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86th out of 149 books
—
41 voters
The Dark Game: True Spy Stories from Invisible Ink to CIA Moles
From clothesline codes to surveillance satellites and cyber espionage, Paul B. Janeczko uncovers two centuries’ worth of true spy stories in U.S. history.
Ever since George Washington used them to help topple the British, spies and their networks have helped and hurt America at key moments in history. In this fascinating collection, Paul B. Janeczko probes such stories as t...more
Ever since George Washington used them to help topple the British, spies and their networks have helped and hurt America at key moments in history. In this fascinating collection, Paul B. Janeczko probes such stories as t...more
Hardcover, 248 pages
Published
October 12th 2010
by Candlewick Press
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Kelly Garwood
Janeczko, P. B. (2010). The dark game: True spy stories from invisible ink to CIA moles. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Genre: Informational
Award(s): YALSA-ALA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction finalist
Format: book
Selection process: McGorray, K. (2010, August 1). Review [Review of the book The dark game: True spy stories from invisible ink to CIA moles by P. B. Janeczko]. School Library Journal.
Review:
From George Washington and the Culper spy ring to the Soviet Union and the Co...more
Janeczko, P. B. (2010). The dark game: True spy stories from invisible ink to CIA moles. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Genre: Informational
Award(s): YALSA-ALA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction finalist
Format: book
Selection process: McGorray, K. (2010, August 1). Review [Review of the book The dark game: True spy stories from invisible ink to CIA moles by P. B. Janeczko]. School Library Journal.
Review:
From George Washington and the Culper spy ring to the Soviet Union and the Co...more
I'm not a nonfiction lover, but was immediately drawn to this book because of the topic. Janeckzo does a nice job of writing at the perfect pitch for teens--his chapters are just the right length, with a good, but not overwhelming, amount of information; his style is clear and organized, and never feels too simple or condescending. The book is organized chronologically, with each chapter focusing on a major war or conflict--the American Revolution, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Cold War, and present-day...more
You’ve probably watched some spy movies and, you may have even read some spy books but, have you ever thought about the history of spies? Like who are these people? How did they become spies? And, what happens to them afterwards?
Did you know that George Washington established the first spy network in this country? It helped him win the Revolutionary War!
So, think about those spy movies you’ve watched or books you’ve read. Have you noticed? Sometimes it’s not easy telling who the bad guy is or wh...more
Did you know that George Washington established the first spy network in this country? It helped him win the Revolutionary War!
So, think about those spy movies you’ve watched or books you’ve read. Have you noticed? Sometimes it’s not easy telling who the bad guy is or wh...more
This is a book about spies through the ages, mostly American. The stories are short and don't go into a lot of detail, but they are still interesting.
Product Description
From clothesline codes to surveillance satellites and cyber espionage, Paul B. Janeczko uncovers two centuries’ worth of true spy stories in U.S. history.
Ever since George Washington used them to help topple the British, spies and their networks have helped and hurt America at key moments in history. In this fascinating collectio...more
Product Description
From clothesline codes to surveillance satellites and cyber espionage, Paul B. Janeczko uncovers two centuries’ worth of true spy stories in U.S. history.
Ever since George Washington used them to help topple the British, spies and their networks have helped and hurt America at key moments in history. In this fascinating collectio...more
Teenage spy thrillers like the Alex Rider and Cherub series are always popular -- everyone loves the action, danger and derring-do in those stories! Paul Janeczko has researched and collected the stories of American spies through history, from the Revolutionary War days up to modern times. Did you know that George Washington, First President, was also our First Spymaster? It was his ability to recruit and use spies that gave him the information he needed to win battles, and eventually the war! D...more
In the book, The Dark Game: True Spy Stories, real spy stories throughout history are told. This book is not only intriguing, but also fundamentally exhilarating as you read about interesting spy stories all the way back to the American Revolution. As you start with simple invisible ink and spies infiltrating the enemy way back in the 1700s, you progress to the modern era where is there is an abundance of new technology just making the spy game more complex. Spies start to use recon drones to fl...more
This book traces the history of espionage, intelligence gathering, and spies from the Revolutionary War to the present, generally focussing on one person for each war or time. Who makes the best spy? Probably the most unlikely person whether that means a woman, a slave, or a completely trusted man. How did they get away with it? It depends upon the situation and the technology available. Why did Benedict Arnold, a trusted officer in the American Army, become a spy for the British during the Revo...more
I haven’t read a Young Adult book since, well, since I was a young adult. After a lifetime of reading “adult” books, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book, meant for a young audience, readily held my attention.
What was particularly satisfying was the amount of historical background provided for each spy. Their life and times are described in enough detail to give a well-rounded view without overdoing it and perhaps losing the interest of someone who is not familiar with the historica...more
What was particularly satisfying was the amount of historical background provided for each spy. Their life and times are described in enough detail to give a well-rounded view without overdoing it and perhaps losing the interest of someone who is not familiar with the historica...more
Good book, the writing overall is strong, but some sections are stronger than others. Six chapters cover the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Cold War and domestic moles. In Chapter 3, I was amazed by the section "Sabotage on U.S. Soil." There were details about World War I here that I had never read about before, like the blasts at Black Tom Island. The World War II story of double agent Juan Pujol (in Chapter 4) was similarly amazing. It was great to read abou...more
Secret identities. Befriending the enemy. Risking one's life for the cause they believe in. These are just a few examples of what one will read about in this book. I found that the author did an excellent job of describing the life of famous spies that were crucial to such wars as the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Cold War, and World Wars I and II. With a great deal of background information provided on the individual spies, one can easily get lost in the danger and excitement of each...more
This was a finalist for the YALSA Nonfiction Award. Janeckzo shows off his versatility with an engaging work of nonfiction. He's probably best known for his many books of and about poetry, but this nonfiction project gave him an opportunity to pursue a topic he's been interested in since he was a boy: spies. Starting with the American Revolution, Janeckzo takes readers through the history of espionage, primarily in the United States, up to the 21st century. The book focuses on prominent spies an...more
The book “The Dark Game” is a book about espionage throughout the ages from the civil war to current times. I found the book to be more of a list of people who were engaged in espionage activities and less of a story of how espionage came to be in this present day.
Although the book was informative it was a read that I never enjoyed to read it and it never had me hanging on each word at any point, which was disappointing because whenever I picture spying or espionage I think of a very suspensef...more
Although the book was informative it was a read that I never enjoyed to read it and it never had me hanging on each word at any point, which was disappointing because whenever I picture spying or espionage I think of a very suspensef...more
This book discusses some of the different spies in American history beginning with the use of spies by George Washington. The chapters of the book are organized chronologically by major conflict: the American Revolution, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Cold War, and present-day. Spies mentioned in the book include Elizabeth Van Lew, Rose Greenhow, the “Choctaw Codetalkers” (from WWI), Virginia Hall, and Francis Gary Powers (U-2 spy plane). It was interesting to read about some of the methods used by spies...more
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Finalist for the 2011 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults during a November 1 – October 31 publishing year.
Nothing about this book was super awesome, but nothing was bad either. I found it to be interesting and informative, but it didn't blow my socks off. I appreciate that Janeckzo really tried to get a little from the different eras in US history and didn't focus on James Bond gadgets and whatnot. I'll admit, this...more
Nothing about this book was super awesome, but nothing was bad either. I found it to be interesting and informative, but it didn't blow my socks off. I appreciate that Janeckzo really tried to get a little from the different eras in US history and didn't focus on James Bond gadgets and whatnot. I'll admit, this...more
This is by no means a complete history of espionage, but it doesn't try to be. It's a brief overview of some very cool spy stories, almost entirely American. Janeczko is at his best when he's writing the specific stories of individuals and small groups. And honestly, that's when the espionage gets the most interesting. Take the story of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Pujol_Garcia>Joan Pujol Garcia, a World War II double agent so convincing that he got an Iron Cross. To my mind, Janeczko wa...more
Aimed at YA readers, these well told accounts of famous incidents in American history of espionage will entertain and inform. The accounts tell little known facts about famous spies from Benedict Arnold to Robert Hanssen. The accountsdetail US espionage successes--and failures. Sidebars give information about technology,etc used by spies old and new. Good, fast read for anyone interested in US history.
Spy stories are always popular, and true spy stories are even better. Janeckzo, who wrote the benchmark book on codes for kids, gathered information about spies throughout American history, beginning with the American Revolution and ending with the relatively recent FBI mole Richard Hanssen. The author writes so well that it seems like really good fiction. Interesting and well done, overall. Junior high and up.
I thought this book would be very interesting and exciting but I could barely finish it. The stories it describes are boring simple stories that I have heard hundreds of time and are not entertaining at all. Only pieces of the book were interesting and those pieces were only about 25% of the book. I would not recommend this book to anyone because I honestly disliked it very much.
To me, espionage is an especially intriguing aspect of history that certainly did not get a lot of play in my HS history classes. While the author presents different stories involving different spies coupled with details of gadgets and training methods in a way that feels slightly disjointed, nevertheless, the material is fascinating and sure to pull readers in.
This is the latest recommendation by my granddaughter, a collection of espionage stories for young readers involving the United States from the American Revolution to the present. Well researched, the author strikes a balance with “spy facts” with the kinds of anecdotes that are sure to engage the reader. While I had some knowledge of certain aspects of espionage in our history, new information was fascinating (e.g., Civil War, role of women.) A surprising revelation to consider was how long it...more
Mar 25, 2011
Starkville Public Library Young Adult Section
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
non-fiction,
secrets-and-spies
An engaging overview of the history of American espionage, with the stories of master spies, traitors, and technological advancements, The Dark Game is divided into eras of espionage, most of which revolve around major American wars, beginning with the American Revolution and ending just before 9/11.
This was interesting informative book. I found it sitting in my high school's library (I am a teacher), I read it while in there, and enjoyed it. It was a long meeting.
The book is a brief history about spies through the various was that the US have participated in..
The book is a brief history about spies through the various was that the US have participated in..
This book is exactly what is needed for our new common core curriculum. The lexile level is high, but the subject matter is very interesting. If you enjoy James Bond, Mission Impossible or the Jason Bourne, movies, you will enjoy reading about the real deal.
REQUIRED CATEGORY: NONFICTION
Janeczko's book takes the reader through the story of the development of America's spy network. From the beginnings during the Civil War, to more recent stories from the CIA, The Dark Game is a truly engaging read especially for a work of nonfiction.
Janeczko's narrative is an easy to follow and fast paced adventure through a string of spy stories. Complete with intriguing photographs, the book was interesting from cover to cover. It made me want to go learn even mor...more
Janeczko's book takes the reader through the story of the development of America's spy network. From the beginnings during the Civil War, to more recent stories from the CIA, The Dark Game is a truly engaging read especially for a work of nonfiction.
Janeczko's narrative is an easy to follow and fast paced adventure through a string of spy stories. Complete with intriguing photographs, the book was interesting from cover to cover. It made me want to go learn even mor...more
This very informative book is fascinating, beginning with the idea that the Revolutionary War in America was won by out spying England. Lots of interesting tidbits, long enough so you learn (for me) some new things, but short enough to keep the pace going.
Great spy stories from the Revolutionary War through the late 20th century. Pretty amazing stuff. I found the bit about Agent 355 especially interesting. Explains so much about Y: The Last Man...
It really shows another side to a spy's life, how they are always on the run, the psychological pressure they're under, and the tools of the trade. Another book to put on the shelves.
Jul 18, 2010
Edward Sullivan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
young-adult-nonfiction,
children-s-nonfiction
A good follow-up to Top Secret, his book about secret codes, Janeczko writes with great enthusiasm about spies and spying from the American Revolution through the Cold War.
This was recommended as one of the best non-fiction books of 2010 for grades 5-8. It was interesting, and worth mentioning to those who would be interested in the topic, but not great.
This well-written, engaging nonfiction work about codes and spies should be a crowd pleaser with middle schoolers. I can't wait to booktalk this one!
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Spies Everywhere | 1 | 1 | May 07, 2013 11:28am | |
| Spies Everywhere | 1 | 1 | May 07, 2013 11:27am |
Paul B. Janeczko is a poet and teacher and has edited more than twenty award-winning poetry anthologies for young people, including STONE BENCH IN AN EMPTY PARK, LOOKING FOR YOUR NAME, SEEING THE BLUE BETWEEN, and A POKE IN THE I, which was an American Library Association Notable Book.
More about Paul B. Janeczko...
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