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The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington: A Novel
A Finalist for the Sidewise Award for Alternate History
“A clever and imaginative tale.� —Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author
A thought-provoking novel that imagines what would have happened if the British had succeeded in kidnapping General George Washington.
British special agent Jeremiah Black, an officer of the King’s Guard, lands on a lonely beach in the wee hours of the morning in late November 1780. The revolution is in full swing but has become deadlocked. Black is here to change all that.
His mission, aided by Loyalists, is to kidnap George Washington and spirit him back to London aboard the HMS Peregrine, a British sloop of war that is waiting closely offshore. Once he lands, though, the “aid by Loyalists� proves problematic because some would prefer just to kill the general outright. Black manages—just—to get Washington aboard the Peregrine, which sails away.
Upon their arrival in London, Washington is imprisoned in the Tower to await trial on charges of high treason. England’s most famous barristers seek to represent him but he insists on using an American. He chooses Abraham Hobhouse, an American-born barrister with an English wife—a man who doesn’t really need the work and thinks the “career-building� case will be easily resolved through a settlement of the revolution and Washington’s release. But as greater political and military forces swirl around them and peace seems ever more distant, Hobhouse finds that he is the only thing keeping Washington from the hangman’s noose.
Drawing inspiration from a rumored kidnapping plot hatched in 1776 by a member of Washington’s own Commander-in-Chief Guard, Charles Rosenberg has written a compelling novel that envisions what would take place if the leader of America’s fledgling rebellion were taken from the nation at the height of the war, imperiling any chance of victory.
“A clever and imaginative tale.� —Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author
A thought-provoking novel that imagines what would have happened if the British had succeeded in kidnapping General George Washington.
British special agent Jeremiah Black, an officer of the King’s Guard, lands on a lonely beach in the wee hours of the morning in late November 1780. The revolution is in full swing but has become deadlocked. Black is here to change all that.
His mission, aided by Loyalists, is to kidnap George Washington and spirit him back to London aboard the HMS Peregrine, a British sloop of war that is waiting closely offshore. Once he lands, though, the “aid by Loyalists� proves problematic because some would prefer just to kill the general outright. Black manages—just—to get Washington aboard the Peregrine, which sails away.
Upon their arrival in London, Washington is imprisoned in the Tower to await trial on charges of high treason. England’s most famous barristers seek to represent him but he insists on using an American. He chooses Abraham Hobhouse, an American-born barrister with an English wife—a man who doesn’t really need the work and thinks the “career-building� case will be easily resolved through a settlement of the revolution and Washington’s release. But as greater political and military forces swirl around them and peace seems ever more distant, Hobhouse finds that he is the only thing keeping Washington from the hangman’s noose.
Drawing inspiration from a rumored kidnapping plot hatched in 1776 by a member of Washington’s own Commander-in-Chief Guard, Charles Rosenberg has written a compelling novel that envisions what would take place if the leader of America’s fledgling rebellion were taken from the nation at the height of the war, imperiling any chance of victory.
431 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2018
70 people are currently reading
2745 people want to read
About the author
Charles Rosenberg
6books49followersCharles (“Chuck�) Rosenberg’s latest novel (his fifth) is the alternate history thriller The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington. It imagines what might have happened if the British, in the midst of the Revolution, had kidnapped George Washington and taken him back to England to be tried for high treason.
Chuck’s interest in the American Revolution was first piqued when his 5th grade teacher made him memorize Longfellow’s The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. To this day, he can still recite it if you ask him to (his wife, however, requests that you not ask). His interest continued in college, where he majored in history, with a particular penchant for studying the Revolution.
Now that his American Revolution novel is done and soon to be released, Chuck is at work on a new alternative history, set six months before the start of the Civil War, a period of extreme political stress, but one that has not figured as much in fiction as the Civil War itself.
The first novel Rosenberg ever wrote (we will skip talking about the one he never finished because that was truly a long time ago) was the legal thriller Death on a High Floor, which became an Amazon best-seller in 2014. It’s about the murder of the managing partner of a large international law firm. Rosenberg is quick to point out that the large firms in which he was a partner were really quite nice places; unlike the firm in the novel. That novel was followed by two sequels and the start of a new series in Write to Die, which is set in a glitzy entertainment law firm in Hollywood.
Prior to turning to writing fiction (and in addition to practicing law), Chuck was the credited legal script consultant to three prime time television shows: L.A. Law, The Practice and Boston Legal, as well as the TV show The Paper Chase (Showtime). During the O .J. Simpson criminal trial, he was one of two on-air legal analysts for E! Entertainment Television's live coverage of the trial. He also provided commentary for E!'s coverage of the Simpson civil trial.
Rosenberg has also taught extensively as an adjunct law professor, including at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles (where he currently teaches the course "Law and Popular Culture"), the Loyola Law School International LLM Program in Bologna, Italy, the UCLA School of Law, the Pepperdine School of Law, and the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA.
A graduate of Antioch College and the Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review, Chuck currently practices in the Los Angeles area where he lives with his wife, who is the very effective “in-house� initial editor of everything he writes.
Chuck’s interest in the American Revolution was first piqued when his 5th grade teacher made him memorize Longfellow’s The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. To this day, he can still recite it if you ask him to (his wife, however, requests that you not ask). His interest continued in college, where he majored in history, with a particular penchant for studying the Revolution.
Now that his American Revolution novel is done and soon to be released, Chuck is at work on a new alternative history, set six months before the start of the Civil War, a period of extreme political stress, but one that has not figured as much in fiction as the Civil War itself.
The first novel Rosenberg ever wrote (we will skip talking about the one he never finished because that was truly a long time ago) was the legal thriller Death on a High Floor, which became an Amazon best-seller in 2014. It’s about the murder of the managing partner of a large international law firm. Rosenberg is quick to point out that the large firms in which he was a partner were really quite nice places; unlike the firm in the novel. That novel was followed by two sequels and the start of a new series in Write to Die, which is set in a glitzy entertainment law firm in Hollywood.
Prior to turning to writing fiction (and in addition to practicing law), Chuck was the credited legal script consultant to three prime time television shows: L.A. Law, The Practice and Boston Legal, as well as the TV show The Paper Chase (Showtime). During the O .J. Simpson criminal trial, he was one of two on-air legal analysts for E! Entertainment Television's live coverage of the trial. He also provided commentary for E!'s coverage of the Simpson civil trial.
Rosenberg has also taught extensively as an adjunct law professor, including at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles (where he currently teaches the course "Law and Popular Culture"), the Loyola Law School International LLM Program in Bologna, Italy, the UCLA School of Law, the Pepperdine School of Law, and the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA.
A graduate of Antioch College and the Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review, Chuck currently practices in the Los Angeles area where he lives with his wife, who is the very effective “in-house� initial editor of everything he writes.
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January 17, 2019
Real Rating: 2.5* of five
Way way way way too many uses of the dreaded "As you know..." locution, though that's a poor choice of words on my part because NO. ONE. SAYS. IT. in conversation. In every single instance of the clunky phrase's appearance, I could easily recast the info to be dumped and made it a lot less stodgy.
In general, Author Rosenberg isn't a flashy writer, doesn't dig deep into the English language's treasure chest to get le mot juste, evidenced by his prior works (eg, ). This is not to say the author isn't competent in his storytelling, just that it is foreshortened in the razzmatazz department because of this lack. He chose his story well.
It's a legal procedural tale with very interesting things to tell us about how politics and the law interact. It's also a really interesting PoD (Point of Departure, for the alt-hist newbs) for a story, lots of branching possibilities to be explored, and the one Author Rosenberg chose was replete with promise. I suspect the casual reader wouldn't take to the one he chose, the Grishamesque courtroom drama, because it doesn't promise the thrills, chills, and spills that the title does.
That brings me to my rating. It feels mingy on first viewing. It *is* mingy. But it is in line with my sense of outrage after having my expectations raised high and then underdelivering on the title's specific promise.
Way way way way too many uses of the dreaded "As you know..." locution, though that's a poor choice of words on my part because NO. ONE. SAYS. IT. in conversation. In every single instance of the clunky phrase's appearance, I could easily recast the info to be dumped and made it a lot less stodgy.
In general, Author Rosenberg isn't a flashy writer, doesn't dig deep into the English language's treasure chest to get le mot juste, evidenced by his prior works (eg, ). This is not to say the author isn't competent in his storytelling, just that it is foreshortened in the razzmatazz department because of this lack. He chose his story well.
It's a legal procedural tale with very interesting things to tell us about how politics and the law interact. It's also a really interesting PoD (Point of Departure, for the alt-hist newbs) for a story, lots of branching possibilities to be explored, and the one Author Rosenberg chose was replete with promise. I suspect the casual reader wouldn't take to the one he chose, the Grishamesque courtroom drama, because it doesn't promise the thrills, chills, and spills that the title does.
That brings me to my rating. It feels mingy on first viewing. It *is* mingy. But it is in line with my sense of outrage after having my expectations raised high and then underdelivering on the title's specific promise.
May 27, 2018
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Charles Rosenberg, and Hanover Square Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
In this novel of alternate history, Charles Rosenberg asks the reader to ponder what might have happened if the British Crown had been able to get their hands on General George Washington and bring him to justice in an English Court. In the dead of night, off the New Jersey coast, Colonel Jeremiah Black undertakes his ultra-secret mission. He has only one chance to succeed and many have put their trust in him. Making his way ashore, Black begins a journey that will see him play the role of a disaffected Colonial soldier, inching closer to his ultimate prize. Striking at just the right moment, Black is able to capture General George Washington and take him aboard HMS Peregrine for the trip across the Atlantic. While the journey is slow and laborious, Washington is not yet panicked, sure that he will be treated as a prisoner of war. However, Black has his orders and while he would have rather put a bullet in the military man, he hopes for long-term praise when they reach the English Coast. Meanwhile, news of Washington’s capture reaches the king, as well as the British Cabinet. George III is beside himself with delight—perhaps fuelled by his insanity?—and is prepared to levy charges of high treason, which will lead to a gruesome form of execution, one the monarch is sure will make an example of Washington. Panicked, the Continental Congress of the American States sends its ambassador plenipotentiary, Ethan Abbott, to negotiate terms and bring Washington home safely. However, Britain does not recognise the Congress or any of its officials, leaving Abbott neutered and unsure what to do. After some smooth talking, Abbott is able to communicate with the prisoner, who is prepared to face his indictment, but demands an American represent him in court, even though some high profile Brits are prepared to step up for the cause. Enter Abraham Hobhouse, whose work in a small firm has been anything but remarkable up to this point. When he is approached to represent General Washington, the chance to change history flashes before Hobhouse’s eyes, though the notoriety might also turn sour should he fail. Armed with the most significant case of his career, Hobhouse must cobble together a case to defend a man who does not deny his charges, though remains firmly rooted that the Colonial cause was just and that he led a necessary rebellion. All eyes turn to the London court prepared to hear the case, where history hangs in the balance. Rosenberg proves adept at entertaining as well as educating his reader in this wonderfully developed story that asks ‘what if� in relation to one of America’s founding historical moments. Recommended for those who love history and its alternate possibilities, as well as those who enjoy a unique legal thriller.
Having never read Rosenberg before, this was a delightful introduction to an author with a vivid imagination for alternative history. When I first saw the title, I was immediately drawn to the book, as it sought to posit a significant change in paths to one of the central pieces in early American history. Might Washington’s capture and guilt have deflated the American States and left the English to run roughshod in the colonies, locking them into a horrible situation? Additionally, how would both sides negotiate through international law, sovereign state interaction, and during a state of war? One can only imagine in this well-paced piece of historical fiction. The characters used throughout help the story to progress nicely at different points. Rosenberg uses not only time-centred dialogue and settings, but also brings the characters to life as they seek to find a balance. The reader can feel right in the middle of the action, particularly throughout the lead up and into Washington’s trial. Rosenberg uses a mix of short and mid-length chapters to push the story along, keeping the reader wondering what is to come and how it will resolve itself. This constant pace keeps the narrative crisp and the plot from getting too bogged down in minutiae. Perhaps this is why the story seems to read to swiftly and with ease. As things built, I could find myself curious to see just how far Rosenberg would take things, having literary freedoms under the umbrella of alternate history. The final product is definitely worth the time spent and keeps the reader engaged until the very end.
Kudos, Mr. Rosenberg, for this interesting piece of American history. I will be certain to check out more of your work and keep an eye out to see what you might have coming down the pipeline.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: /group/show/...
In this novel of alternate history, Charles Rosenberg asks the reader to ponder what might have happened if the British Crown had been able to get their hands on General George Washington and bring him to justice in an English Court. In the dead of night, off the New Jersey coast, Colonel Jeremiah Black undertakes his ultra-secret mission. He has only one chance to succeed and many have put their trust in him. Making his way ashore, Black begins a journey that will see him play the role of a disaffected Colonial soldier, inching closer to his ultimate prize. Striking at just the right moment, Black is able to capture General George Washington and take him aboard HMS Peregrine for the trip across the Atlantic. While the journey is slow and laborious, Washington is not yet panicked, sure that he will be treated as a prisoner of war. However, Black has his orders and while he would have rather put a bullet in the military man, he hopes for long-term praise when they reach the English Coast. Meanwhile, news of Washington’s capture reaches the king, as well as the British Cabinet. George III is beside himself with delight—perhaps fuelled by his insanity?—and is prepared to levy charges of high treason, which will lead to a gruesome form of execution, one the monarch is sure will make an example of Washington. Panicked, the Continental Congress of the American States sends its ambassador plenipotentiary, Ethan Abbott, to negotiate terms and bring Washington home safely. However, Britain does not recognise the Congress or any of its officials, leaving Abbott neutered and unsure what to do. After some smooth talking, Abbott is able to communicate with the prisoner, who is prepared to face his indictment, but demands an American represent him in court, even though some high profile Brits are prepared to step up for the cause. Enter Abraham Hobhouse, whose work in a small firm has been anything but remarkable up to this point. When he is approached to represent General Washington, the chance to change history flashes before Hobhouse’s eyes, though the notoriety might also turn sour should he fail. Armed with the most significant case of his career, Hobhouse must cobble together a case to defend a man who does not deny his charges, though remains firmly rooted that the Colonial cause was just and that he led a necessary rebellion. All eyes turn to the London court prepared to hear the case, where history hangs in the balance. Rosenberg proves adept at entertaining as well as educating his reader in this wonderfully developed story that asks ‘what if� in relation to one of America’s founding historical moments. Recommended for those who love history and its alternate possibilities, as well as those who enjoy a unique legal thriller.
Having never read Rosenberg before, this was a delightful introduction to an author with a vivid imagination for alternative history. When I first saw the title, I was immediately drawn to the book, as it sought to posit a significant change in paths to one of the central pieces in early American history. Might Washington’s capture and guilt have deflated the American States and left the English to run roughshod in the colonies, locking them into a horrible situation? Additionally, how would both sides negotiate through international law, sovereign state interaction, and during a state of war? One can only imagine in this well-paced piece of historical fiction. The characters used throughout help the story to progress nicely at different points. Rosenberg uses not only time-centred dialogue and settings, but also brings the characters to life as they seek to find a balance. The reader can feel right in the middle of the action, particularly throughout the lead up and into Washington’s trial. Rosenberg uses a mix of short and mid-length chapters to push the story along, keeping the reader wondering what is to come and how it will resolve itself. This constant pace keeps the narrative crisp and the plot from getting too bogged down in minutiae. Perhaps this is why the story seems to read to swiftly and with ease. As things built, I could find myself curious to see just how far Rosenberg would take things, having literary freedoms under the umbrella of alternate history. The final product is definitely worth the time spent and keeps the reader engaged until the very end.
Kudos, Mr. Rosenberg, for this interesting piece of American history. I will be certain to check out more of your work and keep an eye out to see what you might have coming down the pipeline.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: /group/show/...
February 17, 2018
I am very aware that I decided to read and review an alternate history about America's first President that sounds dire on President's Day weekend. I would like readers to know that this book by Charles Rosenberg shows George Washington in a very positive light for the most part. I received it from the publisher via Net Galley in return for this review.
The fact that Rosenberg's novel is an alternate history means that the book was quite suspenseful for me because I had no idea of how far it would wander from our timeline. George Washington is in British hands. The fate of the American Revolution is in doubt. I wouldn't want to ruin that suspense for other readers by giving even a hint about how the novel ends.
Rosenberg's historical notes showed me that his alternate history is so credible because it was based on real possibilities. I always appreciate when authors of fiction involving history do the necessary research to make characters and events convincing. This is why I would consider The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington a successful example of this speculative fiction sub-genre.
For my complete review see
The fact that Rosenberg's novel is an alternate history means that the book was quite suspenseful for me because I had no idea of how far it would wander from our timeline. George Washington is in British hands. The fate of the American Revolution is in doubt. I wouldn't want to ruin that suspense for other readers by giving even a hint about how the novel ends.
Rosenberg's historical notes showed me that his alternate history is so credible because it was based on real possibilities. I always appreciate when authors of fiction involving history do the necessary research to make characters and events convincing. This is why I would consider The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington a successful example of this speculative fiction sub-genre.
For my complete review see
June 26, 2018
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jeremiah Black, an officer of the King’s Guard and British special agent, lands on the beach in late 1780 when the American Revolution is at its height but is currently deadlocked between the two sides. Black's mission is to change the tide of the war by kidnapping George Washington and sneaking him back to London on nearby ship with help from American Loyalists. Some of the Loyalists, though, would prefer to just kill Washington instead of sending him to England to stand trial for high treason.
I can't resist a good alternate history story and The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington by Charles Rosenberg certainly presents an intriguing hook. I can't say I've read a "what if" novel where so much of American Revolutionary history as we know it hangs in the balance. This is my first book by this author and I'd say it's a great introduction to his imaginative take on the time period. I also enjoyed his presentation of both countries at war - and due to his writing we feel like we're right in the middle of everything from the moment of his capture through to his trial. As interesting as Black and the rest of the cast are to follow, I was hoping we'd actually get to see a bit of the story through Washington's eyes - whether that came in the form of alternating chapters or just small segments of text where we could get a closer look at Washington than what we had the opportunity to in the end. Even though the author has such a great hook, there are some moments that didn't quite work for me. Some scenes, especially closer to the end, are too dull when you should be riveted to your seat. On a similar note, at times I felt to distantly removed from the cast and events to be fully invested throughout the novel.
Overall, if you're in the market for a creative and believable alternate history on the American Revolution and the fate of one of America's founders, you ought to look into The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington by Charles Rosenberg. It has a brilliant hook that will keep you reading to the very end. You'll have to bear through the slower moments, but it's well worth trying out. I will certainly need to look into more of Rosenberg's work in the future.
Thanks again, NetGalley!
Jeremiah Black, an officer of the King’s Guard and British special agent, lands on the beach in late 1780 when the American Revolution is at its height but is currently deadlocked between the two sides. Black's mission is to change the tide of the war by kidnapping George Washington and sneaking him back to London on nearby ship with help from American Loyalists. Some of the Loyalists, though, would prefer to just kill Washington instead of sending him to England to stand trial for high treason.
I can't resist a good alternate history story and The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington by Charles Rosenberg certainly presents an intriguing hook. I can't say I've read a "what if" novel where so much of American Revolutionary history as we know it hangs in the balance. This is my first book by this author and I'd say it's a great introduction to his imaginative take on the time period. I also enjoyed his presentation of both countries at war - and due to his writing we feel like we're right in the middle of everything from the moment of his capture through to his trial. As interesting as Black and the rest of the cast are to follow, I was hoping we'd actually get to see a bit of the story through Washington's eyes - whether that came in the form of alternating chapters or just small segments of text where we could get a closer look at Washington than what we had the opportunity to in the end. Even though the author has such a great hook, there are some moments that didn't quite work for me. Some scenes, especially closer to the end, are too dull when you should be riveted to your seat. On a similar note, at times I felt to distantly removed from the cast and events to be fully invested throughout the novel.
Overall, if you're in the market for a creative and believable alternate history on the American Revolution and the fate of one of America's founders, you ought to look into The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington by Charles Rosenberg. It has a brilliant hook that will keep you reading to the very end. You'll have to bear through the slower moments, but it's well worth trying out. I will certainly need to look into more of Rosenberg's work in the future.
Thanks again, NetGalley!
March 12, 2018
When I sawthe title of this book, I knew I had to read it. I love history and any kind of spin on it will probably end up on my TBR list. While I tend to lean more towards World War II and the Regency Era, I know enough about the American Revolution to immediately want to see what this book had in store. Also, any book with the word "traitor" in the titleis probably going to catch my eye. I was intrigued by the premise of if Washington was kidnapped by the British and wanted to know whether the execution was actually going to happen or not. NO SPOILERS! Let's get to the review!
Synopsis (From ŷ):
British special agent Jeremiah Black, an officer of the King’s Guard, lands on a lonely beach in the wee hours of the morning in late November 1780. The revolution is in full swing but has become deadlocked. Black is here to change all that.
His mission, aided by Loyalists, is to kidnap George Washington and spirit him back to London aboard the HMSPeregrine, a British sloop of war that is waiting closely offshore. Once he lands, though, the “aid by Loyalists� proves problematic because some would prefer just to kill the general outright. Black manages—just—to get Washington aboard thePeregrine, which sails away.
Upon their arrival in London, Washington is imprisoned in the Tower to await trial on charges of high treason. England’s most famous barristers seek to represent him but he insists on using an American. He chooses Abraham Hobhouse, an American-born barrister with an English wife—a man who doesn’t really need the work and thinks the “career-building� case will be easily resolved through a settlement of the revolution and Washington’s release. But as greater political and military forces swirl around them and peace seems ever more distant, Hobhouse finds that he is the only thing keeping Washington from the hangman’s noose.
The story begins with us following Jeremiah Black, an undercover soldier in the British Royal Army, as he travels to the Colonies to kidnap George Washington. But let's be clear here: while his mission is to kidnap George Washington, there are many people involved in the scheme,including people in British Parliament, who would have no problem if he was "accidentally" killed during the kidnapping. But Black will not have it. He does all he can to keep the people out to kill Washington at bayso he can get him back to Britain to be put on trial for treason.
Blackdoesn't do his job alone. The British government foundpeople (pre-kidnapping trip)in the Colonies who were against the revolutionand agreed tohelp Black kidnapWashington. Does he succeed? I kind of have to spoil this part otherwise my review would stop here. Yes, he succeeds!He gets Washington onto a small boat in the middle of the storm and back onto the ship off to England, all while Black is extremely seasick. He is pretty much hanging over the edge of the boat as soon as they take off (lol).
And don't fret Washington fans, the general does not go willingly. He tries to escape at least two times while he is still in the Colonies and almost kills himself in the ocean when he's being taken to the ship. Once Washington is in Britain, there is not much for him to do except sit in a jail cell and wait for help.
That helpcomes in the form of Ethan Abbott, a lawyer from America. He works with the government to try and make a deal for Washington's release. As the title shows, this doesn't work and Washington ends up facing a trial and...possibly an execution.
There are a lot of characters involved in helping Washington get out of prison, including his lawyer, Abraham Hobhouse. Once the trial is underway and the verdict comes back guilty, Abbott, Hobhouse, and Washington work on...other ways to save him from the noose. *evil cackling* Like I said: NO SPOILERS!
While there aresome genuinely suspenseful moments, particularly in the courtroom and at the very end of the book, the story ultimately fell flat for me. There area lot of scenes. Scenes that, in my opinion, didn't necessarily need to be there. We get to see almost every part of the process of kidnapping Washington, getting Washington to Britain, and then trying to get him out of prison. I guess I expected more time to be given to the actual trial but it isa relatively short scene and didn't start until about 2/3of the way in. I wanted more suspense, more thrill. I think it was an issue of telling, rather than showing which is upsetting because the final scene was shown so well. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened. I wish the story included more scenes like that.
While I was entertained by this book, I was waiting for the excitement to start. Even the scene where Jeremiah Black kidnaps Washington felt bland and that shouldbeone of the most suspenseful scenes in the whole story. For these reasons, I am giving The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washinton by Charles Rosenberg 3 out of 5 stars. If you are really into the American Revolution and want to see this alternative version, you might want to check it out despite my misgivings.
The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington by Charles Rosenberg comes out June 26, 2018
Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin/Hanover Square Pressfor this ARCin exchange for my honest review.
Synopsis (From ŷ):
British special agent Jeremiah Black, an officer of the King’s Guard, lands on a lonely beach in the wee hours of the morning in late November 1780. The revolution is in full swing but has become deadlocked. Black is here to change all that.
His mission, aided by Loyalists, is to kidnap George Washington and spirit him back to London aboard the HMSPeregrine, a British sloop of war that is waiting closely offshore. Once he lands, though, the “aid by Loyalists� proves problematic because some would prefer just to kill the general outright. Black manages—just—to get Washington aboard thePeregrine, which sails away.
Upon their arrival in London, Washington is imprisoned in the Tower to await trial on charges of high treason. England’s most famous barristers seek to represent him but he insists on using an American. He chooses Abraham Hobhouse, an American-born barrister with an English wife—a man who doesn’t really need the work and thinks the “career-building� case will be easily resolved through a settlement of the revolution and Washington’s release. But as greater political and military forces swirl around them and peace seems ever more distant, Hobhouse finds that he is the only thing keeping Washington from the hangman’s noose.
The story begins with us following Jeremiah Black, an undercover soldier in the British Royal Army, as he travels to the Colonies to kidnap George Washington. But let's be clear here: while his mission is to kidnap George Washington, there are many people involved in the scheme,including people in British Parliament, who would have no problem if he was "accidentally" killed during the kidnapping. But Black will not have it. He does all he can to keep the people out to kill Washington at bayso he can get him back to Britain to be put on trial for treason.
Blackdoesn't do his job alone. The British government foundpeople (pre-kidnapping trip)in the Colonies who were against the revolutionand agreed tohelp Black kidnapWashington. Does he succeed? I kind of have to spoil this part otherwise my review would stop here. Yes, he succeeds!He gets Washington onto a small boat in the middle of the storm and back onto the ship off to England, all while Black is extremely seasick. He is pretty much hanging over the edge of the boat as soon as they take off (lol).
And don't fret Washington fans, the general does not go willingly. He tries to escape at least two times while he is still in the Colonies and almost kills himself in the ocean when he's being taken to the ship. Once Washington is in Britain, there is not much for him to do except sit in a jail cell and wait for help.
That helpcomes in the form of Ethan Abbott, a lawyer from America. He works with the government to try and make a deal for Washington's release. As the title shows, this doesn't work and Washington ends up facing a trial and...possibly an execution.
There are a lot of characters involved in helping Washington get out of prison, including his lawyer, Abraham Hobhouse. Once the trial is underway and the verdict comes back guilty, Abbott, Hobhouse, and Washington work on...other ways to save him from the noose. *evil cackling* Like I said: NO SPOILERS!
While there aresome genuinely suspenseful moments, particularly in the courtroom and at the very end of the book, the story ultimately fell flat for me. There area lot of scenes. Scenes that, in my opinion, didn't necessarily need to be there. We get to see almost every part of the process of kidnapping Washington, getting Washington to Britain, and then trying to get him out of prison. I guess I expected more time to be given to the actual trial but it isa relatively short scene and didn't start until about 2/3of the way in. I wanted more suspense, more thrill. I think it was an issue of telling, rather than showing which is upsetting because the final scene was shown so well. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened. I wish the story included more scenes like that.
While I was entertained by this book, I was waiting for the excitement to start. Even the scene where Jeremiah Black kidnaps Washington felt bland and that shouldbeone of the most suspenseful scenes in the whole story. For these reasons, I am giving The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washinton by Charles Rosenberg 3 out of 5 stars. If you are really into the American Revolution and want to see this alternative version, you might want to check it out despite my misgivings.
The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington by Charles Rosenberg comes out June 26, 2018
Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin/Hanover Square Pressfor this ARCin exchange for my honest review.
May 24, 2025
A committee of sixth-graders, armed only with a decent history textbook, could have made a more interesting attempt at this concept than Rosenberg has. The varnish of blackguards, Monmouth caps, and the Public Advertiser is microscopically thin. It's historical dumbing down to the depths of Follett, complimented by the dullest and most pedantic writing possible and thin, stupid characters. The dialogue as-you-knows and other exposition are constant, and sometimes things that every reader who, say, Met Felicity early in life also knows, or, at least, knew before the fifth time it was repeated. Starting around the 50% mark, the plot makes flights of mediocrity, some scheming and counter-scheming, but the writing remains abysmal. (Why did I read it? I saw other reviewers disappointed that it was more """legal drama""" than action, and imagined at least a poor imitator of one of Patrick O'Brian's more rambling entries. Is that a crime?)
September 5, 2020
The American Revolution (or Rebellion depending upon your POV) is dragging on, pretty much at a stalemate. It’s causing thousands of lives for both America and Britain. Britain’s treasury is strapped by this war and ongoing ones with France and Spain. First Minister Lord North sends Colonel Jeremiah Black to the colonies to kidnap Washington and bring him back for trial as a traitor to the king. He hopes having Washington as a pawn will focus negotiations and bring the hostilities to an end without giving the colonies independence.
As much as I dislike giving up on a book, I almost did with this one. I really didn’t care about the characters; I didn’t want to read about Washington’s execution. The main characters had a lot gambled on the trial; I never felt the suspense and concern of their risk. I stopped at page 100 ready to give it up. Since I hadn’t decided on my next book and had some time on my hands, I picked it up again. The characters did not get less wooden, but the combination of military tactics, political intrigue, and the trial, did maintain my interest. Lord North did get his wish of Washington in the Tower, but then realized that he had a tiger by the tail.
The story is told primarily through the eyes of Col. Jeremiah Black, Ambassador and attorney Ethan Abbott, American born barrister Abraham Hobhouse, and Lord North. The subtleties of the politics, costs in blood and treasure, the mixed feelings of loyalists in the colonies and Americans in Britain, the notes about other things going on in the world like the fight with France, and the solution to the problem, make for an interesting, but not riveting, read. It should appeal to readers of American and British history. It’s not usual alternate history since it only goes a bit past the trial. The ‘what if� is limited to the capture and the trial; it does not offer what would happen without Washington as a charismatic leader. The plot is interesting, but the execution is only moderately successful. I’m glad I read it, but it’s not a Readers Advisor ‘sure bet.�
Readalikes:
Allison Pataki � The Traitor’s Wife; Jerome Charyn � Johnny One-Eye; Diana Gabaldon � Sir John and the Private Matter; Sally Cabot � Benjamin Franklin’s Bastard; Jeff Shaara � Rise to Rebellion; Andrew Taylor � The Scent of Death; Bernard Cornwell � The Fort; Mary Calvi � Dear George, Dear Mary; David Liss � The Whiskey Rebels; D.B. Jackson � Thieftaker.
Pace: Moderately paced to slow
Characters: Limited development
Storyline: Intricately plotted; plot-driven
Writing style: Compelling; Richly detailed; Thoughtful
Tone: Suspenseful
Frame: New Jersey, London; 1780-81
Theme: What if
As much as I dislike giving up on a book, I almost did with this one. I really didn’t care about the characters; I didn’t want to read about Washington’s execution. The main characters had a lot gambled on the trial; I never felt the suspense and concern of their risk. I stopped at page 100 ready to give it up. Since I hadn’t decided on my next book and had some time on my hands, I picked it up again. The characters did not get less wooden, but the combination of military tactics, political intrigue, and the trial, did maintain my interest. Lord North did get his wish of Washington in the Tower, but then realized that he had a tiger by the tail.
The story is told primarily through the eyes of Col. Jeremiah Black, Ambassador and attorney Ethan Abbott, American born barrister Abraham Hobhouse, and Lord North. The subtleties of the politics, costs in blood and treasure, the mixed feelings of loyalists in the colonies and Americans in Britain, the notes about other things going on in the world like the fight with France, and the solution to the problem, make for an interesting, but not riveting, read. It should appeal to readers of American and British history. It’s not usual alternate history since it only goes a bit past the trial. The ‘what if� is limited to the capture and the trial; it does not offer what would happen without Washington as a charismatic leader. The plot is interesting, but the execution is only moderately successful. I’m glad I read it, but it’s not a Readers Advisor ‘sure bet.�
Readalikes:
Allison Pataki � The Traitor’s Wife; Jerome Charyn � Johnny One-Eye; Diana Gabaldon � Sir John and the Private Matter; Sally Cabot � Benjamin Franklin’s Bastard; Jeff Shaara � Rise to Rebellion; Andrew Taylor � The Scent of Death; Bernard Cornwell � The Fort; Mary Calvi � Dear George, Dear Mary; David Liss � The Whiskey Rebels; D.B. Jackson � Thieftaker.
Pace: Moderately paced to slow
Characters: Limited development
Storyline: Intricately plotted; plot-driven
Writing style: Compelling; Richly detailed; Thoughtful
Tone: Suspenseful
Frame: New Jersey, London; 1780-81
Theme: What if
October 1, 2020
A dizzying, imaginative ride through alternative history, theorizing what would've happened if George Washington had been kidnapped in the middle of the American Revolution and spirited back to London for trial. Admittedly it was an action heavy story and the characters were a little flimsy. (Fantasy authors tend to have both action AND great characters, but that's neither here nor there.)
What I liked best was how the author managed to work in some genuine surprises, including courtroom drama of all things, and cliffhangers that propelled me forward at a breakneck pace. I finished the last fourth of the book in one go because I couldn't stop myself. What I liked least was the questionable ending, but overall I really enjoyed it, especially as a palette cleanser.
What I liked best was how the author managed to work in some genuine surprises, including courtroom drama of all things, and cliffhangers that propelled me forward at a breakneck pace. I finished the last fourth of the book in one go because I couldn't stop myself. What I liked least was the questionable ending, but overall I really enjoyed it, especially as a palette cleanser.
May 14, 2018
In this alternate history novel, the year is 1780 and the British Prime Minster has dispatched a special agent to kidnap George Washington and bring him back to London to stand trial for treason. The concept is interesting to me for two reasons. First, I almost always enjoy a good alternate history scenario. That sort of “what-if� plot usually leads to intriguing stories and this novel is definitely proof of that. Secondly, I am a fan of George Washington, as well as the Revolutionary War in general, but my knowledge level is certainly skewed toward the American point-of-view. It is nice to read of this era from the British point-of-view as well.
The novel uses a variety of characters to tell the story: in addition to George Washington himself, key characters include the American ambassador to Britain, the Prime Minister (Lord North), and probably most importantly, the attorney chosen to defend Washington, Abraham Hobhouse, an American-born barrister with an English wife. As for Washington himself, he comes across very well here, almost an idealized version of what history would want us to believe about his honor and his willingness to sacrifice all for the sake of his fledgling country.
So, I expected all of that from a book such as this and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. But the author, Charles Rosenberg adds to the experience by having his characters politely debate key issues of the nature of treason in wartime as well as other related topics. For example, how exactly do the “rules of war� impact the issue? Are the US colonies simply in rebellion and therefore all participants subject to charges of treason or are they to be considered a separate country and therefore Washington be treated as a prisoner of war? It depends on one’s point-of-view, of course. It was also interesting to see how the British would attempt to use Washington’s capture. The King wants this obvious traitor executed immediately but the prime minister sees better use as a bargaining chip to maneuver an end to the treasury-draining war.
I don’t want to make this book sound like a text book or chalk full of political machinations. It is an approachable read with an easy sort of style that results in a very nice reading experience. There is action and adventure, not only in the initial capture but also in an attempted escape at the end. There is an element of espionage as various factions try to determine and even influence the outcome. Trying to figure out just who is a spy is half the fun. At the same time it does make one think about what might have been, and in the end, seems quite realistic.
Recommended for alternative history buffs as well as general historical fiction readers.
The novel uses a variety of characters to tell the story: in addition to George Washington himself, key characters include the American ambassador to Britain, the Prime Minister (Lord North), and probably most importantly, the attorney chosen to defend Washington, Abraham Hobhouse, an American-born barrister with an English wife. As for Washington himself, he comes across very well here, almost an idealized version of what history would want us to believe about his honor and his willingness to sacrifice all for the sake of his fledgling country.
So, I expected all of that from a book such as this and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. But the author, Charles Rosenberg adds to the experience by having his characters politely debate key issues of the nature of treason in wartime as well as other related topics. For example, how exactly do the “rules of war� impact the issue? Are the US colonies simply in rebellion and therefore all participants subject to charges of treason or are they to be considered a separate country and therefore Washington be treated as a prisoner of war? It depends on one’s point-of-view, of course. It was also interesting to see how the British would attempt to use Washington’s capture. The King wants this obvious traitor executed immediately but the prime minister sees better use as a bargaining chip to maneuver an end to the treasury-draining war.
I don’t want to make this book sound like a text book or chalk full of political machinations. It is an approachable read with an easy sort of style that results in a very nice reading experience. There is action and adventure, not only in the initial capture but also in an attempted escape at the end. There is an element of espionage as various factions try to determine and even influence the outcome. Trying to figure out just who is a spy is half the fun. At the same time it does make one think about what might have been, and in the end, seems quite realistic.
Recommended for alternative history buffs as well as general historical fiction readers.
September 21, 2020
I admit it. The real reason I read alternate history is that I’m fascinated by what-if speculation about the twists and turns of history. What keeps me reading are the imagined consequences that flow from events that didn’t happen or decisions that were never made. To my disappointment, this was not the case with Charles Rosenberg‘s otherwise excellent novel, The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington. I was hoping to learn whether the general was, indeed, the “indispensable man� he has famously been described as being. Instead, Rosenberg elected to tell a simple, straightforward story about the abduction and trial of the American Commander-in-Chief and the circumstances surrounding it. Despite the book’s title (since book titles are often misleading), I was hoping for an alternate history of the early years of the United States after the Revolution, and I didn’t get it.
A secret British operation to kidnap General Washington
In Charles Rosenberg’s alternate history, British Prime Minister Lord North secretly sends Col. Jeremiah Black across the Atlantic with orders to capture George Washington and bring him back to London. There the British will put him on trial for sedition. It’s late fall 1780, and the war is going badly for Britain. The Treasury is not yet bare but is quickly heading in that direction, drained by the twin demands of war with the French and the American debacle. Black’s orders are precise and suspiciously difficult to execute, but the veteran soldier is a resourceful man.
With the active help of a network of Loyalists in New Jersey, he succeeds. Not only does he manage to spirit the American Commander-in-Chief away from his headquarters but to carry him back across the ocean, too. This, despite Washington� several clever escape attempts.
An opportunity to negotiate an end to the American Revolution
Meanwhile, the Continental Congress quickly follows up Washington’s abduction by dispatching a war hero and well-regarded Philadelphia lawyer named Ethan Abbott to London to negotiate for the General’s release. What follows is a detailed account of Abbott’s efforts to secure an end to the war and return Washington home to America. Conditions seem highly favorable for an agreement, since both sides are hurting badly. But it soon becomes clear in the ensuing negotiations with Lord North that the two objectives are mutually exclusive. And it turns out that Washington has plans of his own. It looks as though all the drama will come to a head in the ensuing courtroom drama.
We never learn if Washington is truly the “indispensable man�
In 1974, an eminent American historian named James Thomas Flexner published the four volumes of what many consider the definitive biography of our first President. The concluding book in Washington: The Indispensable Man won the National Book Award and garnered a special Pulitzer citation. As the title implies, Flexner considered General Washington to be the linchpin of the American Revolution and the country’s early government. And that seems to be a reasonable conclusion to draw from history. Too bad Rosenberg didn’t examine the consequences for the new nation in Trial and Execution.
A secret British operation to kidnap General Washington
In Charles Rosenberg’s alternate history, British Prime Minister Lord North secretly sends Col. Jeremiah Black across the Atlantic with orders to capture George Washington and bring him back to London. There the British will put him on trial for sedition. It’s late fall 1780, and the war is going badly for Britain. The Treasury is not yet bare but is quickly heading in that direction, drained by the twin demands of war with the French and the American debacle. Black’s orders are precise and suspiciously difficult to execute, but the veteran soldier is a resourceful man.
With the active help of a network of Loyalists in New Jersey, he succeeds. Not only does he manage to spirit the American Commander-in-Chief away from his headquarters but to carry him back across the ocean, too. This, despite Washington� several clever escape attempts.
An opportunity to negotiate an end to the American Revolution
Meanwhile, the Continental Congress quickly follows up Washington’s abduction by dispatching a war hero and well-regarded Philadelphia lawyer named Ethan Abbott to London to negotiate for the General’s release. What follows is a detailed account of Abbott’s efforts to secure an end to the war and return Washington home to America. Conditions seem highly favorable for an agreement, since both sides are hurting badly. But it soon becomes clear in the ensuing negotiations with Lord North that the two objectives are mutually exclusive. And it turns out that Washington has plans of his own. It looks as though all the drama will come to a head in the ensuing courtroom drama.
We never learn if Washington is truly the “indispensable man�
In 1974, an eminent American historian named James Thomas Flexner published the four volumes of what many consider the definitive biography of our first President. The concluding book in Washington: The Indispensable Man won the National Book Award and garnered a special Pulitzer citation. As the title implies, Flexner considered General Washington to be the linchpin of the American Revolution and the country’s early government. And that seems to be a reasonable conclusion to draw from history. Too bad Rosenberg didn’t examine the consequences for the new nation in Trial and Execution.
June 26, 2018
The story was better than the writing.
March 31, 2023
I really went into this book thinking that I'd love it. The writing felt solid, and I absolutely love reading about this era. I do feel like the author did a good amount of research for the book, but I just didn't feel much of a connection to the story itself.
I also saw the ending a mile away, so the lead up to it wasn't very interesting to me.
I also saw the ending a mile away, so the lead up to it wasn't very interesting to me.
September 16, 2018
What a pleasant surprise. As a huge American history fan I found this “what if � book to be fascinating. What if attempts to kidnap General Washington were successful and he was put in trial for his crimes. Interesting study of British law and legal proceedings as well. I will look to find more of these types of books
February 15, 2019
I read this as part of the “Reading Through the Ages� challenge here on GR. It filled the slot for Alternative History.
I found it quite interesting to read and many of the characters were actually living during that time frame. The pacing of the kidnapping of Gen. George Washington and his imprisonment in the Tower of London during his trial had me racing through to find out if he would be hanged as a traitor and anxious to read some actual history of that period!
I found it quite interesting to read and many of the characters were actually living during that time frame. The pacing of the kidnapping of Gen. George Washington and his imprisonment in the Tower of London during his trial had me racing through to find out if he would be hanged as a traitor and anxious to read some actual history of that period!
May 17, 2025
The premise was great, the book was not.
March 23, 2025
I’m not usually a fan of alternate history, but this was a worthy read! Well written and an enjoyable read!!
Read
August 1, 2020Categories
Historical Thriller, Legal Thriller, War & Military Fiction, Alternative History
Historical Thriller, Legal Thriller, War & Military Fiction, Alternative History
December 9, 2020
Historical fiction tends to have a certain form and rhythm. Even when the history that’s fictionalized is fast paced, the genre tends to be wordier and slower moving than something in the thriller genre. Charles Rosenberg’s alternate historical fiction—imagining a different reality using what we know from the time—deftly combines historical fic and thriller into a compulsively readable novel.
In real life, there were many kidnapping plots against General George Washington. Thankfully, none were successful. But what if Washington had been captured by the British and brought back to England for a trial?
King George would want revenge. Right? Lord North, the Prime Minister at the time, would want a swift end to the war. Right? The Americans would do anything to get their leader back. Right?
Rosenberg imagines all these questions in a tale that combine politics, 18th century law (surprisingly interesting, I swear!), and revolutionary emotional fervor. And for the most part, the plot is incredibly believable. It gets a touch over the top at the end, but by that point I was deep enough into the book to not mind.
Perhaps the most impressive piece of Rosenberg’s novel was how he structured it. The short chapters and swift dialogue were thriller-esque, while the care given to the history was more reminiscent of historical fic. It certainly wasn’t the world’s most memorable novel, but it was a fun story nonetheless that was well worth the week of pre-bedtime reading that I gave it.
In real life, there were many kidnapping plots against General George Washington. Thankfully, none were successful. But what if Washington had been captured by the British and brought back to England for a trial?
King George would want revenge. Right? Lord North, the Prime Minister at the time, would want a swift end to the war. Right? The Americans would do anything to get their leader back. Right?
Rosenberg imagines all these questions in a tale that combine politics, 18th century law (surprisingly interesting, I swear!), and revolutionary emotional fervor. And for the most part, the plot is incredibly believable. It gets a touch over the top at the end, but by that point I was deep enough into the book to not mind.
Perhaps the most impressive piece of Rosenberg’s novel was how he structured it. The short chapters and swift dialogue were thriller-esque, while the care given to the history was more reminiscent of historical fic. It certainly wasn’t the world’s most memorable novel, but it was a fun story nonetheless that was well worth the week of pre-bedtime reading that I gave it.
April 20, 2018
Normally I don't care for alternate histories in fiction. "What if "X" major historical event never happened/ended differently" books usually end up feeling gimmicky and leave me mumbling "yeah...but that's NOT how it went." Odd as it is that we can suspend our disbelief to enjoy a book about werewolves or time travel more easily than if someone imagines that, say, the Romanovs were never assassinated, using this theme for a novel and succeeding is no small feat.
So given that, I was skeptical about a book that hinged on the idea that the British captured and extradited General Washington to London to stand trial for high treason.
Thus, this book was a huge pleasant surprise. Rosenberg somehow managed to avoid that gimmicky feeling, and did an outstanding job of weaving together a story that centered around both real Revolutionary War figures and imagined characters.
This was funny, clever, and didn't drag at all in the way I worried it might before I started reading it. I didn't love that the ending was so, uh...Tale of Two Cities, but overall, an excellent read, especially for those like myself who love this period of history.
*I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
So given that, I was skeptical about a book that hinged on the idea that the British captured and extradited General Washington to London to stand trial for high treason.
Thus, this book was a huge pleasant surprise. Rosenberg somehow managed to avoid that gimmicky feeling, and did an outstanding job of weaving together a story that centered around both real Revolutionary War figures and imagined characters.
This was funny, clever, and didn't drag at all in the way I worried it might before I started reading it. I didn't love that the ending was so, uh...Tale of Two Cities, but overall, an excellent read, especially for those like myself who love this period of history.
*I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
November 7, 2018
This was a fascinating book, albeit not perfect.
There's nothing interesting about the way this speculative history is told. It's only subject + predicate here, folks. Rosenberg is clearly trying to out-Hemingway Hemingway, with nary an adverb in sight and the only two adjectives being the red and the blue of the respective soldiers' coats. If fact, when he does take pains to describe one person's attire, it correctly sent my Spidey sense tingling, which was perhaps too much telegraphing of the ending. However, on the whole, it works because it gives the novel the air of a high school history textbook, a straight forward factual account of these so-called events. Somehow, even with that extremely spare language, Rosenberg manages to build suspense throughout the story. Obviously there's no way to tell, but the events seemed mostly plausible to me. It's an excellent reminder that it's always the victors who shape the narrative for history, and that there are two sides to almost every coin.
The ending was disappointing to me, though. If one is going to write a speculative history, then strap in and write it. Have the courage of your convictions. I felt that Rosenberg chickened out at the end, and that's when all the simple and satisfactory verisimilitude he'd built crumbled.
There's nothing interesting about the way this speculative history is told. It's only subject + predicate here, folks. Rosenberg is clearly trying to out-Hemingway Hemingway, with nary an adverb in sight and the only two adjectives being the red and the blue of the respective soldiers' coats. If fact, when he does take pains to describe one person's attire, it correctly sent my Spidey sense tingling, which was perhaps too much telegraphing of the ending. However, on the whole, it works because it gives the novel the air of a high school history textbook, a straight forward factual account of these so-called events. Somehow, even with that extremely spare language, Rosenberg manages to build suspense throughout the story. Obviously there's no way to tell, but the events seemed mostly plausible to me. It's an excellent reminder that it's always the victors who shape the narrative for history, and that there are two sides to almost every coin.
The ending was disappointing to me, though. If one is going to write a speculative history, then strap in and write it. Have the courage of your convictions. I felt that Rosenberg chickened out at the end, and that's when all the simple and satisfactory verisimilitude he'd built crumbled.
August 27, 2018
"A trial of the traitor will be most welcome. I might even attend."--King George III
The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington is part spy novel, part political drama, part legal drama. But, despite all of that, it's incredibly slow. There is so little tension throughout that I found myself growing a bit bored with it all.
Additionally, Rosenberg has a habit of jumping from following one character to another with no warning, which can be a bit confusing to follow.
Despite all of that, it's clearly very well researched and the characters (especially His Excellency, General George Washington) are complex and clearly true to life.
Basically, it's fine. If you're a huge history buff or really into legal dramas, this may be a book you'll enjoy. I just expected so much more.
The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington is part spy novel, part political drama, part legal drama. But, despite all of that, it's incredibly slow. There is so little tension throughout that I found myself growing a bit bored with it all.
Additionally, Rosenberg has a habit of jumping from following one character to another with no warning, which can be a bit confusing to follow.
Despite all of that, it's clearly very well researched and the characters (especially His Excellency, General George Washington) are complex and clearly true to life.
Basically, it's fine. If you're a huge history buff or really into legal dramas, this may be a book you'll enjoy. I just expected so much more.
August 31, 2018
Yeah, not good. Concept is interesting, but never gets as exciting as I'd hoped. Not to mention the dialogue, which is boring at best and revoltingly dull all other times. Nothing interesting about any of the characters. Changes perspectives in a really non-conflicting way, so I just felt indifferent to anything that did develop. When something interesting does happen, it's told in such a bland way.
July 11, 2018
Interesting premise for an alternative historical fiction, but hobbled by prose that clanks along from one indigestible chunk of character-delivered exposition to another. Geeky tibits, but no poetry.
October 8, 2018
Just meh. I expected a little more derring-do, a little more “oomph� from the General of the Revolution instead of his slightly witty asides.
August 8, 2024
One of the amusing subplots of the American Revolution is the way both sides kept trying to kidnap each other. In 1776, the British netted American General Charles Lee during a tavern tryst with a local “friend.� George Washington set in motion a plan to kidnap Prince William Henry during the latter’s visit to occupied New York, and the redcoats for their part hatched at least two plots to capture Washington.
Though deadly serious at the time, there’s a Keystone Cops element to these attempts when viewed from a distance of over two centuries. Charles Rosenberg, though, asks the question: what if one of these japes succeeded, and the British found themselves the captors of General George Washington?
To be clear, Rosenberg’s point of divergence is entirely fictional. In his imaginative telling, Washington’s capture in November 1780 is the brainchild of American Loyalists and Lord North, the embattled First Minister desperate for a solution to his quagmire � though he gets more than he bargained for when the unflappable commander of the Continental Army lands in the Tower of London.
Rosenberg’s attention to detail is laudatory. This is evident in broad strokes, such as the decision of the Continental Congress to reject John Adams as a negotiator for Washington’s release. King George III hated Adams, to the degree that when Admiral Howe tried to negotiate a settlement with the colonials in 1776, Adams was pointedly excluded from the list of people Howe was authorized to pardon.
But Rosenberg’s dedication to accuracy is evident in small strokes as well, such as the fact that Washington’s tailor Richard Washington (no relation) lived in London and, in the novel, draws on pre-war credit to craft the blue and buff uniforms Washington favored in real life. As someone who’s read multiple biographies of our first president, I appreciate Rosenberg’s mastery of his subject.
This attention to detail gives the novel a feeling for the time in a way history books usually don’t. From the fratricidal backroads of war-torn New Jersey to the pestilent streets of industrializing London, Rosenberg’s world feels lived-in and authentic.
Undercutting this is the fact that Rosenberg often falls prey to the expedient of presenting the unfamiliar through nonsensical dialogue. For example, two characters explain to each other how long it takes for correspondence to cross the ocean. You and I might want to know this, but no one in the 18th century would discuss it amongst themselves as new information, breaking the novel’s illusion.
Some of the writing is clunky as well, such as gems like “the voice…came from a barely-made out…man of middle years.� ‘Barely-made out� is not a phrase that rolls off my tongue. Other examples include “what my life as a soldier has turned out to be about� and “in not too long, he was rewarded.� Rosenberg is a competent author, but he has some distance to go toward consistently smooth prose. I also thought the denouement fizzled out in a bit of unsatisfying silliness.
Where the novel best succeeds is in its portrayal of George Washington. Contrary to the wooden image we’ve inherited, he was a tightly-controlled firebrand and a revolutionary of the first order. I loved his shipboard argument with British officers over the justice of the war, as well as his refusal in the dock of Old Bailey to answer any question not addressed to General Washington. He was exactly such a stickler for his and his country’s honor, and it gratifies me to see him presented correctly.
Though I could wish for better writing, Rosenberg spins his yarn with flavor and flair. The book is light and breezy, easily consumed over a lazy weekend. You’ll pick up dozens of factoids about the Revolution and its players, and perhaps a deeper appreciation of those who decided that rather than hang separately, they would pledge their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to hang together.
Though deadly serious at the time, there’s a Keystone Cops element to these attempts when viewed from a distance of over two centuries. Charles Rosenberg, though, asks the question: what if one of these japes succeeded, and the British found themselves the captors of General George Washington?
To be clear, Rosenberg’s point of divergence is entirely fictional. In his imaginative telling, Washington’s capture in November 1780 is the brainchild of American Loyalists and Lord North, the embattled First Minister desperate for a solution to his quagmire � though he gets more than he bargained for when the unflappable commander of the Continental Army lands in the Tower of London.
Rosenberg’s attention to detail is laudatory. This is evident in broad strokes, such as the decision of the Continental Congress to reject John Adams as a negotiator for Washington’s release. King George III hated Adams, to the degree that when Admiral Howe tried to negotiate a settlement with the colonials in 1776, Adams was pointedly excluded from the list of people Howe was authorized to pardon.
But Rosenberg’s dedication to accuracy is evident in small strokes as well, such as the fact that Washington’s tailor Richard Washington (no relation) lived in London and, in the novel, draws on pre-war credit to craft the blue and buff uniforms Washington favored in real life. As someone who’s read multiple biographies of our first president, I appreciate Rosenberg’s mastery of his subject.
This attention to detail gives the novel a feeling for the time in a way history books usually don’t. From the fratricidal backroads of war-torn New Jersey to the pestilent streets of industrializing London, Rosenberg’s world feels lived-in and authentic.
Undercutting this is the fact that Rosenberg often falls prey to the expedient of presenting the unfamiliar through nonsensical dialogue. For example, two characters explain to each other how long it takes for correspondence to cross the ocean. You and I might want to know this, but no one in the 18th century would discuss it amongst themselves as new information, breaking the novel’s illusion.
Some of the writing is clunky as well, such as gems like “the voice…came from a barely-made out…man of middle years.� ‘Barely-made out� is not a phrase that rolls off my tongue. Other examples include “what my life as a soldier has turned out to be about� and “in not too long, he was rewarded.� Rosenberg is a competent author, but he has some distance to go toward consistently smooth prose. I also thought the denouement fizzled out in a bit of unsatisfying silliness.
Where the novel best succeeds is in its portrayal of George Washington. Contrary to the wooden image we’ve inherited, he was a tightly-controlled firebrand and a revolutionary of the first order. I loved his shipboard argument with British officers over the justice of the war, as well as his refusal in the dock of Old Bailey to answer any question not addressed to General Washington. He was exactly such a stickler for his and his country’s honor, and it gratifies me to see him presented correctly.
Though I could wish for better writing, Rosenberg spins his yarn with flavor and flair. The book is light and breezy, easily consumed over a lazy weekend. You’ll pick up dozens of factoids about the Revolution and its players, and perhaps a deeper appreciation of those who decided that rather than hang separately, they would pledge their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to hang together.
June 20, 2022
First off, a five-star title.
Second, if you’re reading this book hoping to get to know George Washington better, you probably won’t. Ditto anyone Americans would typically name if asked for major figures in the Revolutionary War.
Rather, this is the story of a bounty-hunterish kidnap plot, followed by a drawn-out lawsuit involving two parties who just won’t compromise: George Washington, former British subject and soldier turned independence-or-die military leader, and King George III, the monarch who’s branded Washington a traitor (a death sentence) and who has no intention of giving up the American colonies. For both, it’s personal.
For Lord North, the First Minister of Great Britain and architect of the kidnap plot (which it was assumed would end with Washington dead on American soil), a full trial with conviction and public death for Washington would be a nightmare. There goes the limited monarchy, in which kings answer to Parliament and can’t just yell “off with his head!� And here come thousands of new recruits for the colonial army, enraged and off the sideline to fight.
Here also comes Ethan Abbott: war hero missing part of a leg, Philadelphia lawyer, and dandy in the making. Recruited by colonial leaders, he’s appointed ambassador and sent to England to negotiate. Abbott in turn recruits Abraham Hobhouse, a young lawyer originally from the American colonies who went to England to study and decided to stay. He’s the only lawyer Washington will accept.
Major (temporarily Colonel) Jeremiah Black of the British special forces, having captured Washington against long odds, is assigned to live in the Tower of London to spy of Washington and all the other spies spying on Washington, which he does unseen by Washington and, sadly, the reader.
The nature of the narrative means serial pairings of characters, and long stretches where characters aren’t seen until their setting or role comes up again. As to setting, would that there were more of it, since much of the action is told through dialogue and internal thoughts. That turns action into “action,� with unfortunately little thrill in the thriller.
The reader will learn that there were people on both sides of this conflict who rooted for the opposite side or at least respected it, and that a Canada-like compromise might’ve been reached but for a few stubborn individuals and some bold individual choices. But no reader who didn’t already like history will be won over.
Second, if you’re reading this book hoping to get to know George Washington better, you probably won’t. Ditto anyone Americans would typically name if asked for major figures in the Revolutionary War.
Rather, this is the story of a bounty-hunterish kidnap plot, followed by a drawn-out lawsuit involving two parties who just won’t compromise: George Washington, former British subject and soldier turned independence-or-die military leader, and King George III, the monarch who’s branded Washington a traitor (a death sentence) and who has no intention of giving up the American colonies. For both, it’s personal.
For Lord North, the First Minister of Great Britain and architect of the kidnap plot (which it was assumed would end with Washington dead on American soil), a full trial with conviction and public death for Washington would be a nightmare. There goes the limited monarchy, in which kings answer to Parliament and can’t just yell “off with his head!� And here come thousands of new recruits for the colonial army, enraged and off the sideline to fight.
Here also comes Ethan Abbott: war hero missing part of a leg, Philadelphia lawyer, and dandy in the making. Recruited by colonial leaders, he’s appointed ambassador and sent to England to negotiate. Abbott in turn recruits Abraham Hobhouse, a young lawyer originally from the American colonies who went to England to study and decided to stay. He’s the only lawyer Washington will accept.
Major (temporarily Colonel) Jeremiah Black of the British special forces, having captured Washington against long odds, is assigned to live in the Tower of London to spy of Washington and all the other spies spying on Washington, which he does unseen by Washington and, sadly, the reader.
The nature of the narrative means serial pairings of characters, and long stretches where characters aren’t seen until their setting or role comes up again. As to setting, would that there were more of it, since much of the action is told through dialogue and internal thoughts. That turns action into “action,� with unfortunately little thrill in the thriller.
The reader will learn that there were people on both sides of this conflict who rooted for the opposite side or at least respected it, and that a Canada-like compromise might’ve been reached but for a few stubborn individuals and some bold individual choices. But no reader who didn’t already like history will be won over.
October 9, 2020
An alternative timeline book, the story follows the premise of what has now been found to be historically accurate - there were plans to kidnap General Washington to weak the Continental Army and the American Revolution in its infancy. It cannot be disputed that for the character that is one of the most dynamic and important founding father in American history, General George Washington is paramount to the success of the revolution, and indeed the experiment that is American democracy.
Rosenberg takes the plot, and takes it further - what happens when the government of First Minister Lord North tasks a member of the Kings Guard to kidnap General Washington, charge him with treason, and bring him back to England to await his trial and execution?
At its onset, what should have been an intriguing thriller by Rosenberg gets bogged down with choppy chapters, frivolous dialogue, characters that remain for the most part two dimensional and also a disjointed narrative. Most of the novel takes place in England after the subsequent kidnapping - and while there is plenty of intrigue, it fails to play out in ways to jump out of the ages.
No the saving grace of the novel is the legalese of the English Courts during the trial of General Washington, Colonel Black his kidnapper (who disappears from the narrative for most of the novel even though we learn he is still on the case as the imprisonment and trial of Washington continue in the book), and Ambassador Abbot himself sent by the Americans to attempt to secure the release of General Washington.
It is not a terrible read, and I applaud Rosenberg for taking the scant details of the real plot that Meltzer and Mensch had highlighted, and pushing into legal grounds. It is an enjoyable read if you can ignore the disappearing characters from the narrative, short and choppy chapters, and a slew of action in the last 100 pages of the book - and of course, getting to see another iteration of General Washington being himself.
Rosenberg takes the plot, and takes it further - what happens when the government of First Minister Lord North tasks a member of the Kings Guard to kidnap General Washington, charge him with treason, and bring him back to England to await his trial and execution?
At its onset, what should have been an intriguing thriller by Rosenberg gets bogged down with choppy chapters, frivolous dialogue, characters that remain for the most part two dimensional and also a disjointed narrative. Most of the novel takes place in England after the subsequent kidnapping - and while there is plenty of intrigue, it fails to play out in ways to jump out of the ages.
No the saving grace of the novel is the legalese of the English Courts during the trial of General Washington, Colonel Black his kidnapper (who disappears from the narrative for most of the novel even though we learn he is still on the case as the imprisonment and trial of Washington continue in the book), and Ambassador Abbot himself sent by the Americans to attempt to secure the release of General Washington.
It is not a terrible read, and I applaud Rosenberg for taking the scant details of the real plot that Meltzer and Mensch had highlighted, and pushing into legal grounds. It is an enjoyable read if you can ignore the disappearing characters from the narrative, short and choppy chapters, and a slew of action in the last 100 pages of the book - and of course, getting to see another iteration of General Washington being himself.
September 19, 2018
Original review can be found at:
**A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
While the cover of this book was rather bland, the eye-catching title made up for it. The trial and execution of the traitor of George Washington. That sentence in of itself was enough for me to request this book. The other thing was the description of being an alternative ending to the American Revolution. I found that fascinating.
Full disclosure: I did not finish this book. I tried three different times to get into it and it was a huge struggle. I didn’t make it past 20%. However, I will review what I read. Jeremiah Black is getting a super secret mission to sail to the Colonies and kidnap George Washington and bring him back to England to stand trial for treason. Jeremiah is given a fake name and cover to hide under. He is deposited on the shore in the middle of a storm and picked up by the people on the beach. He is taken to a barn where he meets up with the rest of the extraction team. From there he gets the low down of how they are going to break into the house and kidnap and whisk George Washington away without getting caught.
I really, really wanted to like this book. I truly did. I thought that the whole idea was awesome. An American Revolution twist of “if the British had won�. I found the book dry and hard to get into. At 20% in they had JUST kidnapped George Washington. It moved slow and gave a lot more detail than was necessary. I have read a fair share of fiction and nonfiction historical books, so this was nothing new for me to read. I don’t want to dissuade you from reading this book. Please read it and form your own opinion.
**A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
While the cover of this book was rather bland, the eye-catching title made up for it. The trial and execution of the traitor of George Washington. That sentence in of itself was enough for me to request this book. The other thing was the description of being an alternative ending to the American Revolution. I found that fascinating.
Full disclosure: I did not finish this book. I tried three different times to get into it and it was a huge struggle. I didn’t make it past 20%. However, I will review what I read. Jeremiah Black is getting a super secret mission to sail to the Colonies and kidnap George Washington and bring him back to England to stand trial for treason. Jeremiah is given a fake name and cover to hide under. He is deposited on the shore in the middle of a storm and picked up by the people on the beach. He is taken to a barn where he meets up with the rest of the extraction team. From there he gets the low down of how they are going to break into the house and kidnap and whisk George Washington away without getting caught.
I really, really wanted to like this book. I truly did. I thought that the whole idea was awesome. An American Revolution twist of “if the British had won�. I found the book dry and hard to get into. At 20% in they had JUST kidnapped George Washington. It moved slow and gave a lot more detail than was necessary. I have read a fair share of fiction and nonfiction historical books, so this was nothing new for me to read. I don’t want to dissuade you from reading this book. Please read it and form your own opinion.
January 14, 2019
TITLE: The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington
AUTHOR: Charles Rosenberg
GENRE: Alternate History
PAGES: 432
I am a sucker for the “What If� story. It appeals to the history lover in me. Most of the “What If?� books involve World War II. This is the first time I have read one involving The Revolutionary War, much less one about the capture of George Washington.
In The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington, Charles Rosenberg gives us a tale of what would happen if General George Washington was captured, brought back to London, and tried for the crime of treason, and possibly given a traitors death.
On a whole, this book was entertaining and gave me something to think about. It struck my imagination and stoked it for a really good tale. If I had to nitpick, I would say that the capture of General George Washington felt a bit rushed. I realize that was not the whole of the story, but to me it seemed that things went too well for the people capturing the General.
Otherwise, the story was well done. The legal wranglings between London and The Continental Congress gave me a lot to think about. The fact that George Washington was being treated like a citizen of England rather than an American punched the story up even more. That is something that I never stopped to think about. Sure, there was a revolution going on, and that we were once considered to be citizens of the king, but we are talking about one of our greatest heroes, future President George Washington, and the possibility that he would not become our president!
All in all I give this one 4 out of 5 bookmarks.
AUTHOR: Charles Rosenberg
GENRE: Alternate History
PAGES: 432
I am a sucker for the “What If� story. It appeals to the history lover in me. Most of the “What If?� books involve World War II. This is the first time I have read one involving The Revolutionary War, much less one about the capture of George Washington.
In The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington, Charles Rosenberg gives us a tale of what would happen if General George Washington was captured, brought back to London, and tried for the crime of treason, and possibly given a traitors death.
On a whole, this book was entertaining and gave me something to think about. It struck my imagination and stoked it for a really good tale. If I had to nitpick, I would say that the capture of General George Washington felt a bit rushed. I realize that was not the whole of the story, but to me it seemed that things went too well for the people capturing the General.
Otherwise, the story was well done. The legal wranglings between London and The Continental Congress gave me a lot to think about. The fact that George Washington was being treated like a citizen of England rather than an American punched the story up even more. That is something that I never stopped to think about. Sure, there was a revolution going on, and that we were once considered to be citizens of the king, but we are talking about one of our greatest heroes, future President George Washington, and the possibility that he would not become our president!
All in all I give this one 4 out of 5 bookmarks.
February 11, 2019
The premise of this novel is extremely intriguing - what if the British had successfully captured George Washington during the Revolutionary War, put him on trial for treason, and condemned him to death? That is a hard alternative history point of view to resist. While not a historian on the Revolution, it doesn't seem inconceivable that a plot to capture him could have occurred.
As the author himself is a law professor, it makes sense that the majority of the book surrounded the legal process and ways in which each side tried to outdo the other to either secure Washington's release or his conviction. I enjoyed the back and forth of the British and the American delegations' sentiments - the British viewing the Americans as annoyances; the Americans defiant that they would not accept anything other than full independence; the British always arrogantly thinking they were in the right; the Americans using their trademark "ragtag" rebelliousness to outwit them. It should make any American continue to feel proud about what the Founding Fathers were able to do in an age before transatlantic communication or any technology.
For me, the novel got a bit bogged down with all the legalities, making it at times a little dull. Trying to understand the legal precedents in 1780s England was more than I wanted to do when I first picked up this book. But the escape scene at the end of the novel did not disappoint - that was the kind of action I was looking for with this book. If this novel is turned into a film, I will definitely be watching it.
As the author himself is a law professor, it makes sense that the majority of the book surrounded the legal process and ways in which each side tried to outdo the other to either secure Washington's release or his conviction. I enjoyed the back and forth of the British and the American delegations' sentiments - the British viewing the Americans as annoyances; the Americans defiant that they would not accept anything other than full independence; the British always arrogantly thinking they were in the right; the Americans using their trademark "ragtag" rebelliousness to outwit them. It should make any American continue to feel proud about what the Founding Fathers were able to do in an age before transatlantic communication or any technology.
For me, the novel got a bit bogged down with all the legalities, making it at times a little dull. Trying to understand the legal precedents in 1780s England was more than I wanted to do when I first picked up this book. But the escape scene at the end of the novel did not disappoint - that was the kind of action I was looking for with this book. If this novel is turned into a film, I will definitely be watching it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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