Book Club | The Republic of Letters: Spies & Spycraft in American History, in Partnership with Carpenters’ Hall

Spies and espionage have long exercised a hold over the popular imagination of Americans, revealing excitement about, and uncertainty over, the stability of our national project. In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s secret meetings with French spy Julien Bonvouloir at Carpenters’ Hall, which historian John Ferling has called one of the most underrated events of the American Revolution, Season 2 of The Republic of Letters, an American history book club, will feature works of history and fiction that illuminate unforgettable characters in the world of spycraft, from the days of the American Revolution through the Cold War.  

This American history book club is a partnership of Carpenters’ Hall and the Rosenbach Museum & Library. Sessions meet variously at Carpenters’ Hall and the Rosenbach; check individual program descriptions for details. At least one book club session in the season will include a presentation of rare collection materials related to the themes and topics under discussion during the meetings. 

Tuesday, January 27, 2026: The Alice Network by Kate Quinn  
[At the Rosenbach]