Fighting Germany's Spies

This vivid account plunges listeners into the tense atmosphere of wartime America, where the nation’s first encounter with foreign espionage unfolded on home soil. Drawing on official records and firsthand testimony, the narrative details how German agents attempted to exploit the United States as a staging ground for sabotage, subterfuge, and the distribution of fraudulent passports. It follows the early investigations of the Department of Justice, the formation of new legal tools, and the patriotic surge that saw ordinary citizens join the effort through groups like the American Protective League.

Through a series of striking cases—such as the capture of a mastermind behind passport fraud and the early clues surrounding the notorious operative Werner Horn—the book reveals the challenges faced by investigators and the clever tactics used to expose hidden networks. Listeners will gain a clear picture of how the fledgling American counter‑intelligence response was built, and how decisive actions in those first months helped curb a dangerous foreign threat.