y about this book- it would make a great start for your fall reading! The Secrets of Mary Bowser is based off the true events in the life of Mary Bowser, the daughter of an enslaved father and a free mother, who was able to gain an education and a woman who helped in the underground railroad, and who acted as a spy for the Union during the civil war- in President Jefferson Davis’s own home! This book kept my attention for its entirety!
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