The
First Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer brings to life a spy
thriller that actually happened. This non-fiction historical
mystery delves into a plot to assassinate General George Washington,
exposing the spies, killers, counterfeiters, and traitors
and how those in the still-forming government addressed this
plot.
"I wrote this story because it fascinated me and there
is little knowledge about it. The myth says we were a ragtag
army who held hands and came together to defeat the powerful
English. But in fact, we were not unified but acted just like
today. For example, our Massachusetts regiment hated our Connecticut
regiment who hated our Virginia regiment. They were all different
with dissimilar beliefs and customs, including wearing different
uniforms. I show this in an amazing scene in the book. Someone
from the Virginia regiment meets someone from the Massachusetts
regiment who starts to make fun of the Virginia uniform. A
fight breaks out until George Washington rides on his horse
and picks them up, emphasizing the need for a team. If ever
there was a metaphor for where we are as a culture there it
was. He helped build the United States by holding us together.
The book delves into getting rid of the myth that we were
all together and shows how hard fought it was to get us together."
This is Meltzer's first non-fiction book, written with writer
and documentary producer Josh Mensch. It tells of a hidden
event that took place during the most critical period of America's
birth. The heart of the book takes place after Washington's
arrival into New York City in early 1776. After having to
flee to a British ship docked in New York's harbor, the Governor
of New York, a Loyalist, William Tryon devises a treacherous
plan to kill the US General. He enlists the help of the city's
mayor, David Mathews, and some in the civilian population
that have divided loyalties and shifting allegiances. All
are willing to sacrifice their devotion to the highest bidder.
Shocked by these rumors Washington decides to assemble an
elite band of soldiers, the Life Guards, to protect him. In
addition, he along with another Founding Father John Jay established
the secret Committee of Intestine Enemies, designed to uncover
the traitors, learn their plans, and stop them. The clandestine
operations showed how Jay regarded the importance of counter-intelligence,
and the Life Guards can be considered the precursor to the
Secret Service.
Meltzer noted, "He created a secret organization within
our government that came out of the plot to kill Washington.
He is an incredible investigator who did interrogations to
collect information. He actually built a counter-intelligence
operation by using civilians to ferret out information about
the traitors. He built an entire system for the government
to protect itself. I call him the original American Badass.
Both he and Washington displayed leadership, loyalty, and
knew of the harm betrayal does. The final sentence of the
book sums everything up, "In our lowest moments we always
find our greatest strengths."
Although a non-fiction story, it reads like a spy novel with
a sense of immediacy and peril. Readers will be astonished
that this "First Conspiracy," was but a footnote
in American history until now when the authors bring it to
the forefront.
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