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Spying in America: Espionage from the Revolutionary War to the Dawn of the Cold War
Can you keep a secret?
Maybe you can, but the United States government cannot. Since the birth of the country, nations large and small, from Russia and China to Ghana and Ecuador, have stolen the most precious secrets of the United States.
Written by Michael Sulick, former director of CIA's clandestine service, Spying in America presents a history of more than thirty espionage cases inside the United States. These cases include Americans who spied against their country, spies from both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War, and foreign agents who ran operations on American soil. Some of the stories are familiar, such as those of Benedict Arnold and Julius Rosenberg, while others, though less well known, are equally fascinating.
From the American Revolution, through the Civil War and two World Wars, to the atomic age of the Manhattan Project, Sulick details the lives of those who have betrayed America's secrets. In each case he focuses on the motivations that drove these individuals to spy, their access and the secrets they betrayed, their tradecraft or techniques for concealing their espionage, their exposure and punishment, and the damage they ultimately inflicted on America's national security.
Spying in America serves as the perfect introduction to the early history of espionage in America. Sulick's unique experience as a senior intelligence officer is evident as he skillfully guides the reader through these cases of intrigue, deftly illustrating the evolution of American awareness about espionage and the fitful development of American counterespionage leading up to the Cold War.
Maybe you can, but the United States government cannot. Since the birth of the country, nations large and small, from Russia and China to Ghana and Ecuador, have stolen the most precious secrets of the United States.
Written by Michael Sulick, former director of CIA's clandestine service, Spying in America presents a history of more than thirty espionage cases inside the United States. These cases include Americans who spied against their country, spies from both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War, and foreign agents who ran operations on American soil. Some of the stories are familiar, such as those of Benedict Arnold and Julius Rosenberg, while others, though less well known, are equally fascinating.
From the American Revolution, through the Civil War and two World Wars, to the atomic age of the Manhattan Project, Sulick details the lives of those who have betrayed America's secrets. In each case he focuses on the motivations that drove these individuals to spy, their access and the secrets they betrayed, their tradecraft or techniques for concealing their espionage, their exposure and punishment, and the damage they ultimately inflicted on America's national security.
Spying in America serves as the perfect introduction to the early history of espionage in America. Sulick's unique experience as a senior intelligence officer is evident as he skillfully guides the reader through these cases of intrigue, deftly illustrating the evolution of American awareness about espionage and the fitful development of American counterespionage leading up to the Cold War.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2012
22 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
Michael J. Sulick
3 books4 followers American Spies will soon be reprinted in a paperback
edition by Georgetown University Press. The book is a companion volume to Michael Sulick's first study, Spying in America: Espionage from the Revolutionary War to the Dawn of the Cold War.
Author Michael Sulick, after a twenty-eight year CIA career, retired as the agency's Director of the National Clandestine Service, where he was responsible for coordinating the espionage activities of the US Intelligence Community and managing global covert operations on terrorism, weapons proliferation, and regional and country-specific issues. He also served as Chief of CIA counterintelligence where he strengthened collaboration with the FBI on major espionage cases. A specialist in Russian and East Europe, he was chief of the Central Eurasia Division responsible for intelligence collection operation and managing foreign liaison relationships in the region.
Overseas Mr. Sulick served as the senior CIA representative in Russia, East Europe and was also an officer in locations in Asia and Latin America. In 1991, he was the first CIA officer to enter the Soviet Union to forge new relationships with the intelligence services of a newly independent former Soviet republic.
A native of New York City, Mr. Sulick earned a Ph.D. in comparative literature from the City University of New York and an M.A. and B.A. in Russian Studies from Fordham University. He also served in Vietnam with the U.S. Marine Corps.
edition by Georgetown University Press. The book is a companion volume to Michael Sulick's first study, Spying in America: Espionage from the Revolutionary War to the Dawn of the Cold War.
Author Michael Sulick, after a twenty-eight year CIA career, retired as the agency's Director of the National Clandestine Service, where he was responsible for coordinating the espionage activities of the US Intelligence Community and managing global covert operations on terrorism, weapons proliferation, and regional and country-specific issues. He also served as Chief of CIA counterintelligence where he strengthened collaboration with the FBI on major espionage cases. A specialist in Russian and East Europe, he was chief of the Central Eurasia Division responsible for intelligence collection operation and managing foreign liaison relationships in the region.
Overseas Mr. Sulick served as the senior CIA representative in Russia, East Europe and was also an officer in locations in Asia and Latin America. In 1991, he was the first CIA officer to enter the Soviet Union to forge new relationships with the intelligence services of a newly independent former Soviet republic.
A native of New York City, Mr. Sulick earned a Ph.D. in comparative literature from the City University of New York and an M.A. and B.A. in Russian Studies from Fordham University. He also served in Vietnam with the U.S. Marine Corps.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 19, 2021
Spying in America
Espionage from the Revolutionary War to the Dawn of the Cold War
By: Michael J. Sulick
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
This book was one I received from freeaudiblecodes and I am so glad I did! It is so rich in information but also presented in an entertaining way. I was never bored. The book covers spying from the Revolution War to more recent times.
The more famous stories of spies I thought I would know a lot about because I am a big history nut but boy was I
arrogant and a fool! The book went into so much behind the story, with hidden secrets that I only knew a small portion of the story! I was amazed and excited! A lot of these were women too! It also discussed how slaves were used.
There were plenty of lesser known, or unknown to me, cases that were just as astonishing! Not only did the book describe the cases and who was involved but often more about the background of those people. This really made them come alive and gave me a glimpse as to why they did what they did.
If you like history, spies, a good mystery, or you're just a curious person than I would recommend this book! I was never bored and the narrator was excellent!
Espionage from the Revolutionary War to the Dawn of the Cold War
By: Michael J. Sulick
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
This book was one I received from freeaudiblecodes and I am so glad I did! It is so rich in information but also presented in an entertaining way. I was never bored. The book covers spying from the Revolution War to more recent times.
The more famous stories of spies I thought I would know a lot about because I am a big history nut but boy was I
arrogant and a fool! The book went into so much behind the story, with hidden secrets that I only knew a small portion of the story! I was amazed and excited! A lot of these were women too! It also discussed how slaves were used.
There were plenty of lesser known, or unknown to me, cases that were just as astonishing! Not only did the book describe the cases and who was involved but often more about the background of those people. This really made them come alive and gave me a glimpse as to why they did what they did.
If you like history, spies, a good mystery, or you're just a curious person than I would recommend this book! I was never bored and the narrator was excellent!
August 22, 2018
This is a good history on spying in America. The several times Sulick used 'hung' for 'hanged' were a bit distracting, but overall it was an interesting read.
When he reached the section on Soviet spying Sulick seemed conflicted. One moment he's decrying 'McCarthyism,' the next stacking up evidence that McCarthy had merely scratched the surface. I'm certain there were those accused by McCarthy who were innocent, but that list has been substantially shortened over time. He seemed to downplay the crimes of the Rosenbergs, but it's hard to imagine a more devastating leak than allowing the Soviets to create the nuclear bomb. All Soviet spying before and after pales in comparison.
Still, it's certainly worth the read if you wish to immerse yourself in the world of spying. And I do.
When he reached the section on Soviet spying Sulick seemed conflicted. One moment he's decrying 'McCarthyism,' the next stacking up evidence that McCarthy had merely scratched the surface. I'm certain there were those accused by McCarthy who were innocent, but that list has been substantially shortened over time. He seemed to downplay the crimes of the Rosenbergs, but it's hard to imagine a more devastating leak than allowing the Soviets to create the nuclear bomb. All Soviet spying before and after pales in comparison.
Still, it's certainly worth the read if you wish to immerse yourself in the world of spying. And I do.
April 12, 2020
I was gifted this book at work and began reading it on and off for a while. The case studies are very well referenced and the author does a great job of storytelling for each one; relating it to modern security issues.
October 10, 2017
This book was too short and written as a popular history rather than dealing with the real stories and problems of The US with espionage.
I would not recommend it
I would not recommend it
February 22, 2018
Souvenir from the International Spy Museum in DC. Good as a souvenir, but fairly superficial.
April 20, 2013
As usual, I received this book as part of a GoodReads drawing and despite that kind and generous consideration my opinions are candidly stated below.
The primary danger for any work on history is that the author will provide information with such force and determination that the result is as dry as a mouth full of crackers. Sulick's treatment of the history of espionage against the United States does not so suffer. His presentation of the topic is pleasingly broad, covering the long history of the country, but still provides enough specific detail about particular cases to inform and entertain.
The book is divided into five roughly chronological parts covering the Revolutionary War, Civil War, 1914-1945, 1930s and 1940s, and lastly the Russian spies around the development of the Atomic Bomb. While obviously there is some odd overlap the arrangement does make sense as later sections deal with specific programs within the government while overlapping in time frame with others.
Each part begins with an overview of espionage in the subject area or period in history and later sections within each part give specifics on individual spies. So a reader wishing for more of a brief reading could peruse the more global sections and skip those that relate to individual players for a briefer read. These are, at times, a bit redundant and of marginal usefulness.
In summary, the author does a wonderful job of taking a potentially dry topic and making hold the reader's attention. One is introduced to a few specific personages of spy fame but also given a sound overall understanding of why espionage works so well in America and entertaining insight on how the bumbling spies of yesteryear screw up and endanger themselves and their counterparts. A wonderful introduction to the real world of international espionage.
The primary danger for any work on history is that the author will provide information with such force and determination that the result is as dry as a mouth full of crackers. Sulick's treatment of the history of espionage against the United States does not so suffer. His presentation of the topic is pleasingly broad, covering the long history of the country, but still provides enough specific detail about particular cases to inform and entertain.
The book is divided into five roughly chronological parts covering the Revolutionary War, Civil War, 1914-1945, 1930s and 1940s, and lastly the Russian spies around the development of the Atomic Bomb. While obviously there is some odd overlap the arrangement does make sense as later sections deal with specific programs within the government while overlapping in time frame with others.
Each part begins with an overview of espionage in the subject area or period in history and later sections within each part give specifics on individual spies. So a reader wishing for more of a brief reading could peruse the more global sections and skip those that relate to individual players for a briefer read. These are, at times, a bit redundant and of marginal usefulness.
In summary, the author does a wonderful job of taking a potentially dry topic and making hold the reader's attention. One is introduced to a few specific personages of spy fame but also given a sound overall understanding of why espionage works so well in America and entertaining insight on how the bumbling spies of yesteryear screw up and endanger themselves and their counterparts. A wonderful introduction to the real world of international espionage.
October 18, 2012
Spying in America: Espionage from the Revolutionary War to the Dawn of the Cold War. The title is pretty self-explanatory. It is about people who spied against the United States during its short 230+ years of existence.
Now you might think that the subject matter might be a little boring. The only reason I signed up to receive a copy was because of recent books I have read that peaked my interest on the subject of espionage. And I'm glad I did because this was a very good book.
Michael Sulick wrote Spying in America because he could never find a study that included all those who spied against the U.S. in one compact volume. Mr.Sulick served 28 years in the CIA including stints as chief of counterintelligence and director of the National Clandestine Service. So you would hope he knows a little about the subject. He intends for Spying in America to be an introduction to the history of espionage in America. It includes over 30 spies which of course were not all of them, but each were chosen because of the importance or relevance of each case.
Spying in America succeeds in it's purpose. Each case is covered in short chapters which describe what happened without bogging down into tedious facts and dates. The stories are easy to read and keep you interested. It will scare you to find out how much some of these spies compromised national security, or how easily the government ignored the signs of espionage.
I recommend this book for everyone. I wouldn't be surprised to find it required reading in high school before long. It should be anyway.
First Reads giveaway recipient.
November 5, 2012
I found moments of this book hilarious, heartbreaking and slightly nostalgic in turn, but still could not bring myself to rate it higher due to the strong Republican voice I felt whispering in my ear throughout the book.
There is a plea beyond these stories. The former leader in the CIA is explaining to us, the masses and the hoi polloi (if you'll excuse the redundancy) about how urgent it is for us to give up this silly idea of individual rights and privacy- about how we can and should trade these individual freedoms in order to allow our country to remain vital, and yet, as admitted early in the book, there is no possibility of ever eliminating espionage.
If you are familiar with US History, many of these stories are already known to you. If you can either tune out the fatherly Republican voice that is bent on collecting complete data on all human beings in this country (at least), or agree that we can ethically give away the human rights we were given 230 years ago, enjoy the intrigue and drama of these stories.
There is a plea beyond these stories. The former leader in the CIA is explaining to us, the masses and the hoi polloi (if you'll excuse the redundancy) about how urgent it is for us to give up this silly idea of individual rights and privacy- about how we can and should trade these individual freedoms in order to allow our country to remain vital, and yet, as admitted early in the book, there is no possibility of ever eliminating espionage.
If you are familiar with US History, many of these stories are already known to you. If you can either tune out the fatherly Republican voice that is bent on collecting complete data on all human beings in this country (at least), or agree that we can ethically give away the human rights we were given 230 years ago, enjoy the intrigue and drama of these stories.
January 19, 2014
Spying in America is a brilliantly concise overview of our nation’s clandestine services. In one quick read Sulick has highlighted both our success and our failures as America has grown from an upstart nation to world superpower.
My lone criticism of his effort, and the reason for my average scoring of this book, is that he takes multiple opportunities to target Senator McCarthy’s efforts to limit Soviet espionage in America, citing the Venona documents to support his claim. When, in fact, the Venona documents do just the opposite and give credence to most of Sen. McCarthy’s claims.
Putting that aside, Spying in America is perhaps the best synapsis I’ve read on America’s covert affairs.
My lone criticism of his effort, and the reason for my average scoring of this book, is that he takes multiple opportunities to target Senator McCarthy’s efforts to limit Soviet espionage in America, citing the Venona documents to support his claim. When, in fact, the Venona documents do just the opposite and give credence to most of Sen. McCarthy’s claims.
Putting that aside, Spying in America is perhaps the best synapsis I’ve read on America’s covert affairs.
October 3, 2012
This is a charming book! Mr. Sulick is clearly a person who loves telling stories and he possesses a thorough and clear knowledge of the stories he tells. At times, he takes us to tug at the threads of history, and at others, he's warm and gracious, patiently guiding us on own personal tour through the NSA.
I'd really encourage Mr. Sulick to write more!
this is definitely a Good Read...
and i warmly thank the GoodReads program for providing it.
I'd really encourage Mr. Sulick to write more!
this is definitely a Good Read...
and i warmly thank the GoodReads program for providing it.
November 30, 2017
**ARC**
very interesting. learned about a few spies i didn't know and new information on the famous ones i did know. i liked the flow from one era to the next. it would be a great source for research papers for content as well as the multiple sources cited.
(Received free through Goodreads First Reads)
very interesting. learned about a few spies i didn't know and new information on the famous ones i did know. i liked the flow from one era to the next. it would be a great source for research papers for content as well as the multiple sources cited.
(Received free through Goodreads First Reads)
May 13, 2013
This was an interesting read. It's a good overview of significant spies in America (working against America) up through the Cold War. I'd be interested in reading an account by this author of spies working for America during the Cold War era. I suppose we'll have to wait many years for that due to the protection of those agents.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
December 12, 2012
I got this book free from Goodreads First Reads.
Spying in America is a very interesting book that is also very informative. Though slightly dry at certain spots, the information given is very interesting. It's like a real life spy novel, only with less action and more big words.
Spying in America is a very interesting book that is also very informative. Though slightly dry at certain spots, the information given is very interesting. It's like a real life spy novel, only with less action and more big words.
July 26, 2016
This book is exactly what the title says. It was almost told in too straight-forward of a manner, though. It felt very academic. I suppose I would have liked a bit more narrative flavoring. But, all-in-all, very informative. I picked up the sequel as well.
Want to read
September 17, 2012I just won a copy from Goodreads. Looking forward to reading it. I will write a review after I've read it. Thank you.
February 3, 2013
I received a free copy from the Goodreads First Reads Program. Interesting. I didn't know about most of these.
Read
February 18, 2014remarkable ,after old diaries + papers are discovered. especially neat to my mind are the oldest examples of spies we/I never knew about.
August 19, 2014
Very good book is you are looking for something to learn about.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews