Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II

During World War II, the United States faced a critical need for intelligence. The newly formed Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a precursor to the CIA, sought experts to fill its ranks. In a surprising move, the OSS turned to academia, recruiting literature professors, librarians, and historians.

These scholars, trained in espionage and investigative work, became the unlikely spies who profoundly shaped the war's outcome and influenced American cultural institutions. This book reveals their untold story, drawing on personal histories, letters, and declassified OSS files.

Discover how academics like literature professor Joseph Curtiss hunted German spies, history professor Sherman Kent led analysis for Europe and Africa, and archivist Adele Kibre acquired vital documents. These individuals helped lay the foundations of modern intelligence and transformed higher education upon their return.

This gripping true story, Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II, is a testament to the indelible power of the humanities to change the world. It is a New York Times Bestseller and was named one of Foreign Affairs' Best Books of 2025.