When the midwestern United States was still young and rugged, a Scottish immigrant named Allan Pinkerton pioneered the detective trade. The methods he used were simple, but they broke new ground: Facts and codes were recorded in small black notebnooks; his agents worked undercover, in disguise.
With keen senses and a fierce determination, Allan Pinkerton solved many of the era's most celebrated crimes. He captured gangs of train robbers and exposed the secrets and identitities of cunning Civil War spies.
In a biography that combines historical detail, photographs, and excerpts from Pinkerton's own letters and books, Judith Pinkerton Josephson takes you inside Pinkerton headquarters and out on the trail with Pinkerton and his force. Josephson also provides insight into the personality of this complex and ambitious man.
. . .filled with anecdotal accounts of cases involving counterfeiters, bank
robbers, Civil War spies, western outlaws, and militant unionists . . . though
gripping stories dominate the narrative, Pinkerton’s private life and dynamic,
if contradictory, personality are not neglected . . . the text is straightforward
and chronological . . . black and white photographs and reproductions are large
enough to enhance the text . . .
School Library Journal, October 1996
"Allan Pinkerton: The Original Private Eye," May 5, 1999. "Among
Pinkerton's accomplishments recounted . . . are saving Abe Lincoln's life, starting
the Secret Service, bringing down the "Irish Mafia," and fighting
Jesse James. Pugnacious Allan Pinkerton loved to fight and constantly boasted
that he would never be defeated . . . This fascinating story is brought to life
with interviews that include Pinkerton's great-great grandson, Frederick Pullman;
biographers Judith Pinkerton Josephson, James Mackay, Frank Morn . . ."
Biography A & E, "Behind the Badge"
series
Judith Josephson was featured on the Discovery channel's program "On the Inside: The Pinkertons."
"The Pinkerton Agency has been around for 150 years, ever since Allan Pinkerton became the first private eye, chasing train robbers and the likes of Jesse James out of an otherwise-lawless American west. Today it's a global, billion-dollar agency."
A complicated man, Pinkerton helped capture lawbreakers, but he also broke
the law by using his home as a station in the Underground Railroad. Josephson
has unearthed much interesting information, presenting it with many
well-chosen photographs.
Booklist, October 15, 1996
. . . an enjoyable read filled with personal accounts about an interesting
man who had many adventures, worked closely with important people of this time,
and was full of contradictions. . . The book is nicely laid out with many historic
photos and illustrations to give a feel of the times. Recommended for all libraries
that have a demand for biographies of historical people.
Bay Views, October 1996, HIGH ADDITIONAL
"A fascinating biography of North America's greatest private eye! From
secret codes, train robbers, war spies and disguises, this book is a page turner.
Did Jesse James get the revenge he swore to on Allan Pinkerton? Read and find
out."
Homeschooling News for Ontario