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

"The British were being played, and from the least likely of corners. But they remained oblivious to the double-dealings in their midst. The parties went on. The coffeehouse debates continued as the officers went about surrounded by their circles of admirers. Major Andre's silly love poems were composed and published in Rivington's "Royal Gazette". The wine and words flowed freely as they bantered about their plans. The Army was in garrison -- comfortable, amused and completely oblivious to the fact that any shopkeeper, newspaperman, or charming lady in their midst was listening, remembering, and plotting,"- Brian KilmeadeThe place was New York City. The time was the Revolutionary War in America. The British Army under Sir William Howe had occupied this, the largest city in North America since September of 1776. General George Washington, commanding the rag-tag collection of professional soldiers, officers, and militiamen calling itself the American Army was camped outside of New York, smarting from the way in which he and his army were run out of that city, and looking for a way to get back in. The British had made their Headquarters there and in spite of Washington's fervent hopes of ejecting them, they would in fact remain there for the entire war. Washington absolutely had to find some way of penetrating inside New York and gathering intelligence on what the Brits were up to. And how he managed to do so is the subject of the truly fascinating book "George Washington's Secret Six - the Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution." by Brian Kilmeade of Fox News and Don Yaeger.Through correspondence between Washington and the spies or between the spies themselves, and through careful examination of business records. Kilmeade and Yaeger have compiled a richly detailed, and compelling tale of courage and sacrifice in the heart of the enemy: in British-occupied New York City. They tell the story of six ordinary colonial citizens, known as the "Culpers": Abraham Woodhull, a gentleman bachelor farmer, and Robert Townsend, a gently-natured Quaker merchant and reporter for a British publication; the Royal Gazette. They tell of the owner of that publication, and of a popular coffeehouse, James Rivington who was viewed by his countrymen as an outspoken loyalist to the Brits. We learn about Austin Roe and his tavern, and Caleb Brewster, a tough longshoreman who ferried much of the information to the Americans. And most interestingly of all (to me, anyway) we learn of a woman who has never been identified, known only as agent "355" in the correspondence. This young lady of society was able to pick up important scraps of information by flattering self-important British officers who thought of themselves as impressive lady's men while unaware of just how useful they were being to this lady.Between them, they provided information that: foiled a British attempt to flood American markets with counterfeit currency, and stopped a British plan to ambush the troops of the French when they joined the American cause. In one remarkable instance they were able to acquire a copy of the British Naval Code Book, and present it to French Admiral D'Estaing in time to aid him in defeating the British fleet off of Yorktown Virginia. This wound up cutting off the escape of Cornwallis' Army for the decisive victory of the war. And perhaps most importantly, they provided the information which enabled their leader, American Major Benjamin Tallmadge (Codenamed "John Bolton") to break the plot by Benedict Arnold to hand over the American fortress at West Point to the British. And we see how most of these "moles' wished to stay unknown for their brave and heroic service to our country at the moment of her birth.All in all, Mssrs. Kilmeade and Yaeger have given us a fascinating look at a chapter of American Revolutionary history about which little has been written before this book's publication last Fall.* It reads like... well like a spy novel, which is afterall exactly what it is.. only it's true!! I can strongly recommend it for anybody who likes a good tale whether they prefer fiction or non-fiction. It is a top-notch read!!!

First of all, I have read several books since I read Brian Milreade’s book on the spy ring during the American Revolution and I didn’t take notes so now my comments are going to be too general. Part way through I would have given it three stars but by the time I had finished it, I decided it might be worth four stars. I did finally end up enjoying it though I had problems with the early chapters where I thought the author painted with too broad a brush and lacked scholarly support.One of my objections is that the author never referred to the king as George III. He referred to him most often as the king and sometimes King George. There is no excuse for not identifying him as King George III since the king with his administration is the main culprit in causing the unconstitutional usurpations following the French and Indian War that ended in 1763 that led to the American Revolutionary war.The author did not seem to understand or at least appreciate that the colonists did not object to constitutional monarchy but only to the violations of their Charter rights which guaranteed to them the eternal rights of Englishmen just as though they were back home in England. The colonists with every king’s blessing had an elected lower house with the power of the purse. King George III was the first to ignore the guarantees that protected their lower houses.Some of you may disagree when you read the book but I don’t think the author made it clear that Abraham Woodhull, one of the spies, did not reject the authority of King George III because the king had been “born into his position.” To say that without clarification implies that the colonists opposed monarchy on principle whether absolute monarchy or constitutional monarchy.That was not true during American colonial history. It was unlimited power that the colonists opposed.The American colonists were proud of English history and its development into a strong constitutional monarchy with an elected Parliament the supreme of the law with the king under the constitution as well. Limiting the power of the king at crucial junctures of English history is England’s constitutional history and the colonists were proud of it and claimed it as their own since their Charters guaranteed those rights to them forever. They intended to maintain those rights long practiced.The title of the book is an overstatement since I don’t think there is any basis for anyone to maintain that the spy ring “saved” the American Revolution as important as its work was. On a far less important note when discussing the fifty pounds of lead that George Washington appreciated, the lead was referred to as “mettle”. It is a very old variant of the spelling which I have never seen used in a history book on history before. It is my understanding that by 1700 the distinction between “mettle” and “metal” had been fixed so by the time of the American Revolution the spelling would have been “metal”.One other quibble that some of you might appreciate is that the book calls Trenton and Princeton (Christmas 1776 and January 1777) the turning point of the revolution where-as every military historian I have read regards the battle of Saratoga in upper state New York in the fall of 1777, where General Benedict Arnold was able to save the day when the cowardly commanding officer Horatio Gates wanted to retreat, as the turning point of the war. The British General Burgoyne surrendered his entire army which was the first such occasion. The spy ring was not even organized until 1778 so I don’t see how it could be said to have “saved” the revolution.He also distracted me by going back and forth after the Declaration of Independence in referring to colonies or states. Once independence was declared and the Articles of Confederation was ratified as the new constitution, they were all states. Another point that distracted me was in a later discussion the author seemed to be saying that the “implied powers” in the Federal Constitution written after the war in 1787 was used to enlarge executive powers but the last paragraph of Section 8 in Article I shows that the implied powers was delegated to the legislative branch. The problem has been one of the power being misused by the legislative branch, not the executive.After having said all that, once he got beyond these issues and into the spy ring, the book got a lot better for me and I found each spy a fascinating study in his own right: Caleb Brewster, Robert Townshend, Abraham Woodhull, Benjamin Tallmadge ( a close friend of Nathan Hale’s) , Austin Roe, and Agent 355, an unidentified woman. It is really disappointing that no one after the fact, when it was safe to do so, ever divulged her identification and story. Someone among them had to have known it.It is annoying that even belatedly all the men finally received recognition for their vital contribution but not the only woman among them known as agent 355 who was a vital member of the ring. There were other women who helped do some spying but this book focuses on the secret six called the Culper Ring so named by Washington by abridging Culpeper County in Virginia.There seems to be an implication in the information provided about the super careful spy Robert Townshend, who did not want anyone to know his name and was given to much anxiety and trauma over the work he was doing, that he was very disturbed by the fact that Agent 355 was arrested and put in prison but apparently not executed as male spies were. This hints that he might have cared for this woman personally and if so, it seems inexplicable why we don’t know her name though we know Robert Townshend’s name. It is a bitter irony in a sense that this woman was never given any honor.On another issue Benedict Arnold was able to escape while Andre was executed which has always bothered me. Why the British would not give up Arnold to save Andre’s life is never discussed or explained. It is mentioned that George Washington was willing to exchange Andre only for Arnold but the British refused. Why they cared about a turn coat traitor willing to betray his side for money in exchange for a young, courageous man who had served the Crown faithfully with nobility and bravery is inexplicable to me and it frustrates me that the point is not even acknowledged.This story does mention that George Washington may have learned a difficult lesson from Nathan Hale who should never have been sent behind enemy lines without some training and some instructions from those experienced in spying. What Nathan Hale did makes you shake your head with deep regret for the waste of his life, a bright, educated and talented young man so naïve that in the midst of Loyalist surroundings, he was able to be induced to confide in a man who talked like a patriot but in reality was a strong Loyalist in one of the local taverns while he had the incriminating evidence in his boot.The point that was made in this book about Nathan Hale is that George Washington was therefore taught the priority of absolute secrecy and not allowing the names of the spies to be known by virtually anyone and that more sophisticated methods had to be developed in the codes used and the invisible ink employed and the system for making contacts made as obscure as possible so as not to arouse suspicion. The spy ring itself guarded identities with a grim vigilance and Robert Townshend carried it to an ultimate extreme.The book has given me a curiosity to read further. I do recommend this book with all my misgivings, caveats and objections. If the first chapters don’t appeal to you either, skim over them or take notes so you can complain about them in your book review. The chapters that begin with the spy ring are worth reading.

In "George Washington's Secret Six," authors Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger uncover the riveting story of the Culper Spy Ring, a clandestine group that played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. As General George Washington faced seemingly insurmountable odds following his retreat from New York City in August 1776, he recognized that traditional military tactics wouldn't suffice against the British forces. Instead, Washington enlisted the help of this carefully concealed intelligence network to infiltrate enemy lines and turn the tide of the war.The book delves into the lives of the six key members of the Culper Spy Ring, each of whom brought unique skills and perspectives to their dangerous mission. Through extensive research, Kilmeade and Yaeger breathe life into these characters, including Robert Townsend, the clever Quaker merchant; Austin Roe, the intrepid tavern keeper; Caleb Brewster, the fearless longshoreman; Abraham Woodhull, the skittish bachelor; James Rivington, the seemingly loyal coffeehouse owner; and the mysterious Agent 355, whose identity remains a compelling secret.With dramatic storytelling and thorough historical context, "George Washington's Secret Six" reveals how these ordinary citizens operated under immense pressure and danger to collect vital intelligence that would ultimately aid Washington's efforts. This engaging narrative not only honors their contributions but also highlights the importance of espionage in shaping the course of history. Perfect for readers interested in history, espionage, and the human stories behind extraordinary events, this book sheds light on the unsung heroes of the American Revolution who worked tirelessly in the shadows to secure their country’s freedom.

The last two books by Brad Meltzer have a plot that involves the modern version of the Culper Ring, supposedly continued to the present day from the time of George Washington. They are fiction, of course. This book gives the story of the beginning of the ring, and the valuable service it provided to George Washington during the War for Independence.This ring was founded to give vital information to Washington concerning the British troops and warships stationed in New York City. Most of the members were from Long Island, which happens to be the home of Brian Kilmeade, one of the authors. The reader fist learns of the fate of Nathan Hale, hanged by the British as a spy. That event prompted Washington to try to organize a very secret group of folks who could furnish him information that he needed to know about what was happening in New York City once the British chased the American forces out.Several men, and apparently one woman, were part of this ring, and they gathered information for Washington at great danger to themselves, and their lives. If caught by the British, they would have most assuredly been hanged. Despite this dread threat, they continued to provide the needed information right until the end of the British occupation, even informing Washington about the British troops at Yorktown, and passing on the British naval code that assisted the French fleet in keeping the British bottled up on the James River.As part of this tale, the authors relate the events concerning Benedict Arnold's intention to turn over West Point to the British, which would have dealt a devastating blow to the American cause. The Ring gave information about this possible plot, but it was in several unconnected messages, and was not really discovered until Major John Andre was captured by several militia men, purely by chance. The papers Andre carried exposed the plot, and he was hanged, most probably in retaliation for the death of Nathan Hale. Unfortunately, Arnold was able to escape justice, but West Point was saved.This book gives the reader insight into an almost completely unknown aspect of the Revolution, and the writing is crisp and breezy, allowing the reader to follow the story very well, from beginning to end. The authors have done an excellent job of providing new information to readers and those interested in history, and they should be applauded, as this is a book that I can highly recommend.

This is the kind of reading children in grade school history class could benefit from. A true tribute to the founders and to the many unsung heroes of the American Revolution.

I am a Fox News and Brian Kilmeade fan so it pains me to not give this book a higher rating, but I would describe this book overall as a dud. It had all the appearances of being a very fascinating read on a very interesting topic, but the book fell short on specific details with regard to how information was obtained and what information was being passed by the Secret Six. I was hoping for something more than repeated references to overhearing conversations and troop numbers and locations in this regard. I am sure the Six were more active than simply ease dropping. I am also sure they endured more close-calls with being discovered than is presented in the book. Of course my disappointment may not be properly projected on the author - the truth may not be known to anyone. I do recommend this book to anyone of almost any age interested in the importance of intelligence in achieving success on the battlefield. Something's never change. The book is a great start and I hope someone can find a way to dig a little deeper and give us more details on all our intelligence activities during our fight for independence.

George Washington's Secret Six is an engaging, easy read that tells the story of a little-known spy ring that was arguably essential to the American victory in the war for independence. If you would rather read about historical people and personalities than battle plans and troop movements, this is the book for you.My only argument with the book is whether one could truly consider it non-fiction or whether it is more fictionalized fiction. There are references with descriptions given at the back of the book (although not footnoted within the text itself), and Kilmeade talks of meeting with the CIA' chief historian. All of which leads me to give the benefit of the doubt to the story-like telling of the narrative.However, the amateur historian in me pauses a bit when dialogue and internal thoughts are given as factual. I remember one particular passage where during a meeting between Townsend and Woodhull the latter scratched at a bit of wax on a table and the former banged his fist on the same table making the candles jump. It's a passage as well written as any in a historical novel, but does it belong in non-fiction? I suppose those actions and the dialogue could have been constructed from memoirs of the individuals involved, but given their desire for secrecy, it's not likely that they would have included this level of detail.I do not mean to sound overly critical. I would recommend this book to anyone and if it makes the reading of history more enjoyable, so much the better. If we just left it up to the dry tomes we were required to read in school, these brave men (and one woman) would be lost to us. Therefore, I am giving this one four stars.On a side note: As a writer of historical fiction, I want to give a shout out to Tiffany Yecke Brooks who, given the acknowledgments, I suspect had a hand in the more fanciful parts of the story. You did indeed find a sweet spot, and I enjoyed them immensely. I hate to admit it, but I think Major Andre was my favorite character.

“Washington did not really outfight the British, he simply outspied us!”—Major George Beckwith, British Intelligence Officer, 1782-1783Did you know that there was a circle of spies employed by General George Washington during the Revolutionary War? Did you also know that they operated out of Setauket on Long Island and in Manhattan in New York City and that they provided crucial information to the general who was entrenched in Connecticut after being routed by the British in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Heights in 1776? Well, it’s all true, and Brian Kilmeade along with Don Yeager did a masterful job uncovering the spy ring’s existence and writing about it in a book entitled George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution.Brian Kilmeade, host of the Fox and Friends morning TV show, and Don Yaeger, previously an Associate Editor at Sports Illustrated and author of twenty-three books, have done incredible research for over 20 years about the six spies who comprised the Culper Ring established by Washington to find out what the British were up to in New York City, that strategic city in the revolution because of its deep-water harbor and access to the Hudson River for movement of troops along the East Coast. The ring was instrumental in the winning of the war, reporting on British troop movements, replenishing of supplies, and strategic plans such as those they stole which helped the Americans defeat the British at Yorktown, Virginia, the last and arguably the most important battle of the war.The authors do a convincing job of telling the stories of the five men and one woman in the ring who worked at obtaining secrets the British would not have wanted known. It is intriguing how the spies hid in plain sight and how they disguised their reports to General Washington. In addition, there is a revealing passage about how General Benedict Arnold became a traitor in 1780 and why he did so after being a hero for the Americans at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. Make sure you read the Epilogue at the end of the book to find out how the accomplishments of these spies have influenced counterintelligence today.The writing style is thankfully fluid and engaging, meaning that you won’t get stuck with flowery passages or confusing explanations. Another plus is that the book is concise without leaving out the substance of the historical record. For me, history books should have both these qualities. This is a highly recommended book for those who want to be fascinated by the Revolutionary War period and captivated by the men and women who sacrificed for the cause of liberty.

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.

Great readEntertainingVery happy

I bought this as a present for my nephew who is studying history in university. He loved the book, and said he finished it in a couple of days. Now I want to read it, as it sounded like a great history story that most people never knew.

Gutes Buch, günstig, hilfreich, schnell da - alles gut, jederzeit gerne wieder!

Everytime I think I know what happened during the Revolutionary War, I read a book like this one and learn even more. These six spies behaved like they needed to (without publicity) during the war and after. Nathan Hale had courage; these six had guile and guts.