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The Spy (Penguin Classics) Paperback – October 1, 1997

by James Fenimore Cooper (Author), Wayne Franklin (Editor, Introduction)

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A historical adventure reminiscent of Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley romances, Cooper’s novel centers on Harvey Birch, a common man wrongly suspected of being a spy for the British.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

The Spy (Penguin Classics)

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Written in 1821, this historical novel is Cooper's paean to the Revolutionary War, as protagonist Harry Birch finds himself wrongly accused of selling vital information to the British. The book incorporates several real characters, including George Washington.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover

Inspired by accusations of venality leveled at the men who captured Major Andre (Benedict Arnold's co-conspirator, executed for espionage in 1780), Cooper's novel centers on Harry Birch, a common man wrongly suspected by well-born Patriots of being a spy for the British. Even George Washington, who supports Birch, misreads the man, and when Washington offers him payment for information vital to the Patriot's cause, Birch scorns the money and asserts that his action were motivated not by financial reward, but by his devotion to the fight for independence. A historical adventure tale reminiscent of Sir Walter Scott's Waverley novels, The Spy is also a parable of the American experience, a reminder that the nation's survival, like its Revolution, depends on judging people by their actions, not their class or reputations.

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Product details

Series: Penguin Classics
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Penguin Classics; Reprint edition (October 1, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0140436286
ISBN-13: 978-0140436280
Product Dimensions: 5 x 1 x 7.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #504,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #597 in Books > Literature & Fiction > United States > Classics
- #13275 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Classics
- #31172 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Literary

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3 star		14%
2 star		8%
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Top customer reviews

Cooper deserves our notice

Byearlybirdyon September 8, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

The last time I read a novel by Cooper was as an English major in college when "The Pioneers" was required reading in American novel class. I never thought I'd read another Cooper novel, but after recently reading in a John Jay biography that "The Spy" was based on the true story of a Revolutionary War double-agent spy, I was intrigued enough to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. Cooper's style is well-known to be bombastic, but we must keep in mind that he was one of the first genuine American novelists, so I don't think we should be too critical. Actually, at times, Cooper does a wonderful job at descriptive narrative. He has moments when he definitely achieves success in bringing into the mind's eye the vivid natural beauty of the Hudson highlands.The story line was exciting enough that I wanted to find out what happened to the characters, especially to Harvey Birch, the spy. Overall, I liked "The Spy" and I'm glad that I took the time to read it.

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

The Spy, Cooper's first bestseller makes history exciting

Bygail walkeron September 16, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I read James Fenimore Cooper's first successful novel, The Spy after I read the new book, Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring that Saved the American Revolution by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yeager. The subject matter of Cooper's novel reflects his knowledge of the American Revolution as experienced by his wife's family, the wealthy de Lancey family of Mamaroneck. It was in Westchester that Major John Andre, a British spy, plotted with Benedict Arnold to take over the most important fort on the Hudson River, West Point, and was captured carrying letters that revealed the plot to General Washington. Arnold escaped, but Andre was hanged. Cooper relates the hanging of Andre to the danger that any pro-British family might have faced in the parts of New York that were controlled by the Americans and of pro revolutionary families in British controlled areas. He also shows how families' loyalties were divided. Washington's spies on Long Island and in New York City risked their lives and fortunes to supply him with details of British movements in New York. When reading The Spy I had the advantage of knowing these real historical details. Although in Cooper's book it is not clear exactly which person is in the employ of General Washington there are clues that will make his identity clear by the time Sarah comes upon him with the mysterious Mr. Harper at a secret meeting in a cave in the hills along the Hudson. Cooper's descriptions of the battles in New York and the marauders who roamed the woods, robbing and killing innocent people were based on reality. As in real life during war the loyalty of many of the people is ambiguous, as well they would be in reality. During confusing times such as our revolution the effectiveness of a Spy depends on his ability to convince those on whom he is spying of his loyalty. Washington's Secret Six demonstrates just how complicated our war for independence was and Cooper's The Spy turns factual information into the personal story of families caught between loyalties and warring armies.

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

but revisited it a decade or so later and really enjoyed it. I now read it at least every ...

ByBethon August 8, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

First ran across this book in a college course many years ago. Skimmed it at the time, but revisited it a decade or so later and really enjoyed it. I now read it at least every two years. The Spy is a very significant book in that it was, arguably, the first well-received novel about America written by an American author. The florid prose can be tedious, although the reading gets easier with time. For example, it takes Cooper the first page and one-half to basically state "it was a dark and stormy night," but the observations and descriptions make it very interesting, if somewhat laborious. Over all, the book is a great read, and it offers a snapshot of life in the Revolutionary War period that history books just can't. To begin his own literary "revolution," Cooper, in an effort to attract female readers, takes great pains to describe clothing and furnishings in minute detail. This doesn't serve to advance the plot much, but it does provide a vivid picture of the times. Another new feature is the realistic treatment of the dialogue of the beloved black slave, Caesar. Over one hundred years before Jack Benny's "Rochester," we have Cooper's Caesar providing comic relief with his mispronunciations and equally entertaining colloquialisms. To my knowledge, slaves in novels by earlier authors either spoke with a Harvard accent or not at all.

To wrap this all up, the plot is slow to develop and many of the characters are cliched and predictable. Despite this, the book succeeds in providing an entertaining and even educational read. The actual spy - Harvey Birch - is a complex character who hides behind his simplicity, depending on the situation. Also, Cooper's treatment of George Washington really brings the man to life, and it depicts the man, more than the general. The treatment of American patriotism in general is well-done, from multiple standpoints. All-in-all, this book is worth the effort.

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An interesting glimpse into America during the Revolution

ByJosephon April 19, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This isn't Cooper's best, but it is very good. Harvey Birch, the spy of the title, actually receives less attention in this novel than a few other characters. I wondered at times while reading this why the book was given this title. All in all though, the book is well written and kept my interest to the very end. This book is also worth reading for glimpses of the mood of the colonies during the War of Independence - not everybody was gung-ho for revolution against Britain. There were also low-life parasitic gangs of men nicknamed 'The Skinners' prowling the land stealing and murdering.

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Most recent customer reviews

Five Stars

thanks

Published 5 months ago by Brian J. Bittner

Spies in the Revolutionary Wat

Slow at first then picks up the pace.

Published 5 months ago by Bob Suchanek

Five Stars

The story takes place in revolutionary times but reaches across to modern times. Gripping!

Published 5 months ago by Alice P. Jonus

Great writing

Published 6 months ago by old man

Excellent novel of the Revolutionary War in the Hudson Valley

Excellent novel of the revolutionary times as experienced in the Hudson Valley. Sympathetic to the adherents of both sides among the colonists, although the British do not come...Read more

Published 6 months ago by Criterion Collector

Three Stars

Haven't read the full story yet sry

Published 6 months ago by 0

I love spy novels and great literature

A top notch work of literature. I've lived in the Hudson Valley and NYC, so I know these sites where battles and hideouts are located.Read more

Published 7 months ago by K. L. Bauer

One Star

First chapter told me i didn't want to read it.

Published 9 months ago by JW in Surprise Az

An excellent read about life during the Revolutionary War

An excellent read about life during the Revolutionary War. While Fenimore's style is a little wordy, it does not detract from his wonderful story of love, war, and courage.

Published 9 months ago by Mary K. Jacobsen

Five Stars

Good

Published 11 months ago by Mei W.

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