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Top Secret Files
Top Secret Files: World War I, Spies, Secret Missions, and Hidden Facts from World War I
Flame throwers, spy trees, bird bombs, and Hell Fighters were all a part of World War I, but you won't learn that in your history books! Uncover long-lost secrets of spies like Howard Burnham, “The One-Legged Wonder,” and nurse-turned-spy, Edith Cavell. Peek into secret files to learn the truth about the Red Baron and the mysterious Mata Hari. Then learn how to build your own Zeppelin balloon and mix up some invisible ink. It's all part of the true stories from the Top Secret World War I. Take a look if you dare, but be careful! Some secrets are meant to stay hidden . . .
Ages 9-12
Ages 9-12
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 4, 2015
In October 2014, I reviewed a book called Top Secret Files of History: Spies, Secret Missions, & Hidden Facts from World War II. It is such an interesting book, and I discovered all kinds of new information about the hidden workings and wartime secrets that helped end the war. Now, the author, Stephanie Bearce has followed it up with a similar book about World War I.
Bearce has once again culled little known information about WWI and combined it with more well-known details and events in a book that will fascinate young readers. For instance, they will read about the secret society, the Black Hand, formed by the Serbian Army for the purpose of freeing Serbia from being ruled by Austria-Hungary, which led to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife and the start of WWI.
And then, in the section on Spies, there is the prospector/mining engineer Howard Burnham, who had lost part of his leg before the war in an accident. Working for the Allies, Harry traveled into German territory to do learn enemy troop positions. Howard has a photographic mind and didn't need to put anything on paper. In addition, he cleverly hid his surveying tools in his prosthetic leg and no one was ever the wiser. Readers will also read about brave women like Nurse Edith Cavell and Nurse Marthe Cnockaert, whose professions helped them spy for the Allies. After the war, Cnockaert went on to write spy novels.
One of my favorite stories in the Special Missions section are the dazzle ships. Radar was unknown in WWI, and the Germans had developed their submarines or U-boat to such an extent that Allied ships were being successfully torpedoed by them. A British naval officer named Norman Wilkinson came up with a unique way to confuse the Germans: camouflage the ships by painting the bright geometric patterns so the U-boats couldn't zero in on their position.
Spies, Secret Missions & Hidden Facts from WWI is chockablock with interesting facts, people and events. Towards the end of the war, as planes were being used more and more, the French were afraid that Paris would be bombed. What to do? Readers will discover the unusual solution the French come up with in this book. And speaking of airplanes, remember the World War I flying ace, Snoopy and his foe, the Red Barron. Well, readers will meet the read Red Barron in the section on Secret Forces.
And they will learn about some secret weapons that were used, like carrier pigeons and dogs, and Little Willie, the tank that was able to put an end to trench warfare.
Like it companion book, this one is also divided into five sections: Secrets, Spies, Special Missions, Secret Weapons and Secret Forces, each packed with all kinds of interesting information, and within that, readers will find inserts with even more unusual facts. And at the end of each of the five sections, there are activities and projects for kids to do that corresponds to the topic covered.
A Bibliography of Books and Websites is included for further exploration. Like Bearce's book on WWII, this volume is also sure to please young history buffs, or anyone else who like a good secret.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was sent to me by the publisher, Prurock Press
Bearce has once again culled little known information about WWI and combined it with more well-known details and events in a book that will fascinate young readers. For instance, they will read about the secret society, the Black Hand, formed by the Serbian Army for the purpose of freeing Serbia from being ruled by Austria-Hungary, which led to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife and the start of WWI.
And then, in the section on Spies, there is the prospector/mining engineer Howard Burnham, who had lost part of his leg before the war in an accident. Working for the Allies, Harry traveled into German territory to do learn enemy troop positions. Howard has a photographic mind and didn't need to put anything on paper. In addition, he cleverly hid his surveying tools in his prosthetic leg and no one was ever the wiser. Readers will also read about brave women like Nurse Edith Cavell and Nurse Marthe Cnockaert, whose professions helped them spy for the Allies. After the war, Cnockaert went on to write spy novels.
One of my favorite stories in the Special Missions section are the dazzle ships. Radar was unknown in WWI, and the Germans had developed their submarines or U-boat to such an extent that Allied ships were being successfully torpedoed by them. A British naval officer named Norman Wilkinson came up with a unique way to confuse the Germans: camouflage the ships by painting the bright geometric patterns so the U-boats couldn't zero in on their position.
Spies, Secret Missions & Hidden Facts from WWI is chockablock with interesting facts, people and events. Towards the end of the war, as planes were being used more and more, the French were afraid that Paris would be bombed. What to do? Readers will discover the unusual solution the French come up with in this book. And speaking of airplanes, remember the World War I flying ace, Snoopy and his foe, the Red Barron. Well, readers will meet the read Red Barron in the section on Secret Forces.
And they will learn about some secret weapons that were used, like carrier pigeons and dogs, and Little Willie, the tank that was able to put an end to trench warfare.
Like it companion book, this one is also divided into five sections: Secrets, Spies, Special Missions, Secret Weapons and Secret Forces, each packed with all kinds of interesting information, and within that, readers will find inserts with even more unusual facts. And at the end of each of the five sections, there are activities and projects for kids to do that corresponds to the topic covered.
A Bibliography of Books and Websites is included for further exploration. Like Bearce's book on WWII, this volume is also sure to please young history buffs, or anyone else who like a good secret.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was sent to me by the publisher, Prurock Press
September 3, 2022
Best book for people interested in the facts of World War 1.
Beautifully explained.
Beautifully explained.
September 7, 2025
Top Secret Files of History: World War I: Spies, Secret Missions & Hidden Facts from World War I is an excellent source of facts for older children to use when learning about World War I in history class. It gives them a view of interesting facts not found in a U.S. History book that spends a chapter on each part of history just covering the bare facts of the time period. Giving children sources for information to learn about how the people lived, what news items didn't make it into the history books and ideas about events that are interesting and exciting makes the study of history more meaningful and helps students learn to investigate, draw facts together and form opinions while solving problems, which are skills they will need as adults.
I want to thank Stephanie Bearce and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for my copy of Top Secret Files of History: World War I: Spies, Secret Missions & Hidden Facts from World War I that I won in the Giveaway.
I want to thank Stephanie Bearce and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for my copy of Top Secret Files of History: World War I: Spies, Secret Missions & Hidden Facts from World War I that I won in the Giveaway.
March 3, 2015
Top Secret Files: World War I is part of a nonfiction book series that provides interesting true facts about people, places and events. Did you know during World War I, wireless radios were not reliable? Homing pigeons were used by the military to send messages. The pigeons were accurate 95% of the time delivering messages. Homing pigeons were so important to the War that harming a pigeon was against the law. Did you know what was used to cover Air ships called Zeppelins during World War I? The material that covered the Air ships was made from cow intestines. It took more than 250,000 cows to make one Air ship. The book is filled with many more surprising historical facts that are also shown with photographs and illustrations. I learned a lot while reading Top Secrets Files: World War I and believe all readers will feel the same. I’m recommending five stars.
Review by Young Mensan Cyrus S., age 9, Greater New York Mensa
Review by Young Mensan Cyrus S., age 9, Greater New York Mensa
February 8, 2015
This book doesn’t just take the reader through the some of the key turning points of World War I with its profiles of spies and discussions of secret weapons. It also helps readers understand how much things have changed in one hundred years. Homing pigeons were still the most effective way to get send messages from the front to headquarters. Horses were used to pull supply wagons, airplanes were used to spy on the enemy instead of bomb them, and a razzle dazzle paint job could prevent the enemy from figuring out the direction a ship was going. A fascinating read.
September 21, 2016
I was born a couple of years after WWI ended and remember adults talking about the war to end all wars. I found Top Secret Files of History: World War I: Spies, Secret Missions, & Hidden Facts from World War I to be interesting and a good reference meant for older children.
I want to thank Stephanie Bearce, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for our copy of Top Secret Files of History: World War I: Spies, Secret Missions, & Hidden Facts from World War I that we won in the Giveaway.
I want to thank Stephanie Bearce, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for our copy of Top Secret Files of History: World War I: Spies, Secret Missions, & Hidden Facts from World War I that we won in the Giveaway.
February 6, 2015
The author has hit another grand slam! My favorite facts from this volume: razzle dazzle designs on navy ships, farmers using circus elephants to replace horses commissioned for war effort, the story of Cher Ami the carrier pigeon, why soldiers were advised to pee in their socks, and banned bratwurst (you'll never guess why!) I'm off to try the recipe for Doughboy Cake- you should be off to pick up this book!
April 15, 2015
Jam-packed with fascinating facts, historical photos that bring the text to life, visually appealing graphics, and interesting sidebars, TOP SECRET FILES: WORLD WAR I is an excellent addition to any home or school library. Short chapters will appeal to younger readers as well as busy adults, and the “Spy Training” hands-on activities at the end of each section make history fun. Highly recommended!
September 20, 2018
This book was amazing. It has so many interesting facts about World War 1 that I never would have thought of learning otherwise. It was easy to follow, not only for me, but for my elementary school siblings as well. And the cool crafts and activities were really fun to do. All in all, a really great book.
February 10, 2016
Even though this book is geared towards kids, I found it fascinating. The author explains things out in a way that is fun, exciting, and even has experiments to try at home. I finished the book in about two hours, but it was something so good that I couldn't put it down. I loved it! I think I found the next book I'm gonna read with my kids :)
January 1, 2015
I won this book from Goodreads; and after reading it will be passed on to my great nephews to read. I enjoyed the book and learned many facts that I didnt know about WWI. I think kids will enjoy the to do things listed throughout the book. I look forward to reading more in this history series.
February 10, 2015
A great little factbook that we'll definitely use to supplement our homeschool curriculum. Great for adding a bit of flavor to a period of history that's usually full of much drier texts.
January 3, 2016
Written in a simple language and manner, it feels like it's meant for 12-year olds; most "stories" are immensely simplified to serve that purpose, it seems.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews