Spies of the Revolution

by Katherine Little Bakeless, John Bakeless

A strange message in code! Messages in silver bullets and jacket buttons! Letters written in invisible ink.All across revolutionary America, spies for the patriots and the redocats are stealing through enemy lines, getting vital information.Who are these spies? No one can be sure. Who would suspect the schoolmaster, or a fourteen-year-old boy, a Quaker housewife, a Yankee farmer, a Boston Surgeon?Yet each one is risking his life on a secret mission that may change history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, American Revolutionary War, Childrens, American Revolution, Thriller

220 pages, Mass Market paperback

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Benedict Arnold wasn't the only traitor that was high up in the hierarchy of the American Revolution. One was the Surgeon General, Dr. Benjamin Church! Not only was he trusted to care for the wounded American soldiers but he was also a part of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and attended the Continental Congress as well!

This book shares the stories of various men and women, both on the side of the British and The United States, that spied for their country. A very interesting read that includes narrow escapes, ciphers and methods used for hiding information and other interesting facts.

Ages: 11+

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every once in a while it's nice to read a non-fiction. Especially one about spies.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when it was assigned in, maybe 4th grade? It was really the first thing that interested me in history. I think about it often and should read it now to see if it is as good as I remember

[Michael Goldfuss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read. Interesting backstory on what the founding fathers ultimately did to keep secrets from the enemy while simultaneously exploiting enemy secrets. If this were to be made into a film, it would be incredibly engaging. Loved it!

[Tamsyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's historically well documented, educational, and fascinating and entertaining. This book comes highly recommended.

[Patriot · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to learn all about the spies of the American war for Independence...then THIS is the book to read! Oh it was amazing!

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book I ever remember really reading. It must have been good, I've been reading ever since.

[Robert Prue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting to read.

[Shane Fritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting! I learned a lot.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good heavens. It's amazing how complicated espionage can get, and how honorable leaders can encourage and support it, as well as the many ways it can be accomplished. Definitely intriguing.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spies of the Revolution, by Katherine and John Bakeless, is a non-fiction story about spies during the Revolutionary War and their missions. The book tells the real story of many important spies, both redcoat and patriot. Spies of the Revolution informs the reader about spies and their secret missions, information retrieved from the enemy, and some of their devious schemes in an informative and interesting way. It focuses on many major spies during the Revolutionary War such as John Howe and Nathan Hale, although the book also reveals some unknown spies and their stories such as Paul Revere and even George Washington. Even though this book is a non-fiction story, it still grips the reader like a moderately good fiction book.

In my opinion, Spies of the Revolution, is a moderately good book because it incorporates humor, suspense, and surprise into a non-fiction book (which are usually bleak and lifeless.) This uncommon change really got me more interested in this book and made it more exciting. Spies of the Revolution was very entertaining to read in my opinion, not only because of it’s fiction-like twists, but because of its topic. Spies during the Revolutionary War is not a very common topic to read about, which made the book even more interesting and addictive. John and Katherine Bakeless did a great job turning this non-fiction, informational book into an engaging, immersing, and exciting story of the fearless spies during the Revolutionary War.

I gave Spies of the Revolution a 4 out of 5 because it was a very interesting story-like, non-fiction book. I would recommend this book to any readers interested in mysteries/spying as well as non-fiction readers who are looking for some new and interesting information. The unfamiliar twist within this non-fiction book really played into most of my rating, without the fiction-like twists I would have given this book around a two because I normally don’t enjoy non-fiction books. Overall, Spies of the Revolution is an interesting and engaging non-fiction story.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is only a coincidence that I finished David McCollough's "1776" a few weeks ago. This book covers the same few early years of the Revolutionary War, in the same places but specifically covers in much more detail and exclusively the importance of spies on both sides during this period. There is extensive coverage of Nathan Hale, Paul Revere, Benedict Arnold and many other brave men and women that risked their lives for the cause of independence from England. It was very pleasant reviewing a struggle for independence that didn't have CNN or Fox News telling us what to think. This book was well researched and referenced many diaries and collections from both the British and American leaders.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an older book that I found in my Grandpa's book closet when my family was cleaning it out. It would probably be considered non-fiction. People interested in history may enjoy it, but I think there are more interesting non-fiction books out there. I am glad I read it, and I found the stories of each of the spies fascinating. The writing style probably could have been better, but for an older book, I would say it's alright.