Daigler surveys the history of American espionage and covert activities during the era of the American Revolution, from 1765 to 1785. The author's main goal is to educate the general reader about how intelligence activities played a critical role both in the formation of the independence movement and in supporting American military and diplomatic efforts in the colonies and abroad. The work is based on a combination of research in secondary and primary sources. The author's own intelligence experience allows him to highlight tradecraft and how many of the principles of intelligence then are still relevant today. Daigler covers the intelligence activities of famous figures such as Samuel Adams, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Nathan Hale, John Jay, and Benedict Arnold. He also examines the important role of intelligence in key theaters of military operations, such as Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. This fascinating work adds a new dimension to our understanding of the American Revolution.