The First Conspiracy

The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington

By: Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

2019 Hudson Booksellers Best of the Year

This program includes a bonus conversation with the authors. 

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. 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 masterpiece, New York Times best-selling 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.

Praise for The First Conspiracy:

"This is American history at its finest, a gripping story of spies, killers, counterfeiters, traitors - and a mysterious prostitute who may or may not have even existed. Anyone with an interest in American history will love this book." (Douglas Preston, number-one best-selling author of The Lost City of the Monkey God)

“A wonderful book about leadership - and it shows why George Washington and his moral lessons are just as vital today. What a book. You’ll love it.” (President George H.W. Bush)

“This is an important book: a fascinating largely unknown chapter of our hazardous beginning, a reminder of why counterintelligence matters, and a great read.” (President Bill Clinton)

©2019 Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Critic Reviews

Hudson Booksellers Best of the Year, 2019

So much forced drama

Well, I made it through with out returning it. Average, average, average. Initially a very interesting topic but repeats itself so much and stretches what should be a great magazine article to am eleven hour audible book. All makes sense when I heard the authors involved a first time author with background in producing History channel programs along with a thriller writer implementing all the tricks of an airport read. Not sure the non fiction genre needed a make over. The narrator reads with such gravitas at all times I felt like I was listening to campfire stories... for eleven straight hours...

Brilliantly written and narrated!

There is little new in THE FIRST CONSPIRACY, but this is the first book to provide this level of detail about the 1775 - 1776 secret plot against General George Washington the newly appointed leader of the American forces against British rule of the American colonies. Even in his wonderful 42 hour biography Washington historian Ron Chernow is forced to give short shrift to this conspiracy topic. We owe authors Meltzer and Mensch a debt of gratitude for this work. Since Scott Brick has narrated all of Brad Meltzer's novels it is no surprise that he narrates this non-fiction masterpiece.

THE FIRST CONSPIRACY will appeal to students of US history and it should also appeal to lovers of espionage thrillers.

Meltzer clears the Green Monster

I fell in love with Brad via the History channel shows. As a history buff, I love real life mysteries and the process of untangling history to understand them, and Brad does such a fantastic job of bringing them to life on the digital screen. I learned about this book while attending a book signing for the children's series in Houston, TX and was immediately set on fire. It took quite awhile for the AB version to drop but I had it pre-Purchased and waited breathlessly for that message from Audible that it was ready. Coincidentally, it dropped in the middle of a 2 month vacation, so it took jostling of my schedule to work it in but as I lay here in the cold North-English winter, wrapped in a giant comforter, I finished it. Thanks for throwing in the interview at the end!

George Washington is such an intriguing character in general history, and a beacon of American history. Never is it more evident that no matter the mistakes made, the lack of experience, or the humble beginnings, fate touched him, making him the perfect man doing the perfect job at the perfect moment to astound the world with the least predictable military coup in history to that time. America couldn't have been born with out him and this book really puts such a raw but distinct headlight on that.

Entertaining for a non-fiction book.

This story takes place in 1776. It is about a secret plot by the British to assassinate George Washington.

The book is well written and extensively researched. The story jumps about following different people, but it all flows together. The author chose to write in the present tense which is unusual for a non-fiction book. The story reads like a novel and at times is suspenseful. I was amazed at the number of Continental Soldiers that were recruited as spies and saboteurs particularly among the Lifeguards (Washington’s bodyguards). The story is entertaining and interesting. It is well worth the read.

The book is eleven hours and eight minutes. Scott Brick does an excellent job narrating the book. Brick is an actor and award-wining audiobook narrator. He has won fifty Earphone Awards and five Audie Award as well as twice being the Publisher Weekly’s Best Narrator Award.

Provisional review

I'm over an hour into the audio book. Excellent narration and a fascinating story. Descriptive, good narrative flow and engaging. Recommended for any interested in this time period.

Today is Jan 8 2019. The audiobook released this morning. I'm comparing and contrasting the descriptions of behavior with those of today's politicians. Very sobering.

Outlander fans will be engaged by the Washington -Tryon story.

In other words....

I love history, especially American history, so I started this book with great excitement. Unfortunately I found the story and information repetitive and boring. There were some facts and historical figures that were interesting and relatively unknown, but the whole story could have presented in a novella and been far more interesting. Obviously, the British would do anything they could to stop the revolution and hinder Washington and the Patriots from achieving their goal, but Scott Brick's overly dramatic reading made it sound like it was all so terrible shocking and new.... And if I hear the phrase"..in other words..." one more time I will throw up.

Excellent book

History books can often be monotonous and boring. Not this one. Loved it. will be listening again for sure.

absolutely amazing!

i devoured this book! Brad Meltzer needs to do more nonfiction!

The narrator was incredible and the story was riveting.

will be looking for more books from Brad and the narrator!

Best history I've ever read!

I like history but it's usually quite dry and mostly a string of facts. And I don't really trust historical fiction. This book however brings all the documented facts into a suspenseful unfolding and is read by Brick with a passionate delivery. It is also a tribute and reminder of a truly great and competent leader. Everyone should read this book!

Waste of my time

I usually love Brad Meltzer books. However this one was painful to finish. The storyline was thin, and was many hours longer than it needed to be.