Book Review: The First Conspiracy

I enjoy history, especially U.S. history. And George Washington is my favorite Founding Father. So when I found out about The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington I had to read it. 

"It reads like a novel" is often a compliment given to non-fiction books. But Brad Meltzer (with Josh Mensch) writes a book that while as readable as a novel, knows that it's history. Characters move in and you wonder what their role is, and later you find out. You learn about the early days of the American Revolution and what it was like for Washington and his soldiers (it wasn't fun). And you learn about the conspiracy and how it formed and who was behind it.

The only issue I had with the book is the authors over-sell it a bit. It's an interesting story but it ended rather mundanely as the plot fell apart due to the actions of the revolutionaries. I did learn that John Jay, (the first Chief Justice of the United States) was involved in intelligence for Washington. And that because of this plot, Washington learned he needed not only intelligence, but counter-intelligence. 

If you're interested in history, especially of the Revolutionary War period in the United States, I highly recommend this book. 

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