Invisible ink is composed of three distinct sections that many readers of spying and. The main section of the book continues to be organized around techniques, such. During the american revolution, espionage was critical to the successe. Nagy 19462016 was an expert on eighteenthcentury documents and espionage. Thomas fleming, author of over forty books, wrote john nagy has written another remarkable book about the intelligence war in the american revolution. Invisible ink spycraft of the american revolution paoli. John allan nagy was a nonfiction writer on the american. He was a consultant to colonial williamsburg and the university of michigan on espionage. Francis university, pennsylvania, and an expert on eighteenthcentury documents and espionage.
George washingtons secret spy war is the untold story of how george washington took a disorderly, illequipped rabble and defeated the best trained and best equipped army of its day in the revolutionary war. He received his ba from saint francis university, loretto, pennsylvania, where he is now a scholar in residence. Nagy, one of americas leading scholars on the subject. Read more during the american revolution, espionage was critical to the successes and failures of both continental and british efforts, and those employed in cloakand dagger operations. Ghost writers, were the russian spies using the same invisible ink you can buy at toy stores. These methods included dictionary codes, diplomatic. Spycraft of the american revolution, spies in the continental capital. John nagy discussed his book at the fraunces tavern museum in new york city. Nagy briefly traces the history of spy techniques from ancient china through elizabethan england before embarking on the various techniques used by spies on. John nagy, founding member of the american revolution round table of philadelphia, presents a history of espionage during the revolutionary war. Spycraft of the american revolution proves that truth is often stranger than fiction, perhaps particularly when it comes to spying. No historian working today can match the depth of his knowledge and the breadth of his insights. Spycraft of the american revolution by john a nagybuy. John allan nagy was a nonfiction writer on the american revolution with an expertise in the field of espionage and mutinies.
The american revolution round table of new york stated, the man john a. During the american revolution, espionage was critical to the successes and failures of both continental and british efforts, and those employed in cloakand dagger. Spycraft of the american revolution, discusses the codes, ciphers, chemistry and psychology of spying in the american revolution, in a talk recorded by podcast. 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. Smith national library for the study of george washington and the william l. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to. How to make invisible ink george washingtons mount vernon. Nagy s claim that george washingtons better military application of the intelligence gathered and disinformation dispensed proved key to the eventual american victory, invisible ink is not a monograph that develops that thesis in a systematic manner p. Spycraft of the american revolution, awardwinning author john a. Invisible ink by john nagy, 9781594161414, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Nagys claim that george washingtons better military.
These methods included dictionary codes, diplomatic ciphers, dead drops, hidden compartments such as a hollowedout bullet or a womans garter, and even musical notation, as well as efforts of. He was a founder and past president of the american revolution round table of philadelphia. Journal of the american revolution is the leading source of knowledge about the american revolution and founding era. Our work has been featured by the new york times, time magazine, history channel, discovery channel, smithsonian, mental floss, npr, and more.
Nagy 19642016 was an awardwinning author and a scholar in residence at saint francis university. David mccullough, author of john adams and 1776 wrote, john nagy fellow historian and revolutionary war scholar extraordinaire. Spies, dead drops, and invisible ink george washingtons mount. Spies, dead drops, and invisible ink george washingtons. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our.
Braddocks cipher is published in my book invisible ink spycraft of the american revolution. John nagy, founding member of the american revolution round table of philadelphia, presents a history of espionage during. Nagy briefly traces the history of spy techniques from ancient china. We feature smart, groundbreaking research and wellwritten narratives from expert writers. Over several chapters, nagy effectively lays out washingtons deception battle plani. Invisible ink museum of the american revolution philadelphia. These methods included dictionary codes, diplomatic ciphers, dead drops, hidden. A product of nagy s decades of searching for clues to the identities and methods of american and british covert operatives during the war, relying heavily on the underutilized british army papers of general henry clinton, nagy. Invisible ink should be on the shelf of everyone interested in the war for independence.
John allan nagy was a nonfiction writer on the american revolution with an expertise in the. John nagy, of mount laurel, new jersey, is a founder and current president of the american revolution round table of philadelphia. This article is about the writer, for the artist see jon gnagy. Discover book depositorys huge selection of john nagy books online. Invisible ink, also known as security ink or sympathetic ink, is a substance used for writing, which is invisible either on application or soon thereafter, and can later be made visible by some means.
Here is an interview conducted by staff of george washingtons mount vernon with john a. Meeting of october 14, 2010 old baldy civil war round table. Nagy describes the various techniques used by spies on both sides of the war to exchange secret. Spycraft of the american revolution proves that truth is often stranger than fiction, perhaps particularly. George washington was americas first spymaster, and his skill as a spymaster won the war for independence. Washington fed false information to british spies, prepared a standardized set of questions to root out real spies, used misdirection in attacking the british, and promoted the ingenious fabrication of invisible ink. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Nagy briefly traces the history of spy techniques from ancient china through elizabethan england before embarking. Nagy 2009, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay.
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