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Rivals #5
Spies! Sneaks, Snoops, and Saboteurs Who Shaped the World
Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Listen to the hilarious-but-true adventures of the world’s most amazing spies, document their actions, and most importantly: do not let the enemy see you laugh.
Here are the dossiers:
Hercules Mulligan: Sure he sings about horses and corsets in a certain musical, but in real life he spied under the noses of the British for the entirety of the Revolutionary War—even when they were convinced he was a spy. Josephine Baker used her fame as a singer and dancer to smuggle hundreds of documents past the Nazis and helped numerous Jewish refugees escape Europe. Elizabeth Van Lew operated the largest spy ring for the Union forces—right in the heart of the Confederate capital. The Chevalier d’Eon: This 18th Century French diplomat, soldier, and spy became an international celebrity when she announced that she was a woman who had been forced to masquerade as a man—or was the other way around?
Spies! has it all: secret turnips, infiltrating pigeons, encrypted clothing, milk messages, prison breaks, snooping kitties, grave robbing, hanging monkeys, bumbling Brits, and even original songs.
So grab your miniature cameras and memorize your maps, Spies! Sneaks, Snoops, and Saboteurs Who Shaped the World will steal its way to your funny bone.
Here are the dossiers:
Hercules Mulligan: Sure he sings about horses and corsets in a certain musical, but in real life he spied under the noses of the British for the entirety of the Revolutionary War—even when they were convinced he was a spy. Josephine Baker used her fame as a singer and dancer to smuggle hundreds of documents past the Nazis and helped numerous Jewish refugees escape Europe. Elizabeth Van Lew operated the largest spy ring for the Union forces—right in the heart of the Confederate capital. The Chevalier d’Eon: This 18th Century French diplomat, soldier, and spy became an international celebrity when she announced that she was a woman who had been forced to masquerade as a man—or was the other way around?
Spies! has it all: secret turnips, infiltrating pigeons, encrypted clothing, milk messages, prison breaks, snooping kitties, grave robbing, hanging monkeys, bumbling Brits, and even original songs.
So grab your miniature cameras and memorize your maps, Spies! Sneaks, Snoops, and Saboteurs Who Shaped the World will steal its way to your funny bone.
Unknown Binding
Published February 22, 2022
13 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Scott McCormick
331 books117 followersScott McCormick is the author of more Scott McCormick bios than any other Scott McCormick who ever Scott McCormicked. Look it up if you don’t believe me. He also writes the Mr. Pants graphic novels and the hilarious Audible Originals The Dragon Squisher, Spies! Sneak, Snoops, and Saboteurs Who Shaped the World, Mutually Assured Detention, and the number-one bestseller Rivals! Frenemies Who Changed the World. But who are we kidding? The real money is in writing bios. You take that advice to the bank. Tell ‘em Scott McCormick sent you. And if they ask you which Scott McCormick, you tell ‘em the Scott-McCormick-bio-writing Scott McCormick of the North Carolina Scott McCormicks. They’ll know who you mean.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 8, 2022
Sue me, but I will listen to anything and everything Scott McCormick puts on Audible for his kids' history series. It's good fun for the whole family!... or one fully grown adult listening to these little history nuggets on road trips.
Yes, the sound effects can get a little old and jouvenile. But I learn astounding pieces of history every time I knew nothing about. And they're short, palatable, and I'm able to choose which stories I want to dig into more on my own. I recommend to anyone with an Audible account.
I'd rate this a PG.
Yes, the sound effects can get a little old and jouvenile. But I learn astounding pieces of history every time I knew nothing about. And they're short, palatable, and I'm able to choose which stories I want to dig into more on my own. I recommend to anyone with an Audible account.
I'd rate this a PG.
February 1, 2024
Fantastic 🤩
April 4, 2022
This is the fourth book by Scott McCormick book that Logan and I have listened to. The information is interesting and engaging although they did take the silliness to the next level which is getting pretty old. The chapter on the Chevalier d'Eon was confusing and slightly frustrating. This person lived as both a man and a woman so the authors referred to them as a "she" for the entire story. This was incredibly confusing as "she" accomplished things that only a "he" could have such as fighting in the Seven Years' War and so on. The Chevalier d'Eon is a complicated character but it felt as though the author was using this character to teach 21st-century gender theory. This book was just okay and definitely not something I can gladly recommend.
June 19, 2022
Not my fave. I don't personally appreciate a long explanation of gender identity in a kids book. The author fully admitted he didn't know what the person identified as, so leave it at that rather deciding that the opposite gender was the person's preference. Everything else aside, it makes for a far more confusing narrative for my kids. I mean literally, they were confused. 🤦♀️
August 19, 2022
First audiobook of the school year: done.
I must say that I absolutely love the humor in these books. That, as much as learning about history, is what makes these particularly valuable to me.
So we have HERCULES MULLIGAN, Chevalier d'Eon, Elizabeth Van Lew, and Josephine Baker. I've heard and know a little bit about three of the four, which isn't bad considering that I've never had a huge focus on the spies in history. Assassins, yes. Spies, not so much.
Hercules Mulligan, of Hamilton fame, was apparently Irish. Heck yeah. Fight the Brits! So that was really cool getting to learn about his early childhood and his actual role of being a spy. And, bruh. Step aside, Hamilton. We've got Charisma aplenty over here. The man kept getting arrested for being a spy and kept getting released. He's cool. Also, this pretty much outright says that George Washington was the reason for the Revolutionary War and the French Revolution and I cannot argue with their argument.
Chevalier d'Eon... Okay, so what was so funny about this one was that a) I knew about this person from a game that we aren't going to mention and b) I knew about all of the events pretty much that ended up being discussed but I had no idea Chevalier d'Eon was involved in any of them. Empress Elizabeth showed up! I had to restrain the hiss because I love my girl Catherine and Elizabeth was the reason that Peter (Elizabeth's son, not her husband) did what he did and THAT was the reason Tsar Nicholas II was dethroned and executed. See, this is why I love history. Chaos and everything is interconnected. Also, gender plays a huge role in this one.
Elizabeth Van Lew was a rebel. I mean, obviously, because she was a spy. But she had a massive spy network that I am absolutely going to be taking another look at because that is some inspiration right here. And I know that it's reality and not fiction. But come on! The trope of the powerful lady using her influence to get around the law? I mean, we see it in Cersei Lannister and Olenna Tyrell and...I can't remember any others right now but I know there are more. And instead of only using those abilities for good of the self or the family, Elizabeth Van Lew used them for the good of the country. (Also, we get to learn about a psychopath I have some respect for now.)
And then Josephine Baker. Phew. She had a fun life. Like I'm all about Vaudeville. And she just up and moves to Paris. And I'm like "You go, girl!" Also, she's got the same vibes as my great-grandmother, so obviously I have to love her. And she...well, she was just fabulous. Good stuff. And like, Mata Hari gets brought up. And this is a WWII story. And I love those stories. And she is just really cool.
AND THERE ARE SONGS
I must say that I absolutely love the humor in these books. That, as much as learning about history, is what makes these particularly valuable to me.
So we have HERCULES MULLIGAN, Chevalier d'Eon, Elizabeth Van Lew, and Josephine Baker. I've heard and know a little bit about three of the four, which isn't bad considering that I've never had a huge focus on the spies in history. Assassins, yes. Spies, not so much.
Hercules Mulligan, of Hamilton fame, was apparently Irish. Heck yeah. Fight the Brits! So that was really cool getting to learn about his early childhood and his actual role of being a spy. And, bruh. Step aside, Hamilton. We've got Charisma aplenty over here. The man kept getting arrested for being a spy and kept getting released. He's cool. Also, this pretty much outright says that George Washington was the reason for the Revolutionary War and the French Revolution and I cannot argue with their argument.
Chevalier d'Eon... Okay, so what was so funny about this one was that a) I knew about this person from a game that we aren't going to mention and b) I knew about all of the events pretty much that ended up being discussed but I had no idea Chevalier d'Eon was involved in any of them. Empress Elizabeth showed up! I had to restrain the hiss because I love my girl Catherine and Elizabeth was the reason that Peter (Elizabeth's son, not her husband) did what he did and THAT was the reason Tsar Nicholas II was dethroned and executed. See, this is why I love history. Chaos and everything is interconnected. Also, gender plays a huge role in this one.
Elizabeth Van Lew was a rebel. I mean, obviously, because she was a spy. But she had a massive spy network that I am absolutely going to be taking another look at because that is some inspiration right here. And I know that it's reality and not fiction. But come on! The trope of the powerful lady using her influence to get around the law? I mean, we see it in Cersei Lannister and Olenna Tyrell and...I can't remember any others right now but I know there are more. And instead of only using those abilities for good of the self or the family, Elizabeth Van Lew used them for the good of the country. (Also, we get to learn about a psychopath I have some respect for now.)
And then Josephine Baker. Phew. She had a fun life. Like I'm all about Vaudeville. And she just up and moves to Paris. And I'm like "You go, girl!" Also, she's got the same vibes as my great-grandmother, so obviously I have to love her. And she...well, she was just fabulous. Good stuff. And like, Mata Hari gets brought up. And this is a WWII story. And I love those stories. And she is just really cool.
AND THERE ARE SONGS
July 28, 2022
I love these books! I didn’t know much about spies at all and really enjoyed learning about Josephine Baker, Elizabeth Van Lou, and The Chevalier d’Eon were so impressive and Josephine Baker is my new role model! I am an elementary teacher and have recommended these stories to some of my friends who teach middle and high school!
December 12, 2022
When Scott writes history, you learn while being entertained. This excellent production leaves you wanting more.
Spies from a western perspective are covered here and surprise surprise - most of them are women. Women who were gritty, strong and gutsy - no seduction involved. Ian Fleming would be aghast.
Listen to this.
A note to Scott - sir, please write about the World and stop calling our country (in a global edition) - some of us are not from the USA.
Spies from a western perspective are covered here and surprise surprise - most of them are women. Women who were gritty, strong and gutsy - no seduction involved. Ian Fleming would be aghast.
Listen to this.
A note to Scott - sir, please write about the World and stop calling our country (in a global edition) - some of us are not from the USA.
January 23, 2023
Super fun series. I'm liking Scott McCormick more with every book in his series. I was particularly interested in the Hercules Mulligan one (thanks Hamilton) but these were all really fun and well put together.
D
D
January 7, 2023
Again, this was another great “read.”
Even Ella and Oona enjoyed listening to this audio book.
The ensemble cast was great!!!
Even Ella and Oona enjoyed listening to this audio book.
The ensemble cast was great!!!
August 11, 2025
An ideological story rather than historical fact
(FYI, this is an audible exclusive, which means that it is an audio book created by audible and only listened to with an audible account.)
Starting with the positive:
I like the premise of this entire series, and love the dramatisation.
And now onto the negative:
There will always be liberties taken when it comes to history and especially this form of delivery, however this book goes above and beyond what's acceptable. There are a few ways McCormick does this, but the most egregious incident is when he lays out the facts and then proceeds to make a conclusion based on his own ideology.
I refer to the story about the French spy d'Éon, a man who McCormick declares to be transgender without giving actual reasons for it. Whether d'Éon was a transwoman in reality is not my complaint, it's the fact that McCormick made this leap of faith when I heard no reason for it. In other words, instead of 'A + B = historical C', as the very facts McCormick gives would naturally indicate, he instead states that 'A + B = ideological pineapple'.
The 'evidence' McCormick gives that d'Éon is trans, and thus must be given female pronouns throughout, are:
1. d'Éon attended a cross-dressing party dressed like a woman. (But he was MEANT to!)
2. d'Éon bought women's clothing as gifts, but the number was suspiciously high. (Suspicions aren't facts)
3. rumours circulated that d'Éon was a woman which he never refuted. (But he never confirmed it either, or perhaps he did but no one would listen?)
4. d'Éon returned to France and 'lived' like a woman. (Because he was FORCED to. It was conditional upon his return)
5. d'Éon hated the restrictions that came with living like a women and attempted to flout them when he could. (Because he didn't want to live this way...)
Clearly d'Éon was a man unwillingly forced into playing the part of a woman, however according to McCormick, 'A+B = ideological pineapple'.
While I have other issues with McCormick's Rivals series, this example reveals that McCormick's ideology trumps facts and undermines any truth that these audiobooks might actually contain. A shame as this could have been a really good product!
(FYI, this is an audible exclusive, which means that it is an audio book created by audible and only listened to with an audible account.)
Starting with the positive:
I like the premise of this entire series, and love the dramatisation.
And now onto the negative:
There will always be liberties taken when it comes to history and especially this form of delivery, however this book goes above and beyond what's acceptable. There are a few ways McCormick does this, but the most egregious incident is when he lays out the facts and then proceeds to make a conclusion based on his own ideology.
I refer to the story about the French spy d'Éon, a man who McCormick declares to be transgender without giving actual reasons for it. Whether d'Éon was a transwoman in reality is not my complaint, it's the fact that McCormick made this leap of faith when I heard no reason for it. In other words, instead of 'A + B = historical C', as the very facts McCormick gives would naturally indicate, he instead states that 'A + B = ideological pineapple'.
The 'evidence' McCormick gives that d'Éon is trans, and thus must be given female pronouns throughout, are:
1. d'Éon attended a cross-dressing party dressed like a woman. (But he was MEANT to!)
2. d'Éon bought women's clothing as gifts, but the number was suspiciously high. (Suspicions aren't facts)
3. rumours circulated that d'Éon was a woman which he never refuted. (But he never confirmed it either, or perhaps he did but no one would listen?)
4. d'Éon returned to France and 'lived' like a woman. (Because he was FORCED to. It was conditional upon his return)
5. d'Éon hated the restrictions that came with living like a women and attempted to flout them when he could. (Because he didn't want to live this way...)
Clearly d'Éon was a man unwillingly forced into playing the part of a woman, however according to McCormick, 'A+B = ideological pineapple'.
While I have other issues with McCormick's Rivals series, this example reveals that McCormick's ideology trumps facts and undermines any truth that these audiobooks might actually contain. A shame as this could have been a really good product!
January 7, 2023
Fantastic
This series is great for readers of all ages. I enjoy the entire series and have recommended it to others.
This series is great for readers of all ages. I enjoy the entire series and have recommended it to others.
March 29, 2022
Not as kid friendly as the others. Still interesting and we learned a lot, but there was a lot more innuendo and more teen/young adult content, where the others in this series were more young kid friendly.
May 31, 2023
I was low-key disappointed that the section on Hercules Mulligan didn't mention that when you knock him down he gets the f*ck back up again.
January 16, 2025
Again another fascinating dip into history to learn about people and events I had never heard of, or sometimes the case in this particular book, to learn about parts of the lives id never heard of even if I had known of the person.
This one contains a lot of intrigue and war, that was probably obvious. Also racial issues, slavery issues, LGBTQIA issues, and back to the race issues, some looks at America’s ugly sides.
There was at least one rather suggestive joke that honestly would probably go right over children’s heads, but it was a little bit racier than the other books. Not that history is ever puritanically clean. Ha!
I do recommend this book.
This one contains a lot of intrigue and war, that was probably obvious. Also racial issues, slavery issues, LGBTQIA issues, and back to the race issues, some looks at America’s ugly sides.
There was at least one rather suggestive joke that honestly would probably go right over children’s heads, but it was a little bit racier than the other books. Not that history is ever puritanically clean. Ha!
I do recommend this book.
March 18, 2022
This was a fun entry, with some very interesting stories of espionage. It does seem a bit heavy on the American side of things, but women feature prominently, as well as African Americans. Some of the people mentioned I’d never heard of, and others—like Josephine Baker—I had no idea lived the double life they did. The chapters are presented in a way that’s a bit juvenile, but is easily understandable for younger listeners, and entertaining enough for the older ones. Definitely recommend.
March 6, 2022
Bunch of fun facts, cool stories about amazing historical figures, presented in a way that is easy to understand for all ages. If you have audible plus, these are all fraa and i highly recommend, especially the rivalries! Series that started this.
Also a huge bonus that he ends every book with a list of books that he's found that expand upon the history he's telling.
Also a huge bonus that he ends every book with a list of books that he's found that expand upon the history he's telling.
April 10, 2022
I am so enjoying this series by Scott McCormick. I learn something each time I listen to one. I knew Josephine Baker was an entertainer of high caliber, but I had no idea she was a spy for the Allies during WWII. Unlike some, she realized that racism is racism, no matter the color of the person's skin. I highly recommend this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2022
Another fabulous and informative romp through history from McCormick, this time focusing on spies. Once again, I learned a whole lot. This time that included the American Revolution, the American Civil War, World War II, and the Hundred Year's war. I really enjoyed the in-depth tale about the Chevalier d’Eon, including a nuanced discussion about transgender people in the past and how they lived.
April 17, 2023
Content Warnings: Gender and sexual orientation discussions, Race issues (for awareness when choosing your audience.
Scott McCormick's history series continues to be a hit with my kids, though not with all of them. I personally find some of these stories to be less accessible than those from the Rivals! volumes. Mileage may vary.
Scott McCormick's history series continues to be a hit with my kids, though not with all of them. I personally find some of these stories to be less accessible than those from the Rivals! volumes. Mileage may vary.
May 22, 2023
This is the five-star rating system I use:
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
December 2, 2023
Definitely did not enjoy this as much as the others I've listened to in this series. It was okay for the most part, but then got into a story about a man-turned-woman-but-maybe-man spy that he then used to introduce modern gender ideology to children. Cannot recommend that, so a heads-up to parents in this case.
November 5, 2024
This is another in the great series of history for youth by Scott McCorkmick. I enjoy listening to these since they are very funny. A narrator gives the overview and we are introduced to the characters with voice actors playing the parts. Handles serious subjects with a great dose of humor and gives references at the end. Rivals is still my favorite, but I enjoyed listening to this one as well.
May 6, 2022
More silliness, this time on the subject of spies - as usual, both entertaining and informative. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of the Chevalier d'Eon in this collection, such a fascinating historical figure. Hopefully there'll be more of these in future.
June 17, 2022
Liked this one the best of the series so far. Not just spies, but enslaved and free black spies, women spies and transgender spies. Learned a lot I didn't know from this one. The Josephine baker part was my favorite.
May 31, 2023
I think this might be my favorite of the series
The information in this installment . . . Right up my alley! It's packed full of the history the government doesn't want you to know but historians dig for and expose! I enjoyed EVERY minute!
5 stars
The information in this installment . . . Right up my alley! It's packed full of the history the government doesn't want you to know but historians dig for and expose! I enjoyed EVERY minute!
5 stars
June 14, 2023
As another reviewer said, “I will listen to anything Scott McCormick writes…”, and I couldn’t agree more! All of his historical audiobook pieces are enjoyable. We laugh so hard while learning facts, and his characters come alive.
December 15, 2023
None of Scott’s creations have quite lived up to the original Rival’s audiobook. Very slow start, only truely enjoyed the Joséphine Baker Chapter that reminded me why I had loved Rivals in the first place. 🤞🏻Vikings is better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2022
Yay! Josephine Baker!
May 28, 2022
This was super cool looking at the art of spying and how important it is in warfare and general life between nations
September 1, 2022
Another fun addition to the series. Ive learned something entirely new in each one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews