Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I live on Long Island, near Setauket, the scene of much of the action in this book. A local historian wrote a review of this book for our hometown newspaper in which she compared "Washington's Spies" to the currently popular "George Washington's Secret Six" by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yeager. Here is some of what she had to say: "Kilmeade and Yaeger have spun more than one story here. This non-fiction book hovers dangerously close to the side of fiction" [whereas] "Historians can refer with confidence to Alexander Rose’s book." The reviewer provides this side-by-side comparison of Rose’s book with Kilmeade’s and Yaeger’s: “Washington’s Spies” Bibliography: 16½ pages, including 4½ pages of primary sources alone. Notes: 60 pages, documenting every quotation and inference. “Secret Six” Bibliography: 6 pages, with 3 primary sources listed. Notes: None. I will add this: Not only is "Washington's Spies" the better history, it is well-written history that will keep you reading from cover to cover. It's not just about the Culper Spy Ring; it's also an interesting look at life in New York City and on Long Island during the Revolutionary War. You will gain added insight as to why the British lost that war and their American colonies by indulging in neglect, greed, corruption, and brutality that ultimately hardened the resolve of Patriots and lost the allegiance of many disheartened Loyalists. I give 5-stars to "Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring."