Spy Sites of New York City: A Guide to the Region's Secret History

Thoroughly researched this book offers hundreds of years of both espionage and NYC history. Broken up chronologically by era it is easy to jump around to any time that may pique your interest, from the archaic submarines of the American Revolution to modern day Russian operations. I found the maps in the back fun as it made it easy to find several places a stone's throw from my apartment. The writing is eloquent yet accessible; as a result, the stories told in this book are really where it shines. My particular favorite involved a small fleet of the wealthy elite's private yachts being donated and commissioned into the Navy as part of the wartime effort. A fun read that would apeal to buffs of espionage, American foreign wars, or the book's star: New York City.

This book is intelligent and well written but it is also a great deal of fun for someone who grew up on the West Side of Manhattan and travelled and worked in Manhattan and the other boroughs through adulthood. If I were younger, my review would be filled with "OMGs" as I saw places where I frequented many times (like Riverside Drive!) in my youth. Also, I might add that the photography brought back many delightful memories of my beloved and nowperhaps forgotten NYC of the '50s and '60's.Do not miss this book if you have any interest in New York City past or current. Well worth it.

An extremely thorough review of this fascinating subject. All of the authors' "Spy Sites..." books are excellent by Spy Sites of New York City is the best yet.

Spy Sites of New York City is an absolute treasure guide of intelligence people, places, and maps of the city by two incredibly accomplished historians! It is a comprehensive collaboration of spies from the American Revolution to the present, including their narratives. The history is fascinating, the original photos are outstanding, and the secrets that are shared, intriguing. Spy enthusiasts, historians, and especially New Yorker’s will be impressed with Spy Sites of New York City.

I can’t believe how much I learned about the city that I thought I knew! Espionage in NYC is expected, but Melton and Wallace have made the subject come to life with this book! Every weekend is a new adventure for me and it will be for you! The photos and stories make it all come to life! Extremely well done!

This book puts an exciting spin on the most common and seemingly banal parts of New York. Having already seen/done almost all of the touristy activities in New York, this book provides a wealth of new spots to explore with a different eye. This is a must read for any long time New Yorker or history buff.

The print is minute. Unless you have eyes like a microscope it is unreadable. No I do not require glasses. Wait for the Kindle edition

Hands down one of the best books I’ve ever read about espionage, and one of the best books I have read on specialized New York history. It’s extremely informative while maintaining an approachable voice, making it an accessible read for all levels of knowledge about spies!