The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington

The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington

by Brad Meltzer

4.4 (3,910)

4.4 stars from 3,910 reviews. Top 61% of Biography Memoir books we track.

Published by Large Print PressPublished 2020-01-01

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Last checked: Jul 3, 2026

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Perfect for you if...

  • You enjoy narrative history that reads like a thriller, with real stakes and genuine surprises about events you thought you knew.
  • You're fascinated by espionage and counterintelligence, and want to understand how America's spy craft actually began.
  • You appreciate well-researched history that uncovers forgotten stories buried in the margins of textbooks, not reheated familiar narratives.

Maybe not for you if...

  • You prefer history books that stay academic and scholarly rather than ones that lean into dramatic storytelling.
  • You want sweeping narratives about battles and military strategy rather than political intrigue and detective work.
  • You're looking for a short, quick read. This is meticulously researched and demands proper attention.

About this book

The First Conspiracy examines a previously untold episode from America's founding era: a secret plot against George Washington during the months leading up to the Revolutionary War. In 1776, an elite group of soldiers handpicked to serve as Washington's bodyguards were involved in a treasonous scheme alongside William Tryon, Governor of New York, and David Mathews, Mayor of New York, to kill the military's most important leader. The book traces how this conspiracy was discovered and reveals the cast of characters involved: leaders, liars, counterfeiters, and jailhouse confessors. It demonstrates how close America came to losing the Revolutionary War and illustrates Washington's character during this critical period. Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch draw on extensive research to detail how Washington defeated the most powerful military force in the world while simultaneously uncovering the secret plot against him in the days before July 4, 1776. The narrative also illuminates the origins of America's counterintelligence movement that eventually led to the modern CIA.

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Currently around #28K in the Kindle store — a steady mid-list seller.

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Currently 4.4★ from 3,910 reviews

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Brad Meltzer

1 book on Vagrant Press

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