Detective Allen Pinkerton was a man devoid of graft and unabsolved innuendo, and instead one who sought the truth. This is the real life story of Detective Pinkerton and the founder and progenitor of the Secret Service in America. It details in picturesque and fun illustrations borrowing from the 19th century, how one man from poverty and the slums of Scotland came to America, and started an agency based on the values of the working man and his rights and the fight against slavery. Pinkerton would save the country by protecting Lincoln from an assassination attempt early in his presidency. You can not help but love the story and the illustrations as the borrow from the time period and liken back to an era where spies and detectives were only spoken about never seen. I absolutely loved this book, but of course I have always loved a good spy story. Children of all ages would love to hear history in this context. More importantly, Pinkerton started a women's detective division back in the 1860's which was well ahead of it's time. It's unfortunate that his sons never carried that initial mission after his death. ( )