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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.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, #1 bestselling 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



About the Author

Brad Meltzer

Brad Meltzer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Inner Circle, The Book of Fate, and nine other bestselling thrillers including The Tenth Justice, The First Counsel, The Millionaires, The Book of Fate, and The President's Shadow. His newest book is The House of Secrets.

In addition to his fiction, Brad is one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for Non-Fiction (History Decoded) , Advice (Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter) , Children's Books (I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln) and even comic books (Justice League of America) , for which he won the prestigious Eisner Award.

He is also the host of Brad Meltzer's Lost History on H2 and Brad Meltzer's Decoded on the History Channel. The Hollywood Reporter recently put him on their list of Hollywood's 25 Most Powerful Authors.

Brad is also responsible for helping find the missing 9/11 flag that the firefighters raised at Ground Zero, making national news on the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Using his TV show, Brad Meltzer's Lost History, he told the story of the missing flag and asked Americans for their help in returning it. Four days later, a former Marine walked into a fire station in Everett, Washington, said he saw Meltzer's TV show, and now wanted to return the flag. Meltzer recently unveiled the flag at the 9/11 Museum in New York, where it is now on display. See the video here.

For sure, it's tough to find anyone being so successful in so many different mediums of the popular culture. But why does Brad thrive in all these different professions? His belief that ordinary people change the world. It is that core belief that runs through every one of his projects.

His newest thriller, The House of Secrets, is about the host of America's favorite conspiracy TV show. When he's murdered, his daughter has to solve the crime - and quickly realizes that all the secret stories her father told her growing up were real. Yes, it's full of secret history, including the coolest story you've ever heard about George Washington and Benedict Arnold. And yes, Brad is already working on his next thriller.

His illustrated children's books I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln were written for his own children, to give them better heroes to look up to. Try them. You won't believe how inspired you and your family will be. The next in the series will be I am George Washington and I am Jane Goodall (September) .

His other non-fiction books, Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter, are collections of heroes - from Jim Henson to Sally Ride - that he's been working on since the day his kids were born and is on sale now, as well as History Decoded: The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time.

He's also one of the co-creators of the TV show, Jack & Bobby.

Raised in Brooklyn and



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