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The First Conspiracy


A remarkable and previously untold piece of American history—the secret plot to ...
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Were there historical figures that you would have liked to have learned more about? Was there anything else you wished the authors had addressed?

Created: 05/10/23

Replies: 6

Posted May. 10, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Were there historical figures that you would have liked to have learned more about? Was there anything else you wished the authors had addressed?

Were there historical figures mentioned in the book that you would have liked to have learned more about? Was there anything else about the time period you wished the authors had addressed?


Posted May. 14, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
valeriei

Join Date: 01/04/23

Posts: 16

RE: Were there historical figures that ...

I wish to comment on the second half of this question. When I was deciding whether or not wanted to read this book I knew that I would see it as a waste of time if the authors did not have a foundation in solid facts for the conclusions they wanted me to draw from their reporting and story telling. I found the beginnings of my answer in the authors opening lines of his introduction, even before the prologue. He wrote" This book started as a detective story. Nearly a decade ago. I found my first clues where all the best clues are found - in the footnotes. I forget the name of the book, but there it was: a supposed plot to kill George Washington. " It took me a little longer to read, but not too much, and every so often I would refer to the notes in the end of the book to try and understand better where were these suspicions of a conspiracy coming from. Certainly not from the author's imaginings. I really enjoyed the way the story is told. The presentations took me back to old radio and TV productions of "You Are There",which are written to take the listener or viewer back in time and brings the happenings into the present. It was exciting and a great way to learn history. Valerie


Posted May. 16, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Jill

Join Date: 12/14/22

Posts: 79

RE: Were there historical figures that ...

I was left wanting to learn more about John Jay and Alexander Hamilton. John Jay had many roles throughout his lifetime before and after his role on the Committee for Conspiracies. The authors also touch on the importance of Alexander Hamilton to Washington, including their strategizing about some of the battles that led to the greatest victories that turned the tide of the war. I wish the authors delved more into whether Washington tasked his Generals with getting a handle on whether soldiers were recruited by the Loyalists.


Posted May. 25, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
scottishrose

Join Date: 07/24/11

Posts: 220

RE: Were there historical figures that ...

I think I would like to know more about General Lee and the charges against him that were determined to be unfounded. John Jay would be another person that I think would be interesting, his journey from the New York Provisional Government to the Supreme Court. Why was he so good at what he did?


Posted May. 25, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
valeriei

Join Date: 01/04/23

Posts: 16

RE: Were there historical figures that ...

No other character stood out for me to want to have more information about. I was however very impressed with how much I had learnt, so easily about this time period. I really enjoyed the journalistic style. Especially how the author took me by hand and primed me with information I needed to understand what is happening around the edges of the story. I would be ready to read more about Washington's pre -presidential days in a later installment of the Revolutionary War. Valeriei.


Posted May. 29, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 889

RE: Were there historical figures that ...

I would have liked to have known more about Henry Knox, the man who came up with the plan to obtain the cannons. That was brilliant!


Posted May. 31, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ylhoff

Join Date: 10/23/12

Posts: 85

RE: Were there historical figures that ...

I would have liked to learn less about the bad conditions and more about the key women who were and must have been involved, to a great extent, in Washington's army build up, information gathering and movements. I know it wasn't normal to highlight them in correspondence or news at that time. So, no expectations really.


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