The First Conspiracy: The Secret Conspiracy to Kill George Washington

Author: Author: Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch, Narrator: Scott Brick
Rating:  Ý Ý Ý Ý Ý
Format: All
Source: Purchased, Audible
Rated: PG, Violent Descriptive

I love history.  It is fascinating what happened in the past and it can be extracted to clarify what is happening now.  It is an interesting look in George Washington himself based on his own words.  This journey starts with a footnote, that was expanded into a research project that is fascinating. It is not anything I learned in US History class, and because of what happens, Washington learns things that help him eventually win the war.  If it were not for this conspiracy, it is possible that we may have ended up a member of the British Commonwealth.  It could have meant that the British Empire Never shrinks.  That would have changed the history of the world.  If America is never born, would King George, and later royals have relinquished control elsewhere? 

An Interesting question I leave to the likes of Philip K. Dick and Jeff Cummings (Authors “Man in the High Castle”). Alternate Timelines are interesting.

Back to actual history.  It was an interesting story that unfolded to bring the events that formed so much of what Washington needed to learn to win the revolution.  It was these events that let him realize that not every colonist was an “American.”  People often don’t understand that the general public was more ambivalent or against than for the idea of separating from the home country.  Many thought it would be their end to slip the protection of the British Empire.  They wanted to give up liberty for safety.  What a shock we see the same thing today.  Apparently, it is a base human condition.

I like audiobooks because I can do other things while I read.  And good narrators actually improve the story. Scott Brick is a bit of a legend and does the history justice.  The book is written in a story format, based on fact.  But the information is released linearly so that the events unfold before you.  It makes it easy to understand and it fills in parts of history we were never taught in school.

 

The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington

We did learn about the battle at Boston, that was Washington’s first Victory. But the perspective provided in this book actually brings the whole thing to life. It really made it hit home how truly important that event was to the war.

This book looks at Washington’s younger years, and how he got to where ended up.  It reveals through his own private letters and journals what he thought about these events. 

History is so great because it gives us food for thought.  When I read things like this, I always wonder where in the society I would be.  But it also makes me look at what I do today.  And how I could be vs how I actually am.  Washington was not perfect, but he seems to the best man for the job then.

I wonder if the continental congress made any other choice, what would have happened?  Would this country even be?

I highly recommend this book. It is an easy read, not much in the way of language challenges to our American Dialect.  Odds are you won’t have to look up any words.  And if you like audiobooks, I thank you and can suggest Scott Brick.  I have heard of Scott in my trolling of the Audio Book Producer chat areas online.  Now I know why folks pay money to learn from this man.  He is a master.

I can highly recommend this book because it is informative as well as entertaining.  The Narrator was masterful, so the audiobook is a great choice. 5 bookmarks on both.