George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution

Let me start by saying I really wanted to like this book, because the story of Washington's spy network is so compelling. But I read history, rather than historical novels, and this book reads like a novel. For example: "The taper on the wax candle atop Knowlton's desk a little as tiny flecks of ash fell onto the wood; otherwise, the room was silent." (page 22) Or: "Washington had smiled a little, in spite of himself, as he closed the letter with greetings sent to his sister-in-law and her children." How could Kilmeade know such details? He couldn't, so he made them up. Worse, he repeats the grade-school story of drunk Hessians at Trenton, which has been thoroughly debunked by true historians. I didn't read past chapter three, choosing instead to read an actual history of the subject.

If you love the AMC TV show TURN: Washington's Spies, you'll love this non-fiction account of the same topic. I know the show was actually created from Alexander Rose's history book "Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring" but they were both on sale on Kindle and I couldn't decide so I just got both and wound up reading this one first. And honestly, I'm not sure how or why the show claims to be based on a non-fiction book when a non-fiction book is factual... so really, it's just based on history, and this is also a non-fictional book about that history.I honestly had no idea just how important espionage was during the Revolutionary War. When I thought of this topic, I thought of what I learned in school: founding fathers, minutemen, Paul Revere, etc. But now I know it's so much more than that, and there was so much more going on in the background. They don't teach this in schools, but they should, maybe kids would pay attention.Never boring or dry, this book really pulls you into the spy ring and let's you get to know each individual involved. At the end, it also explores who female agent 355 might have been. Sometimes, it's so juicy, I can't believe it really happened. It was interesting to compare and contrast it with the show too, which did add some fictional elements and make some changes, but not so much that it draws away from the real history, which makes me love the show even more.This is precisely the kind of history book I would recommend to people who (wrongly) think history is boring, but it's also thrilling for those who already appreciate history. I don't think I've ever blown through non-fiction this fast.

If you're looking for a thought provoking, historical account of this fascinating part of the American Revolution, then I would recommend Washington's Spies by Alexander Rose over GW Secret Six. It is well written, fast paced and packed with footnotes and references (yes, there are a few missing sources on some prominent figures).However, if you're looking for a book with a historical backdrop and some interesting characters that's short on scholarship and accuracy then you might like this book.Therein lies the rub. A handful of footnotes and references does not make this a history book. This is a work of historical fiction and should be classified as such. You might enjoy reading it, but I have always believed that real history in and of itself is by far more interesting than anything any author could conjure up in the comfort of their 21st century office.

Amazing! This book reads like a thriller, and is even more thrilling because it's not fiction! Not only is it a fantastic way to absorb American history- it's one for all ages! I'm a home schooling mother of three (a twelve year old and two teens) who has just added it to required reading for the year! This is a must read- even for people who love history but hate to read!

I do hope more people learn a little something about early espionage, but I didn’t check out this book before I bought it - and paid for it. There are no footnotes so it’s hard to check out facts, but there are enough unsupported statements to make you wonder about the rest of it. For instance, the preface claims the Culper Ring was instrumental in uncovering Benedict Arnold, but the text never supports it. It says one spy must have heard something, but there are no reports from her. Another spy is claimed to have reported seeing a ship with an unnamed British spy on it (he reported knowing the enemy spy but didn’t name him). And Tallmadge put all of this together just in time to out Benedict Arnold. But it didn’t happen that way and Tallmadge admitted it. Even in this book!But we’re dealing with FOX here so facts are simply whatever you choose to believe, like FOX is “the most patriotic company in America” and Roger Ailes “deserves thanks” for hiring him. That’s where I made my mistake: I didn’t know the “author” was just a lesser expresser on FOX and Friends, using other people’s research and a real writer to produce something patrio-nifty with his name on it. It’s ironic that the “like new” copy I bought is so warped it wobbles on the table like a potato chip. Seriously. I’d make a joke about “Fair and Balanced” but for some it wouldn’t be patriotic. Instead buy a real history book on Washington’s spy ring.

Watched Turn with Jamie Bell and was intrigued by the Culper Ring. So bought this book next. I like the idea of using new ways to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles i.e. the British army/navy. The Ring was made up of ordinary but brave people. Such an interesting part of US history.

Excellent book on the little known Spy Ring Washington had set-up in NYC during the war to spy on the British.

a good spy story all true back in the days that you don't associate with spying. thrilling..

A really enlightening book excellent

Great, tense and romantic story of the spies who defeated the British army. From this book the series Turn was based and both are fabulously entertaining.