Nagy 19642016 was an awardwinning author and a scholar in residence at saint francis university. Nagy briefly traces the history of spy techniques from ancient china through elizabethan england before embarking on the various techniques used by spies on. Nagy briefly traces the history of spy techniques from ancient china through elizabethan england before embarking. 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. 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.
Braddocks cipher is published in my book invisible ink spycraft of the american revolution. During the american revolution, invisible ink was an important method of communication for spies on both sides. John was an awardwinning author of four books on the american revolution, including invisible ink. George washington was americas first spymaster, and his skill as a spymaster won the war for independence. Spycraft of the american revolution, awardwinning author john a. Spies, dead drops, and invisible ink george washingtons. John allan nagy was a nonfiction writer on the american revolution with an expertise in the. Nagy briefly traces the history of spy techniques from ancient china. David mccullough, author of john adams and 1776 wrote, john nagy fellow historian and revolutionary war scholar extraordinaire. Invisible ink by john nagy, 9781594161414, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
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. Francis university, pennsylvania, and an expert on eighteenthcentury documents and espionage. Nagy 2009, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. 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. We feature smart, groundbreaking research and wellwritten narratives from expert writers. Spycraft of the american revolution by john a nagybuy. Ghost writers, were the russian spies using the same invisible ink you can buy at toy stores. John nagy, of mount laurel, new jersey, is a founder and current president of the american revolution round table of philadelphia. He received his ba from saint francis university, loretto, pennsylvania, where he is now a scholar in residence.
This article is about the writer, for the artist see jon gnagy. 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. Invisible ink should be on the shelf of everyone interested in the war for independence. John nagy discussed his book at the fraunces tavern museum in new york city. He was a consultant to colonial williamsburg and the university of michigan on espionage. Nagy was a scholarinresidence at saint francis university and a consultant on espionage to the fred w.
Invisible ink museum of the american revolution philadelphia. Nagys claim that george washingtons better military. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. These methods included dictionary codes, diplomatic ciphers, dead drops, hidden. John allan nagy was a nonfiction writer on the american. Our work has been featured by the new york times, time magazine, history channel, discovery channel, smithsonian, mental floss, npr, and more. Here is an interview conducted by staff of george washingtons mount vernon with john a. Nagy 19462016 was an expert on eighteenthcentury documents and espionage. During the american revolution, espionage was critical to the successes and failures of both continental and british efforts, and those employed in cloakand dagger. He was a founder and past president of the american revolution round table of philadelphia.
The american revolution round table of new york stated, the man john a. During the american revolution, espionage was critical to the successe. Thomas fleming, author of over forty books, wrote john nagy has written another remarkable book about the intelligence war in the american revolution. Spycraft of the american revolution proves that truth is often stranger than fiction, perhaps particularly when it comes to spying. Over several chapters, nagy effectively lays out washingtons deception battle plani. Discover book depositorys huge selection of john nagy books online. 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. Spycraft of the american revolution, discusses the codes, ciphers, chemistry and psychology of spying in the american revolution, in a talk recorded by podcast. John nagy, founding member of the american revolution round table of philadelphia, presents a history of espionage during the revolutionary war. John nagy, founding member of the american revolution round table of philadelphia, presents a history of espionage during. Journal of the american revolution is the leading source of knowledge about the american revolution and founding era. Meeting of october 14, 2010 old baldy civil war round table.
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. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. 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. Spycraft of the american revolution, spies in the continental capital. Spycraft of the american revolution proves that truth is often stranger than fiction, perhaps particularly. Invisible ink, john a nagy shop online for books in. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to. 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. 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.
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