M. William Phelps is an investigative journalist and prolific true-crime author who provides a gritty, realistic portrayal of one of America’s most famous martyrs. In this book, Phelps strips away the folk-hero mythology to reveal a young, inexperienced officer who volunteered for a mission he was largely unprepared for. The book follows Hale’s journey from his days at Yale to his capture and execution by the British, emphasizing his internal struggles and the brutal reality of 18th-century espionage. By examining primary sources and the social pressures of the time, Phelps explores how a failed intelligence mission ultimately became a powerful symbol of American sacrifice and patriotism.

New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 2008. Book Club Edition. 306 pages. Hardcover book with dustjacket. Both are in VERY GOOD to NEAR FINE condition. The book has some light marking on the bottoms of the front and back covers, along with a small, faded dark mark near the top of the vertical length of the page edges. The dustjacket has very small denting on its top outer corners and the joints of the spine.