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The First Conspiracy


A remarkable and previously untold piece of American history—the secret plot to ...
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Overall, what do you think of The First Conspiracy?

Created: 05/10/23

Replies: 29

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

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Overall, what do you think of The First Conspiracy?

Overall, what do you think of The First Conspiracy?


Posted May. 11, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sweeney

Join Date: 05/24/11

Posts: 185

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I thought it was well written, easy to read, and contained many facts of which I was totally unaware. I walked away with much more respect for Washington than I started, and I started with quite a bit.


Posted May. 11, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rosemaryc

Join Date: 05/07/16

Posts: 25

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I found it interesting and well-written. It was fascinating to read such a detailed account of those few, though significant, months in 1776. I had not previously known the dramatic story of the plan devised by Henry Knox that sent the British ships fleeing Boston. Kudos to him and to Washington for approving it.


Posted May. 11, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
LizB

Join Date: 06/27/18

Posts: 12

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I enjoyed learning more about Washington and the earliest days of our country, as it was forming. So many hardships to overcome, Washington stayed the course even in the darkest times. Very readable.


Posted May. 11, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
angelaw

Join Date: 05/26/22

Posts: 76

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I loved it. The book examined areas of the Revolutionary War about which I was unfamiliar. Moreover, the writing read as a novel making the book an easy, enjoyable read.


Posted May. 11, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
vivianh

Join Date: 11/14/11

Posts: 160

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I loved the book. It was well written and based upon excellent research. I’d heard of the conspiracy but knew little about it.


Posted May. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Marcia S

Join Date: 02/08/16

Posts: 505

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I liked the book. We take our country for granted and don't realize what a battle it was for us to get our freedom from England. The odds certainly weren't in our favor! I finished it wanting to know even more about the Revolutionary War


Posted May. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Peg A

Join Date: 04/14/17

Posts: 12

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I enjoyed the book. It brought to the forefront the true difficulties that Washington and our forefathers faced to gain independence. Much more information than I knew


Posted May. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lorrained

Join Date: 12/04/20

Posts: 137

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I enjoyed reading it and appreciated that while it was a history book it read like a novel. The short chapters helped enhanced the flow. As the book progressed, there seemed to be repetition between the chapters, perhaps as a method of keeping the sequence of events in order. I would still recommend the book as a good read.


Posted May. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
helenp

Join Date: 12/16/21

Posts: 28

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I especially enjoyed how the chapters were dated. I was drawn in by understanding the timeline and couldn't wait to get to July 4, 1776. Well done, interesting, and allows people to see the courage, brilliance, and sacrifice our forefathers made. Just a fascinating account of the American Revolution. Our armies went through deferred pay, no supplies, horrible living conditions AND the calculation of figuring out who would win. One was concerned about saving oneself from imprisonment or death.


Posted May. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
vickys

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 70

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I had a really hard time finishing the book and staying interested. Information seemed to be repeated and there was a great deal of conjecture about what may have happended in some instances and why something happened.


Posted May. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gerrieb

Join Date: 09/03/19

Posts: 208

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I enjoyed it very much and found it a very quick and easy read. Reading history - especially early American, always makes me wish I could go back in time and be a "fly on the wall" to hear and see firsthand these amazing and critical moments in the history of our country.


Posted May. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Jill

Join Date: 12/14/22

Posts: 79

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I enjoyed this book because it covered a different aspect of Washington’s life as Commander of the Continental Army and because of details about Tryon’s manipulation and deceit leading up to the battle of New York. Though mentioned briefly, it was also interesting that code breakers were needed early on. I was a bit disappointed though, that this was not quite as much of a page turner as Meltzer’s book published earlier this year.


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

Join Date: 05/14/23

Posts: 10

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I am liking the book. It is told in an easy to read format and doesn't seem to get buried in too much date and name detail. I do find the author a bit dramatic in how he likes to leave the reader at the end of every chapter with a "but wait", and "then", "little does he realize", but I think it's meant to be a fun read and so it works.


Posted May. 15, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
judyw

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 70

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

The authors provided the readers with an interesting, well-written "cliffhanger". The adage "truth is stanger than fiction" definitely applies to this book. It is well researched, including many facts unknown to the majority of the populace. I loved the very short chapters--last sentence of each chapter drove me to keep reading. Reading of our American Revolution, the zeal of those who fought and died, only reinterates the love Ukrainians have today for their country and why they will fight so hard to retain all that was Ukraine. The beginnings of our country and sacrifices made by so many founding fathers are a great, and true, story!


Posted May. 18, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joannev

Join Date: 04/14/11

Posts: 68

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I have read quite a few Brad Meltzer books, mostly fiction. This book was an enjoyable and fast read, especially loved his short, dated chapters. I learned a lot that I didn't know about the time before July 4, 1776. I had previously read Ron Chernow's "Washington" but gained even more respect for him after reading this book.


Posted May. 18, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jos

Join Date: 03/14/21

Posts: 139

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

Overall it was an okay read for me, some interesting things I learned but felt as some have already stated it repeated itself often.


Posted May. 21, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
PKH

Join Date: 01/29/21

Posts: 120

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I really enjoyed the book. Very educational and easy to read. I'm going to recommend it to my book club.


Posted May. 22, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 889

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I was surprised how much I enjoyed the book, and how much I learned from it. I never really thought beyond the bare-bones historical outline we learn in school. This book made me want to learn more about the time period.


Posted May. 24, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
barbarae

Join Date: 04/22/11

Posts: 32

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I really enjoyed the book. It brought history alive, was well-written and well-researched. I knew nothing about the conspiracy and was so glad I learned about it.


Posted May. 24, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Kris

Join Date: 05/26/12

Posts: 9

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I enjoyed reading the First Conspiracy. A very well written book and very easy to read. I learned some new history regarding Washington as well as Tryon. I currently live in New Bern, NC and I’m about 5 miles from the Tryon Palace. I had no idea that Washington and Tryon paths crossed in New York, when Tryon was sent there to Govern just as the Revolutionary War was just heating up. It is simply fascinating History. Glad to have read it and will be sure to pass it on!


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

Join Date: 07/24/11

Posts: 220

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

Overall, I thought the book dragged a bit. It was not one of my favorites and I didn't like it as well as The Nazi Conspriacy.


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

Join Date: 01/04/23

Posts: 16

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I really enjoyed "The First Conspiracy". Well written and easy to follow. I have since read the "Nazi Conspiracy" and although a pre-teen at the time the meetings between the Allied leaders of WW2 were taking place I found this book much more exciting for me. To think there could have been a more tragic outcome was much closer to home and I had more invested and knew much more about the Allied leaders.


Posted May. 27, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
johnw

Join Date: 03/11/12

Posts: 102

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

Excellent! It was well written and easy to read. Most importantly the book contained information that I had never read about previously in other books about this time period. Highly recommend!


Posted May. 27, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susan m

Join Date: 10/10/12

Posts: 7

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

As I read this fascinating piece of history I realized how little I know about the early history of our country. I found this book easy to understand and left me wanting to learn more about Washington and the beginnings of our country.
I highly recommend this book


Posted Jun. 01, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lauriem

Join Date: 10/05/22

Posts: 15

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

The narrative kept my interest and the structure was well-balanced. I appreciate the research and the copious notes at the back of the book for those of us who thrill in all the little details. And, of course, whenever one walks away with new knowledge, that's a bonus! All in all, a very enjoyable read for me!


Posted Jun. 01, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dorothyh

Join Date: 01/23/15

Posts: 225

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

It took me about 75 pages to get into the book . easy to read, the author kept the narrative going with history. I did like the references at the back of the book


Posted Jun. 01, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mceacd

Join Date: 07/03/18

Posts: 132

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

Good book. I really appreciated the index and notes, giving the book the authority needed in popular history books.

I agree with Susan M. that the book made me want to know more. I didn’t realize (in spite of American History in school) that the Continental Congress only decided total separation from the Crown just before the fighting began. I learned this and more from The First Conspiracy.

I’ve already recommended the book to some of my friends.


Posted Jun. 04, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mb

Join Date: 10/14/20

Posts: 10

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I enjoyed learning history in an easy to read format. However, the repetition of facts grew tiresome.


Posted Jun. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cathyt

Join Date: 08/14/22

Posts: 29

RE: Overall, what do you think of The ...

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was well-written and highly informative. History can be presented in such a boring manner: but this book defied that.


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