Nagy has performed a public service by showing that spying during the revolutionary war was not as thrilling or as visible as it is depicted in fiction. Spycraft of the american revolution is based on two decades of primary research. He was a consultant to colonial williamsburg and the university of michigan on espionage. John was an awardwinning author of four books on the american revolution, including invisible ink. John nagy, founding member of the american revolution round table of philadelphia, presents a history of espionage during the revolutionary war. Espionage across pennsylvania during the american revolution. Philo of byzantium may be the first writer known to describe an invisible ink using a reagent around 217218 bce, with oak galls and vitriol. Invisible ink museum of the american revolution gift shop. Nagy was born in perth amboy, new jersey and graduated from perth amboy high school in 1964. Over several chapters, nagy effectively lays out washingtons deception battle plani. Smith national library for the study of george washington and the william l. 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.
The american revolution round table of new york stated, the man john a. Join us on monday, january 12 th, 2015 as we welcome back john nagy to talk about his book invisible ink spycraft of the american revolution. Spycraft of the american revolution kindle edition by nagy, john a download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Nagy 19642016 was an awardwinning author and a scholar in residence at saint francis university. John allan nagy was a nonfiction writer on the american revolution with an expertise in the field of espionage and mutinies. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading invisible ink. Invisible ink is composed of three distinct sections that many readers of spying and intelligence gathering. Nagy briefly traces the history of spy techniques from ancient china through elizabethan england before embarking. Spycraft of the american revolution, discusses the codes, ciphers, chemistry and psychology of spying in the american revolution, in a talk recorded by podcast. Meeting of october 14, 2010 old baldy civil war round table. Nagy 19472016 was an expert on eighteenthcentury espionage. 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.
This did not include an invisible ink but the germans improved on the method during world war i and world war ii and they used invisible ink and microdots instead of pinpricks. Spycraft of the american revolution, awardwinning author john a. He was a founder and past president of the american revolution round table of philadelphia. How to make invisible ink george washingtons mount vernon. No historian working today can match the depth of his knowledge and the breadth of his insights. David mccullough, author of john adams and 1776 wrote, john nagy fellow historian and revolutionary war scholar extraordinaire. This book features stepbystep instructions on making invisible ink while encouraging further exploration on the topic. Invisible ink should be on the shelf of everyone interested in the war for independence. 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.
Invisible ink museum of the american revolution philadelphia. Braddocks cipher is published in my book invisible ink spycraft of the american revolution. As you detail in your book, both sides used invisible ink. Espionage across pennsylvania during the american revolution will be published in april. Spycraft of the american revolution, spies in the continental capital. The recent popularity of the amc show turn has increased awareness of the littleknown spy networks that helped washington defeat british forces during the revolutionary war. A product of nagys 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, nagys work. A littleknown history of deception, invisible ink, and other clandestine operations during the revolutionary war. Invisible ink, also known as security ink or sympathetic ink. Spycraft of the american revolution 9781594161414 by nagy, john a. Espionage across pennsylvania during the american revolution, and dr. Here is an interview conducted by staff of george washingtons mount vernon with john a.
A product of nagys decades of searching for clues to the identities and methods of american and british covert operatives during the war, relying heavily on the under. Spycraft of the american revolution john nagy, founding member of the american revolution round table of philadelphia, presents a history of espionage during december 7, 2005. During the american revolution, invisible ink was an important method of communication for spies on both sides. Spies by reporting the type of supplies being loaded on british transports were able to indicate the length and probable destination of the troops. Lemon juice, milk, and, for those most desperate, urine are the most commonly known recipes for invisible ink. Nagy was a scholarinresidence at saint francis university and a consultant on espionage to the fred w. Nagy, one of americas leading scholars on the subject. John allan nagy was a nonfiction writer on the american revolution with an expertise in the. Spycraft of the american revolution by john a nagy online at alibris. Spycraft of the american revolution proves that truth is often stranger than fiction, perhaps particularly when it comes to spying. A case of espionage on the eve of the american revolution.
Nagys claim that george washingtons better military. Spies, dead drops, and invisible ink george washingtons. Invisible ink spycraft of the american revolution paoli. Spycraft of the american revolution proves that truth is often stranger than fiction, perhaps particularly. Nagys 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. His books are rebellion in the ranks mutinies of the american revolution. John nagy john nagy is the author of invisible ink. Thomas fleming, author of over forty books, wrote john nagy has written another remarkable book about the intelligence war in the american revolution. He is an expert in antique documents, a consultant for the william l.
Nagy has become the nations leading expert on the subject. John has appeared on the history channel, cspan, and local educational tv and is the subject of a one hour interview on the pennsylvania cable network. Go search best sellers gift ideas new releases deals store coupons. The main section of the book continues to be organized around techniques, such. John allan nagy was a nonfiction writer on the american. It discusses the craft used by spies such as codes, ciphers, invisible writing, dead drops, mail intercepts, deceptions, and hidden compartments during the american revolution. During the american revolution, espionage was critical to the successes and failures of both continental and british efforts, and those employed in cloakand dagger. Ghost writers, were the russian spies using the same invisible ink you can buy at toy stores. Nagy is a president for the american revolution round table of philadelphia with two videos in the cspan video library. Mutinies of the american revolution, invisible ink. John nagy discussed his book at the fraunces tavern museum in new york city. Simple sentence structure and word usage help children develop word recognition and reading skills. Spies, dead drops, and invisible ink george washingtons mount.
Discover book depositorys huge selection of john nagy books online. Francis university, pennsylvania, and an expert on eighteenthcentury documents and espionage. Clements library of the university of michigan on espionage, and a scholar in residence at saint francis university, loretto, pennsylvania. The culpers warned washington of the british plan to attack the french as they landed in rhode island.
These methods included dictionary codes, diplomatic ciphers, dead drops, hidden compartments such as a. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. 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. Goes into a little too much detail on the different codes and ciphers used the better part of 2 chapters interspersed with codes, one or 2 examples might have been easier to tolerate. Join us on monday, january 12th, 2015 as we welcome back john nagy to talk about his book invisible ink spycraft of the american revolution. Nagy 19462016 was an expert on eighteenthcentury documents and espionage. Each book in the my science fun series includes a simple experiment for the earliest readers. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Spycraft of the american revolution and spies in the continental capital. By spy blog on wednesday, march 10th, 2010 comments off on spy book. Nov 11, 2009 fascinating book about the various types of espionage used by both all sides in the american revolution.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Spycraft of the american revolution, discusses the codes, ciphers, chemistry and psychology of spying in the american revolution, in. Spycraft of the american revolution by john nagy, 9781594161414, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. George washington was americas first spymaster, and his skill as a spymaster won the war for independence. Nagy 2009, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay.