
Invisible Ink: Spycraft of the American Revolution
John Nagy(Author)
Westholme Publishing, U.S.
Published on 1. December 2009
Book
Hardback
352 pages
978-1-59416-097-4 (ISBN)
Description
During the American Revolution, espionage was critical to the successes and failures of both Continental and British efforts, and those employed in cloak and-dagger operations always risked death. While the most notorious episode of spying during the war--the Benedict Arnold affair--was a failure, most intelligence operations succeeded. Spycraft was no more wholly embraced than by the American commander-in-chief, George Washington. Washington relied on a vast spy network and personally designed sophisticated battle plan deceptions and counterintelligence efforts, some surprisingly modern in form. In Invisible Ink: Spycraft of the American Revolution, award-winning author John A. Nagy briefly traces the history of spy techniques from ancient China through Elizabethan England before embarking on the various techniques used by spies on both sides of the war to exchange secret information.These methods included dictionary codes, diplomatic ciphers, dead drops, hidden compartments (such as a hollowed-out bullet or a woman's garter), and even musical notation, as well as efforts of counterintelligence,including "Black Chambers," where postal correspondence was read by cryptologists.Throughout, the author provides examples of the various codes and ciphers employed, many of which have not been previously described.
In addition, the author analyzes some of the key spy rings operating during thewar, most notably the Culper ring that provided information to Washington from inside British-controlled New York City. Based on nearly two decades of primary research, including the author's discovery of previously unrecognized spies and methods, Invisible Ink is a major contribution to the history of conflict and technology.
In addition, the author analyzes some of the key spy rings operating during thewar, most notably the Culper ring that provided information to Washington from inside British-controlled New York City. Based on nearly two decades of primary research, including the author's discovery of previously unrecognized spies and methods, Invisible Ink is a major contribution to the history of conflict and technology.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Yardley
United States
Illustrations
30 black & white illustrations & maps
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 152 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-59416-097-4 (9781594160974)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
John Nagy is an international authority on eighteenth-century documents and a successful author.