George Washington's Secret Six

The Spy Ring That Saved America

By: Brian Kilmeade, Don Yaeger

Narrated by: Brian Kilmeade

Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

From the cohost of Fox & Friends, the true story of the anonymous spies who helped win the Revolutionary War.

Among the pantheon of heroes of the American Revolution, six names are missing. First and foremost, Robert Townsend, an unassuming and respected businessman from Long Island, who spearheaded the spy ring that covertly brought down the British…before they, or anyone else, could discover their names.

Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger finally give Townsend and his fellow spies their proper due, telling the fascinating story of how they passed information to George Washington that turned the tide of the war. Using a network of citizen operatives that included a longshoreman, bartender, newspaper editor, housewife, tailor, and femme fatale, and employing a series of complex codes, the so-called Culper Spy Ring used sophisticated tactics to subvert the British.

Based on previously unpublished research, George Washington's Secret Six is a gripping history of these amazing, anonymous Patriots who risked their lives for our freedom.

©2013 Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"James Bond is a rank amateur compared to the heroic efforts of the Culper Ring. Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger’s work demonstrates why the story of the secret six should be anything but a secret in American history." (Harvey Mackay, author of Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive)

"A rollicking read by Kilmeade and Yaeger, acknowledging a long overdue debt to six American heroes." (Karl Rove)

"We would not have won the Revolution and secured our freedom, were it not for the leadership of George Washington and the courage of the spies he set in motion. George Washington’s Secret Six is a gripping and informative read." (Congressman Pete King, chairman of the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee, House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security)

Every one should know this story.

Every American should know this story. We should not forget what it took to build a nation. This is not a well known story but just as important to the revolution as any other famous engagement.

This is a well written story that is entertaining while at the same time accurate and factual. It honors history with the facts.

I would recommend this book to everyone I know!

Good story, well researched, audio just OK

This is a complex story integral with the Revolutionary War and birth of the nation. The book is well researched and gives a lot of detail to a part of our history most Americans have never heard. I recommend the book, the narration though is too fast making it somewhat hard to follow and things that into each other. Maybe a better read than listen.

Great awakening to our history.

Read the book then listened to the audio version. loved it both times. Looking forward to the next book.

Greater than oneself

An unknown story that should be in every school in this country on how our nation became independent through men and women who saw something greater than themselves.

Great story, every American should know!!!

Because of the technical nature of the information, the account of the Culper spy ring is very much like a news story. Since so little personal knowledge of the participants is known, making the characters come to life is near impossible. But Kilmeade takes the tact of presenting the story as a race against time and formula works to present a truly fascinating story of the American Revolution.

Great story, awkward narration

Interesting and factual historic account of unsung heros who played a mighty role in the founding of our nation. Unfortunately, the awkward rhythm of the narrator, who I thoroughly enjoy in his other roles of news and radio commentator, does not translate well to audiobook. I would highly recommend this book as a read and marginally recommend it as a listen.

Riveting!

Have been wanting to read this but didn't have the time.... Love the story clarifying the real story behind my affection for AMCs Turn

Great story wrong reader

The story was wonderful and the time spent by the authors to present it, is appreciated. It would have been better if the author had not done his own reading.

Another Great History Lesson From Brian Kilmeade

Probably the greatest and most successful individual user of intelligence in American History, it was said by George Washington’s British counterparts that he didn’t out-fight or out-plan the British generals...he out-spied them. This allowed him to out-maneuver and out-strategize them with his small army of patriots which were inferior in training and logistics, but not motivation, thanks to Washington’s magnificent leadership. After listening to Kilmeade’s narration of his excellent book on Andrew Jackson, I looked forward to this one. With endless energy and only a few curiously pronounced words due to his interesting regional accent, Kilmeade reads well and with no pretentions or attemps at phony voices Yet the listener can easily follow the storyline, which is researched in fine detail. Because it’s not a rewrite of history for political purposes, it’s a pleasure to learn a little more about those who put their lives on the line so we could be an independent and democratic nation.

The history of these spies is a remarkable one.

started listening and could not stop. I can only imagine the fear they had of exposure! I felt the greatness and admiration from the readers voice. well done.