It’s impossible to underestimate Allan Pinkerton's influence on the field of clandestine operations, and Danny Campbell is a perfect fit as narrator of his story. Pinkerton was the first "private eye,” creator of the Secret Service, and the inspiration for the FBI. Scottish-born, he gained fame ferreting out Confederate spies and gathering intelligence for President Lincoln, once even thwarting an assassination attempt. Campbell’s narration has an aged, gruff quality that evokes the era—he sounds similar to narrators in the PBS Civil War series. His pacing is slow because of the story's factual nature. Though Pinkerton's story is replete with adventure, the limited dialogue available forces the author to rely heavily on bare facts, which can be a tad tedious. Nevertheless, Pinkerton's is a compelling story, well written and well narrated. L.T. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

Praise for GHOSTS IN THE FOG: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALASKA'S WWII INVASION:"An enlightening account full of compelling stories of survival and perseverance." - KIRKUS REVIEWSA YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Nominee

10/01/2015
Gr 5–8—This serviceable biography sheds light on Allan Pinkerton, America's most famous detective. Readers learn how Pinkerton, a wanted man, fled a life of poverty as a labor dissenter in Scotland for America, where he became a cooper in Illinois. He used his keen observation skills to uncover several counterfeiters and was promptly deputized. This small start in law enforcement grew into employment with the fledgling (and very corrupt) Chicago Police Department. Unable to stomach the corruption, the principled man left after a few years to open Pinkerton's National Detective Agency. The agency's motto: "We never sleep." The agency pioneered many techniques commonly used today, such as working undercover and shadowing suspects. Pinkerton also employed male and female detectives, a practice that was highly unusual at the time. He and his detectives served their country during the Civil War as spies for the Union, occasionally corresponding with Abraham Lincoln himself. After a personal disagreement regarding Union leadership, Pinkerton returned to private detective work. The detailed descriptions of his pursuit of famous outlaws, including Jesse James and Frank Younger, are quite interesting. The overall writing is effective, though not riveting. The photographs and documents are clear, and the bibliography is highly detailed. VERDICT A welcome but not essential addition.—Lisa Crandall, formerly at the Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

It’s impossible to underestimate Allan Pinkerton's influence on the field of clandestine operations, and Danny Campbell is a perfect fit as narrator of his story. Pinkerton was the first "private eye,” creator of the Secret Service, and the inspiration for the FBI. Scottish-born, he gained fame ferreting out Confederate spies and gathering intelligence for President Lincoln, once even thwarting an assassination attempt. Campbell’s narration has an aged, gruff quality that evokes the era—he sounds similar to narrators in the PBS Civil War series. His pacing is slow because of the story's factual nature. Though Pinkerton's story is replete with adventure, the limited dialogue available forces the author to rely heavily on bare facts, which can be a tad tedious. Nevertheless, Pinkerton's is a compelling story, well written and well narrated. L.T. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

2015-06-23
A Scottish immigrant who came to America on the run from the law established the agency that stopped an early plot against Abraham Lincoln and became the best known detective of his era.Allan Pinkerton honed his detective skills working for the Chicago police force until political corruption led him to leave and begin his own agency. He soon developed a reputation for honesty and relentless determination and notably thwarted a plot to sabotage the railroad lines while Lincoln was en route to his inauguration. Pinkerton's connections to Lincoln and Gen. George B. McClellan and his proven skills opened a role for him: heading up the Union Intelligence Service. Pinkerton and his cohorts, including the first female agent, provided much information for the Union effort. Following the war, Pinkerton became famous for pursuit of criminals such as Jesse James and controversial efforts against strikers. As the agency grew and changed, it became synonymous with security well into the 21st century. The detailed stories of thwarted plots, gambits behind enemy lines, and efforts to bring outlaws to justice will appeal to readers. The prose is serviceable for the subject; the design is dominated by static portraits of the mentioned historic figures for an overall stuffy effect, although a list of important players in the beginning of the text is helpful. The absorbing subject matter will carry readers past design hiccups. (source notes, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)