Regency Spies: Secret Histories of Britain’s Rebels and Revolutionaries (Review)

I don’t normally get an opportunity to review Regency historical non-fiction, so I jumped at the chance to do something different when the publisher got in touch.

Covering both the Georgian and Regency eras, Sue Wilkes’ Regency Spies: Secret Histories of Britain’s Rebels and Revolutionaries provides an excellent primer on British espionage during the era of privateers, Napolean and secret societies.  I stress that the book also includes the Georgian era, so those hoping to read all about sexy, Byron type heroes will be disappointed.  This is a fact based, and therefore unromantic, look at spies in the mid 1700-1800s.

Her writing is modern, often conversational, and avoids the dry tone of traditional academic writing.  Although not exhaustive, I found the research to be well curated, entertaining, and framed in such a way that novice to intermediate interest in the subject matter will find this an excellent resource.  Experts or serious academics may find the material familiar and lacking rigorous analysis, but for the average reader there is a lot to digest.

Wilkes does an excellent job in providing social, political and economic context for the intelligence activity.  I was surprised at how many rebellions and skirmishes were covered, and found it to be beneficial in providing additional context to events I was aware of (and most who love the era will be too).  There are also fairly well sketched descriptions of some of Britain’s most famous and active spies and movers and shakers.  I like the way her discussion of these men and women humanized them, rather than sensationalized, and provided a real sense of imminent and mortal danger that was their everyday.

There are some lovely images and stories that bring history to life.  The appendix also has some awesome lists that I know I will use in the future for research.

Overall, an entertaining and informative read for lovers of the era, I highly recommend Reg Readers give this non-fiction a try when in need of a deviation from the norm.  Particularly those who love stories (or who are writing stories) about Georgian or Regency spies…

*A review copy was provided by the publisher.  No other compensation was provided.