The First Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer

The First Conspiracy

The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington

Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch

Flatiron Books · Print & ebook · January 7, 2020

Taking place during the most critical period of our nation’s birth, The First Conspiracy tells a remarkable and previously untold piece of American history that not only reveals George Washington’s character, but also illuminates the origins of America’s counterintelligence movement that led to the modern day CIA.

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Who it’s for
A tense, story-driven look at a hidden threat around Washington.
Genres
Revolutionary America (1775-1800), Intelligence & Espionage, Presidents & World Leaders
Published
Flatiron Books, January 7, 2020

About this book

Taking place during the most critical period of our nation’s birth, The First Conspiracy tells a remarkable and previously untold piece of American history that not only reveals George Washington’s character, but also illuminates the origins of America’s counterintelligence movement that led to the modern day CIA. In 1776, an elite group of soldiers were handpicked to serve as George Washington’s bodyguards. Washington trusted them; relied on them.

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But unbeknownst to Washington, some of them were part of a treasonous plan. In the months leading up to the Revolutionary War, these traitorous soldiers, along with the Governor of New York, William Tryon, and Mayor David Mathews, launched a deadly plot against the most important member of the military: George Washington himself. This is the story of the secret plot and how it was revealed. It is a story of leaders, liars, counterfeiters, and jailhouse confessors. It also shows just how hard the battle was for George Washington and how close America was to losing the Revolutionary War. In this historical page-turner, New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer teams up with American history writer and documentary television producer, Josh Mensch to unravel the shocking true story behind what has previously been a footnote in the pages of history. Drawing on extensive research, Meltzer and Mensch capture in riveting detail how George Washington not only defeated the most powerful military force in the world, but also uncovered the secret plot against him in the tumultuous days leading up to July 4, 1776.

Hidden Threat

A tense, story-driven look at a hidden threat around Washington.

Come here for

  • Revolutionary America with a thriller’s pulse
  • history that reads like a whispered briefing

Expect

  • cultural shorthand and executive-era context
  • steady suspense, not classroom dust

Where it sits

Revolutionary America (1775-1800)87%
Presidents & World Leaders72%
Intelligence & Espionage52%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Presidents & World Leaders
  • Revolutionary America (1775-1800)
  • Intelligence & Spycraft
Authors
Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch
Publisher
Flatiron Books
Published
January 7, 2020
Format
Print & ebook
Reading lane
Presidents & World Leaders