As tension begins to grow in America during the revolution, Mr. Wharton,
a British sympathizer, moves his family to his county estate named "The
Locusts," with the intention to avoid any political conflict. Located in
Westchester County, New York, the area was considered a common ground
for patriots and loyalists. However, action starts to stir in the
neutral town when an enigmatic man shows up at Mr. Wharton's home.
Hoping for shelter from the severe storm looming over the area, Mr.
Harper, a man who holds himself like a soldier, but dresses in plain
clothes, asks Mr. Wharton if he could harbor himself at The Locusts. Mr.
Wharton agrees, immediately attempting to root out Harper's feelings
about the revolution. Harper, however, stays unresponsive to his
efforts. The mystery continues when Harper meets with a peddler named
Harvey Birch. When a servant in Mr. Wharton's home overhears part of
their conversation, he immediately tells Mr. Wharton about what he
perceived as suspicious behavior. As rumors spread about their meetings
and political preferences, a theory that Birch is a spy for the British
becomes popular. When a bounty is placed over Birch's head, he must
evade capture, attack, and espionage as he struggles to protect his
secret.
Written with beautiful simplicity, The Spy by James Fenimore Cooper
was inspired by a real event during the American Revolution. Originally
published in 1821, The Spy served as one of the first literary works
to portray an American setting, instead of the traditional English
practice to depict European settings. This innovation appealed to James
Fenimore Cooper's intention to eliminate the bias against Americans, and
to foster a proud culture by depicting the American landscape with
intricate detail. With the depiction of major revolutionary figures, the
early environment of small-town America, and an examination of the
revolution's effect on culture, The Spy by James Fenimore Cooper is a
complex and comprehensive narrative.
This edition of James Fenimore Cooper's The Spy has been redesigned to
accommodate the modern reader. With a striking new cover, and printed in
a stylish font, The Spy is an accessible and essential read for any
American patriot.
