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Nathan Hale: The Life and Death of America's First Spy
The first biography in nearly a century of the legendary Revolutionary War patriot and our country’s first spy.
Few Americans know much more about Nathan Hale than his famous last “I only regret that I have one life left to give for my country.” But who was the real Nathan Hale?
M. William Phelps charts the life of this famed patriot and Connecticut’s state hero, following Hale’s rural childhood, his education at Yale, and his work as a schoolteacher. Even in his brief career, he distinguished himself by offering formal lessons to young women. Like many young Americans, he soon became drawn into the colonies’ war for independence, becoming a captain in Washington’s army. When the general was in need of a spy, Hale willingly rose to the challenge, bravely sacrificing his life for the sake of American liberty.
Using Hale’s own journals and letters as well as testimonies from his friends and contemporaries, Phelps depicts the Revolution as it was seen from the ground. From the confrontation in Boston to the battle for New York City, readers experience what life was like for an ordinary soldier in the struggling Continental army.
In this impressive, well-researched biography, Phelps separates historical fact from long-standing myth to reveal the life of Nathan Hale, a young man who deserves to be remembered as an original American patriot.
Few Americans know much more about Nathan Hale than his famous last “I only regret that I have one life left to give for my country.” But who was the real Nathan Hale?
M. William Phelps charts the life of this famed patriot and Connecticut’s state hero, following Hale’s rural childhood, his education at Yale, and his work as a schoolteacher. Even in his brief career, he distinguished himself by offering formal lessons to young women. Like many young Americans, he soon became drawn into the colonies’ war for independence, becoming a captain in Washington’s army. When the general was in need of a spy, Hale willingly rose to the challenge, bravely sacrificing his life for the sake of American liberty.
Using Hale’s own journals and letters as well as testimonies from his friends and contemporaries, Phelps depicts the Revolution as it was seen from the ground. From the confrontation in Boston to the battle for New York City, readers experience what life was like for an ordinary soldier in the struggling Continental army.
In this impressive, well-researched biography, Phelps separates historical fact from long-standing myth to reveal the life of Nathan Hale, a young man who deserves to be remembered as an original American patriot.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 16, 2008
48 people are currently reading
961 people want to read
About the author
M. William Phelps
88 books1,159 followersCrime, murder and serial killer expert, creator/producer/writer and former host of the Investigation Discovery series DARK MINDS, acclaimed, award-winning investigative journalist M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 30 books and winner of the 2013 Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award and the 2008 New England Book Festival Award. A highly sought-after pundit, Phelps has made over 100 media-related television appearances: Early Show, The Today Show, The View, Fox & Friends, truTV, Discovery Channel, Fox News Channel, Good Morning America, TLC, BIO, History, Oxygen, OWN, on top of over 100 additional media appearances: USA Radio Network, Catholic Radio, Mancow, Wall Street Journal Radio, Zac Daniel, Ave Maria Radio, Catholic Channel, EWTN Radio, ABC News Radio, and many more.
Phelps is also a member of the Multidisciplinary Collaborative on Sexual Crime and Violence (MCSCV), also known as the Atypical Homicide Research Group (AHRG) at Northeastern University, maintained by NU alumni Enzo Yaksic.
Phelps is one of the regular and recurring experts frequently appearing on two long-running series, Deadly Women and Snapped. Radio America calls Phelps “the nation’s leading authority on the mind of the female murderer,” and TV Rage says, “M. William Phelps dares to tread where few others will: into the mind of a killer.” A respected journalist, beyond his book writing Phelps has written for numerous publications—including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant—and consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter.
Phelps grew up in East Hartford, CT, moved to Vernon, CT, at age 12, where he lived for 25 years. He now lives in a reclusive Connecticut farming community north of Hartford.
Beyond crime, Phelps has also written several history books, including the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling NATHAN HALE: The Life and Death of America’s First Spy, THE DEVIL’S ROOMING HOUSE, THE DEVIL’S RIGHT HAND, MURDER, NEW ENGLAND, and more.
Phelps is also a member of the Multidisciplinary Collaborative on Sexual Crime and Violence (MCSCV), also known as the Atypical Homicide Research Group (AHRG) at Northeastern University, maintained by NU alumni Enzo Yaksic.
Phelps is one of the regular and recurring experts frequently appearing on two long-running series, Deadly Women and Snapped. Radio America calls Phelps “the nation’s leading authority on the mind of the female murderer,” and TV Rage says, “M. William Phelps dares to tread where few others will: into the mind of a killer.” A respected journalist, beyond his book writing Phelps has written for numerous publications—including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant—and consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter.
Phelps grew up in East Hartford, CT, moved to Vernon, CT, at age 12, where he lived for 25 years. He now lives in a reclusive Connecticut farming community north of Hartford.
Beyond crime, Phelps has also written several history books, including the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling NATHAN HALE: The Life and Death of America’s First Spy, THE DEVIL’S ROOMING HOUSE, THE DEVIL’S RIGHT HAND, MURDER, NEW ENGLAND, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 23, 2009
The only reason this book received two stars from me was because in the end, it did have some information in it that I didn't previously know. Otherwise, the book was poorly researched (he quotes more historians than primary sources it seems) and poorly written. Full names were used over and over again (Washington is well known enough to go by his last name), and extensive background was given for even the most minor of characters. Every British soldier was apparently a terrible, godless person, as opposed to Nathan Hale who was heroic. Not once does Phelps mention that atrocities were committed by both sides, rather, the British spies are awful, sketchy people yet Hale is heroic and patriotic.
Phelps is so biased towards Hale that it's almost nauseating at times, repeating yet and yet again how courageous and noble Hale was, even as a youth. The word "perhaps" is also used much too frequently for a scholarly work. All in all, I gleaned a few useful things from this book but I wouldn't recommend it.
Phelps is so biased towards Hale that it's almost nauseating at times, repeating yet and yet again how courageous and noble Hale was, even as a youth. The word "perhaps" is also used much too frequently for a scholarly work. All in all, I gleaned a few useful things from this book but I wouldn't recommend it.
August 24, 2010
I read this to prepare for the upcoming Nathan Hale symposium... I was expecting much more. Hale's story is fascinating, and certainly deserves a decent contemporary biography. Phelps' book misses the mark by a wide margin. Phelps did a decent job of summarizing and rehashing others' work on Hale, but Phelps is certainly no historian. His books biggest failings come when trying to impart the larger situation of Revolutionary New England, and the time period in general. Some of his most egregious misstatements should have been picked up by an editor, but apparently this historical biography was neither written nor edited by someone with more than cursory knowledge of the American Revolution. (How's this one: "Parliament [through the Intolerable Acts:] decided to strip executive power from the Democratic party, which consisted of local legislatures elected by the people." What?)
Furthermore, Phelps spends an inordinate amount ink quoting- and seriously considering- the paeans of 19th century "historians" like Washington Irving (seriously? Washington Irving?) and Charles Dudley Warner. Phelps hastily contructs oversimplified views of the conflict and particularly on the conduct of the British forces and Loyalists. In such a complicated historical event, a more subtle approach is warranted.
Maybe I'm being to harsh on Phelps... perhaps the historical record on Hale is simply too corrupted by generations of myth-making... nonetheless, on Hale's life, stick with the older biographies but approach them with a critical eye. On Hale's times- Revolutionary America- go with just about anything else.
Furthermore, Phelps spends an inordinate amount ink quoting- and seriously considering- the paeans of 19th century "historians" like Washington Irving (seriously? Washington Irving?) and Charles Dudley Warner. Phelps hastily contructs oversimplified views of the conflict and particularly on the conduct of the British forces and Loyalists. In such a complicated historical event, a more subtle approach is warranted.
Maybe I'm being to harsh on Phelps... perhaps the historical record on Hale is simply too corrupted by generations of myth-making... nonetheless, on Hale's life, stick with the older biographies but approach them with a critical eye. On Hale's times- Revolutionary America- go with just about anything else.
February 20, 2017
Few Americans know much more about Nathan Hale than his famous last words: “I only regret that I have one life left to give for my country.” But who was the real Nathan Hale?
M. William Phelps charts the life of this famed patriot and Connecticut’s state hero, following Hale’s rural childhood, his education at Yale, and his work as a schoolteacher. Even in his brief career, he distinguished himself by offering formal lessons to young women. Like many young Americans, he was soon drawn into the colonies’ war for independence and became a captain in Washington’s army. When the general was in need of a spy, Hale willingly rose to the challenge, bravely sacrificing his life for the sake of American liberty.
Using Hale’s own journals and letters as well as testimonies from his friends and contemporaries, Phelps depicts the Revolution as it was seen from the ground. From the confrontation in Boston to the battle for New York City, readers experience what life was like for an ordinary soldier in the struggling Continental Army.
In this impressive, well-researched biography, Phelps separates historical fact from long-standing myth to reveal the truth about Nathan Hale, a young man who deserves to be remembered as an original American patriot.
M. William Phelps charts the life of this famed patriot and Connecticut’s state hero, following Hale’s rural childhood, his education at Yale, and his work as a schoolteacher. Even in his brief career, he distinguished himself by offering formal lessons to young women. Like many young Americans, he was soon drawn into the colonies’ war for independence and became a captain in Washington’s army. When the general was in need of a spy, Hale willingly rose to the challenge, bravely sacrificing his life for the sake of American liberty.
Using Hale’s own journals and letters as well as testimonies from his friends and contemporaries, Phelps depicts the Revolution as it was seen from the ground. From the confrontation in Boston to the battle for New York City, readers experience what life was like for an ordinary soldier in the struggling Continental Army.
In this impressive, well-researched biography, Phelps separates historical fact from long-standing myth to reveal the truth about Nathan Hale, a young man who deserves to be remembered as an original American patriot.
September 22, 2015
"I regret that I have but one life to give to my country."
Nathan Hale speaks this famous line and is then hung at the gallows by the British General Howe as a spy for the American rebellion.
I thought the legend was interesting enough that I took a review copy from publisher to learn more about America's first spy. What I learned is that the legend is much more interesting than the truth.
Hale was used a martyr for the American rebellion, becoming synonymous with patriotism, freedom, and the fight for liberty. He was a well-learned man, handsome, and good with the ladies.
As much as Mr. Phelps tries to bring Hale to life and fill in his background, there just is not much there. The book is thin and spends as much time filling in stories about the Revolutionary War and other people in Hale's life as it does telling Hale's life.
It turns out that Hale was not a very good spy. He was caught on first mission. It also turns out that he probably did not speak that famous line.
Maybe I'll stick with the legend.
Nathan Hale speaks this famous line and is then hung at the gallows by the British General Howe as a spy for the American rebellion.
I thought the legend was interesting enough that I took a review copy from publisher to learn more about America's first spy. What I learned is that the legend is much more interesting than the truth.
Hale was used a martyr for the American rebellion, becoming synonymous with patriotism, freedom, and the fight for liberty. He was a well-learned man, handsome, and good with the ladies.
As much as Mr. Phelps tries to bring Hale to life and fill in his background, there just is not much there. The book is thin and spends as much time filling in stories about the Revolutionary War and other people in Hale's life as it does telling Hale's life.
It turns out that Hale was not a very good spy. He was caught on first mission. It also turns out that he probably did not speak that famous line.
Maybe I'll stick with the legend.
May 31, 2014
Poorly written, meandering, and I'm almost certain the author thought he was getting paid by the word, considering how many odd and drawn out quotes were included. I'm sure Nathan wasn't as idiotic as he seemed once we got to the spying bits, but holy hell, he really deserved to get caught and hung.
I was honestly cheering for the British by the end. This book was so bad that it overcame years of being indoctrinated into the glorious patriotism of the American Revolution.
I was honestly cheering for the British by the end. This book was so bad that it overcame years of being indoctrinated into the glorious patriotism of the American Revolution.
August 23, 2015
A good story worth about half the pages in the book. Somewhat meandering and unfocused, not sure what the author was attempting to do. With that said, I learned much more than the minimal, inaccurate phrase, "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country."
Spies were considered the lowest of the low, and summarily executed by most countries in hostilities. So there was some interesting conjecture and discussion of what effort Nathan Hale had to work through to leave a respected, patriotic teacher and soldier role, a Yale graduate, a staunch Christian, and take this lowly position.
He did not do well as a spy - he talked too much, was too trusting, and dallied after his mission was complete. Upon capture, the author captured the horror and brutality of the quick descent from capture to being strung up like a dog - the end. The following chapter described how his brother searched for why Nathan had suddenly not been heard from for a month, only to find the bitter truth which at the time was traumatic for the patriotic family, besides the loss of one of their own.
PS. SO, I read it again in 2015. This time I was more intrigued - I rarely read books twice, but maybe I should. The narrative was interesting, I found myself sympathetic to the author's efforts to place Nathan within his family, and within the culture at the time. And though I originally said it was too long, this time I give credit for the author wrapping it up succinctly after the final chapter where Nathan's brother searches for the mystery of his brother's death. Phelps doesn't linger ... just a few parting thoughts on how Hale's death took on more meaning decades after his decease.
Spies were considered the lowest of the low, and summarily executed by most countries in hostilities. So there was some interesting conjecture and discussion of what effort Nathan Hale had to work through to leave a respected, patriotic teacher and soldier role, a Yale graduate, a staunch Christian, and take this lowly position.
He did not do well as a spy - he talked too much, was too trusting, and dallied after his mission was complete. Upon capture, the author captured the horror and brutality of the quick descent from capture to being strung up like a dog - the end. The following chapter described how his brother searched for why Nathan had suddenly not been heard from for a month, only to find the bitter truth which at the time was traumatic for the patriotic family, besides the loss of one of their own.
PS. SO, I read it again in 2015. This time I was more intrigued - I rarely read books twice, but maybe I should. The narrative was interesting, I found myself sympathetic to the author's efforts to place Nathan within his family, and within the culture at the time. And though I originally said it was too long, this time I give credit for the author wrapping it up succinctly after the final chapter where Nathan's brother searches for the mystery of his brother's death. Phelps doesn't linger ... just a few parting thoughts on how Hale's death took on more meaning decades after his decease.
January 8, 2012
M. William Phelps provides an updated biography on the life of Nathan Hale America's first spy to be executed. Washington was well known for his desire to gather intelligence on the enemy and set up several spy rings throughout the revolution (See Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring for that history). Nathan Hale was the first attempt at spying on the British in the days leading up to the invasion of New York. Nathan was not a successful spy and was caught and hung by one of the great thugs of the American Revolution. From young farm boy in Connecticut to Yale Education to educator of colonial youth the reader gets to see a wonderful picture of life in colonial America leading up to the revolution. Nathan Hale is painted as a patriot who would give anything for the cause and comes off as a very idealistic hero here. The primary sources presented and his actions at Yale lend credence to this story and do make for a likely case that he uttered his famous phrase before being hung. Overall while there were one or two factual misprints that have already been noted by other reviewers there is still value in this book for those who really want to see more into the life of colonial America and how your average educated person became involved in the revolution instead of following the life of one of the major figures.
November 26, 2008
I only got half way through this book before I needed to give it back to the library, but it was really good. I really liked the use of religion, and other references in this book. I find it the best biography of Nathan Hale at least that I've read, but I have a sneeking suspision that it's the best anywhere.
June 15, 2015
I good overview book on the life of Nathan Hale. I would have liked to see more references to firsthand accounts not other historians, but I think some of the issue is that Nathan Hale is more legend then fact.
October 1, 2010
I gave up reading this - it was interesting at times, but took forever getting to the point.
November 16, 2017
Great book! Anyone interested in the American Revolution would benefit from reading it. I learned so much about Nathan Hale. Well researched and I enjoyed all the background information about him and his family as well as the information about what was going on during the first few years of the American Revolution. It gave me a bigger picture of what life was like for the troops and overall moral. I wish there was a map in the book so I could see all the places where Nathan had lived and traveled. I knew Nathan was friends with Benjamin Tallmadge, a classmate from Yale, from reading about GEORGE WASHINGTON'S SECRET SIX. I found it sad the way Nathan's family found out he'd been hanged as a spy. Nathan's brother Enoch went on a month long journey to find out the truth, traveling into potential danger. Being a spy was seen as a disgrace during this time but Nathan was determined to do whatever he could to help the cause, even if it meant being caught. The location and burial of Nathan Hale remains a mystery to this day.
August 24, 2017
Myths abound about Nathan Hill. He was a patriot who fought and was willing to and did pay the ultimate price in order to achieve freedom from Britain. But he was so much more than the mythical patriot. He was an extremely likable person, a gifted teacher, and a man who valued God above all else. He was a good person and, unfortunately, this goodness would prove his downfall. He was too trusting and, during his first spying mission, he fell into the hands of Robert Rogers and William Cunningham (two truly vile people). Reading about Nathan's brother, Enoch, searching for him and/or trying to find out what happened to him was truly heartbreaking. He was a good person and loved by everyone he met. I really enjoyed this biography. It was well written and an engrossing, if heartbreaking, tale of a true American hero.
June 7, 2019
Nathan Hale only lived to 21 and we really don’t have a considerable amount of information about him. But this book is a fairly comprehensive look at America’s first-known (and unsuccessful) spy. I learned a lot and I like that his story was tied in with battles and other goings-on during the war.
I also like that the book didn’t end with his execution. We see the aftermath and the anguish his older brother endured as he tried everything to find out what happened to him. The end felt a little rushed but overall, I enjoyed this.
I also like that the book didn’t end with his execution. We see the aftermath and the anguish his older brother endured as he tried everything to find out what happened to him. The end felt a little rushed but overall, I enjoyed this.
July 22, 2021
Nathan Hale: The Life and Death of America's First Spy, provides an excellent account of the many hardships that the Continental soldiers faced during the battles of 1775.
To learn that the soldiers were so desperate for rations that they used carcasses of animals, boiled dirt, and, dog meat, to create a soup, which had turned a tint of green, really makes you reflect on all that was sacrificed for the good of the future and freedom.
To learn that the soldiers were so desperate for rations that they used carcasses of animals, boiled dirt, and, dog meat, to create a soup, which had turned a tint of green, really makes you reflect on all that was sacrificed for the good of the future and freedom.
January 3, 2019
Quotable:
I.W. Stuart described a spy as a 'companion of darkness.
He had been surrounded from birth with the doctrine that men should do right because it is right. And he went upon his hazardous mission just because it was right to go.
I.W. Stuart described a spy as a 'companion of darkness.
He had been surrounded from birth with the doctrine that men should do right because it is right. And he went upon his hazardous mission just because it was right to go.
February 16, 2022
While Nathan Hale may be synonymous with Patriotism, his life was actually quite uninteresting and his impact on the war efforts was minimal at best. Couple this with Phelps' mediocre writing, it took me nearly as long to slog thru this book as others four times in length.
February 22, 2022
Some good points made in the book. I learned things I didn’t know. I’m am going to do further research myself on the subject. I grew up in a town next to Coventry and have visited the Hale Homestead numerous times.
January 26, 2024
I've wanted to learn about Nathan Hale for years now since we share a last name and my knowledge of him going in was no more than that of the average public school slacker. I read this book with a clean slate of knowledge about Hale, so I had no real reason to doubt any of the facts presented by Phelps. But when I saw John Adams listed as Samuel's brother it was a major red flag. Such an egregious error obviously makes one doubt the accuracy of subsequent claims made by the author.
As other reviewers have said, the book veers off into descriptions of battles and other events surrounding the time that have nothing to do with Hale - presumably because there simply isn't much data to work with and pages had to be filled. I didn't mind that so much, but it did make the story a little uneven.
I specifically enjoyed the latter sections after Hale's death, especially the description of his brother Enoch's frantic and hopeless search for him.
If the facts surrounding Hale's actions and choices during his mission are accurate it's safe to say he showed very poor judgment, and that cost him his life. But he was a hero of the Revolution regardless if for no reason other than his open willingness to sacrifice his own life for the cause. The biography definitely peaked my interest in Hale, so I will be reading other books about him. If for no other reason, than to see if the facts align.
As other reviewers have said, the book veers off into descriptions of battles and other events surrounding the time that have nothing to do with Hale - presumably because there simply isn't much data to work with and pages had to be filled. I didn't mind that so much, but it did make the story a little uneven.
I specifically enjoyed the latter sections after Hale's death, especially the description of his brother Enoch's frantic and hopeless search for him.
If the facts surrounding Hale's actions and choices during his mission are accurate it's safe to say he showed very poor judgment, and that cost him his life. But he was a hero of the Revolution regardless if for no reason other than his open willingness to sacrifice his own life for the cause. The biography definitely peaked my interest in Hale, so I will be reading other books about him. If for no other reason, than to see if the facts align.
February 1, 2024
this is a very good book! i had heard the name nathan hale before, but i didn’t know anything about him. this is a great read if you want to read a nonfiction history book without a ton of commitment (it’s not too hard of a read, at least for me). definitely recommend!
March 6, 2025
An excellent book on an American patriot in the true sense of the word. A life cut short, and yet possessed a rich and powerful message of loyalty and integrity. If you want to learn more about the ideals of the early American patriots, look no further than this exemplary case.
April 1, 2018
Easy to read and thoroughly researched, but repetitive at times.
September 8, 2019
The best takeaway I received from this was that Hale never said 'I regret that I have but one life to give to my country. Not my favorite revolutionary era biography.
June 29, 2022
I enjoyed this in depth look into one of the courageous souls of our history
April 6, 2022
A Connecticut patriot, Yale graduate whose home is a state park now so I had to read it. Plan to visit his homestead now
Read
January 7, 2009Nathan Hale: The First American Spy, by M. William Phelps, narrated by Phil Gigante, produced by Brilliance Audio, downloaded from audible.com.
A very interesting brief book.
Publisher’s note:
Few Americans know much more about Nathan Hale than his famous last words: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." But who was
the real Nathan Hale?M. William Phelps charts the life of this famed patriot and Connecticut's state hero, following Hale's rural childhood, his education
at Yale, and his work as a schoolteacher. Even in his brief career, he distinguished himself by offering formal lessons to young women.Like many young
Americans, he soon became drawn into the colonies' war for independence, becoming a captain in Washington's army. When the general was in need of a spy,
Hale willingly rose to the challenge, bravely sacrificing his life for the sake of American liberty.Using Hale's own journals and letters as well as testimonies
from his friends and contemporaries, Phelps depicts the Revolution as it was seen from the ground. From the confrontation in Boston to the battle for New
York City, listeners experience what life was like for an ordinary soldier in the struggling Continental army.In this impressive, well-researched biography,
Phelps separates historical fact from long-standing myth to reveal the life of Nathan Hale, a young man who deserves to be remembered as an original American
patriot.
A very interesting brief book.
Publisher’s note:
Few Americans know much more about Nathan Hale than his famous last words: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." But who was
the real Nathan Hale?M. William Phelps charts the life of this famed patriot and Connecticut's state hero, following Hale's rural childhood, his education
at Yale, and his work as a schoolteacher. Even in his brief career, he distinguished himself by offering formal lessons to young women.Like many young
Americans, he soon became drawn into the colonies' war for independence, becoming a captain in Washington's army. When the general was in need of a spy,
Hale willingly rose to the challenge, bravely sacrificing his life for the sake of American liberty.Using Hale's own journals and letters as well as testimonies
from his friends and contemporaries, Phelps depicts the Revolution as it was seen from the ground. From the confrontation in Boston to the battle for New
York City, listeners experience what life was like for an ordinary soldier in the struggling Continental army.In this impressive, well-researched biography,
Phelps separates historical fact from long-standing myth to reveal the life of Nathan Hale, a young man who deserves to be remembered as an original American
patriot.
October 8, 2013
I struggled with this book. It wasn't a hard read--the language was accessible and clear. It's a short book, so it's really kind of surprising that I struggled to read it. The narrative was a bit unfocused, but I suspect that's a symptom of the subject matter rather than the author's ability. The truth is that there's just not enough of a life to tell a book-length story here. Not to diminish the contribution Hale made to the revolution or to diminish his life in general--indeed, he seems to have been a godly man who lived out his faith in tangible, productive ways. It's just that he died at such a young age that he never really had a chance to do a lot. If his spy days were the inaugural event in a life of general heroic badassery, or if his one mission had been a success (it was, after all, a failure since he acted stupidly and got caught) that turned the tide of the war, there might be more of a book here. As it is, Hale is more of a martyr to the cause of revolution who gave Americans a single (misquoted!) rallying cry. This is not insignificant, but it's not book-length material.
All that said, I did learn a few things, and the book did give me some additional context for the revolutionary war and the view of spies in that era. Not a waste of time, but not going down as a favorite read.
All that said, I did learn a few things, and the book did give me some additional context for the revolutionary war and the view of spies in that era. Not a waste of time, but not going down as a favorite read.
December 27, 2008
A well researched book. Phelps avoids passing off legend as fact as much as possible, which I am grateful for.
Nathan Hale went to Yale. He became a school teacher. When the Revolutionary War began, he joined the Continental army. He eventually volunteered to go on a mission of espionage. He was close to finishing his mission when he was captured, and hung as a spy. But wild folk tales fly around, such as he was turned in by a relative, Samuel Hale.
Phelps goes on fact and establishes the truth of Nathan Hales' life, which was remarkable enough without embellishment. Nathan Hale was a true patriot and completely dedicated to the cause of freedom. Phelps recognizes this and brings it to the forefront, along with Nathan Hales' faith. The book also gives a good bit of backround about what was going on in the Colonial Army and the Colonies.
In summary, reading this book will not be a waste of your time.
Nathan Hale went to Yale. He became a school teacher. When the Revolutionary War began, he joined the Continental army. He eventually volunteered to go on a mission of espionage. He was close to finishing his mission when he was captured, and hung as a spy. But wild folk tales fly around, such as he was turned in by a relative, Samuel Hale.
Phelps goes on fact and establishes the truth of Nathan Hales' life, which was remarkable enough without embellishment. Nathan Hale was a true patriot and completely dedicated to the cause of freedom. Phelps recognizes this and brings it to the forefront, along with Nathan Hales' faith. The book also gives a good bit of backround about what was going on in the Colonial Army and the Colonies.
In summary, reading this book will not be a waste of your time.
April 22, 2015
This short biography of the short life of Nathan Hale builds on the work of prior Hale biographies and benefits from the 2003 discovery of a Tory manuscript that documents Hale's capture. Prior biographies lacked shopkeeper Consider Tiffany's manuscript of the American Revolution, written during or shortly after the conflict, which corroborates most of the existing evidence regarding Hale's apprehension and fills in some of the missing pieces.
I thought the account was very readable and while there were a couple of instances where the narrative jumped ahead and then backwards, on the whole the book was well organized. I enjoyed it and recommend the book to anyone looking to learn more about our nation's first spy.
Full Disclosure: I won a copy of this book in a LibraryThing giveaway.
I thought the account was very readable and while there were a couple of instances where the narrative jumped ahead and then backwards, on the whole the book was well organized. I enjoyed it and recommend the book to anyone looking to learn more about our nation's first spy.
Full Disclosure: I won a copy of this book in a LibraryThing giveaway.
November 13, 2013
Enjoyed this book, but I think I would have liked it better had Phelps not included so much other info on the American Revolution. Much of it is relevant, in a way, to Hale's life, but I could have done without it. Phelps draws from Hale's correspondence, army journal and other sources. When it comes to Hale's discovery as a spy, Phelps draws mainly from a journal kept by a Tory to tell Hale's tale. Overall a good read.
April 18, 2015
This book is okay.
I feel like I learned lots about Nathan Hale but sometimes I felt like I learned too much. I didn't feel like I needed to have a background on every person in his life to understand him better.
I think that the book it organized well and Phelps does a good job drawing me in. It just got slow at times because of the extra information I didn't think I needed!
I received this book through Goodread's FIrst Reads program.
I feel like I learned lots about Nathan Hale but sometimes I felt like I learned too much. I didn't feel like I needed to have a background on every person in his life to understand him better.
I think that the book it organized well and Phelps does a good job drawing me in. It just got slow at times because of the extra information I didn't think I needed!
I received this book through Goodread's FIrst Reads program.
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