The Trial and Execution of the Traitor George Washington

February 15, 2018

The conceit of this alt-history novel is that, in an attempt to end the rebellion in the American colonies, the British successfully kidnap Gen. George Washington from his New Jersey encampment in the winter of 1780, and hustle him across the Atlantic to the Tower of London. The official charge is treason, but the political reason is for him to be a bargaining chip to end this expensive war. Not all goes as planned, however. Washington is willing to hang for independence, and King George III is ready to see this rebel swing, and the sooner the better. It is up to England's veteran prime minister and the inexperienced American ambassador to negotiate a deal that will save face and neck for all parties. By taking a tiny footnote in American history and giving it several imaginative twists, lawyer and author Rosenberg (Death on a Higher Floor) has crafted a different and engaging novel. VERDICT There is enough derring-do here for those seeking an exciting read, and plenty of legal and political maneuvering to satisfy thrill seekers from the legal suspense genre.--W. Keith McCoy, Somerset Cty. Lib. Syst., Bridgewater, NJ

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2018
This novel about the American Revolution imagines--well, the spoiler might be in the title.Of course, the British have to get Washington first--to capture or kidnap him, depending on one's viewpoint. In 1780, the First Minister of Great Britain, Lord North, orders Jeremiah Black to grab the "supreme traitor," Gen. George Washington, and deliver him to justice. So Black sails to New Jersey, where the general and his staff are headquartered, to take him "back to England to stand trial for high treason." One Loyalist thinks killing Washington would be simpler, but a trial in London might force the rebels to a settlement. Lord North wants a "thorough...and slow" investigation prior to the trial, to allow time to negotiate the war's end. Meanwhile, King George III wants a trial and an execution of the rebel leader. Being more than 6 feet tall and disinclined to be cowed, Gen. Washington exudes an "aura of command" even when a group led by Black arrests him in the name of the king. "Sir, if I must die in defense of my country," Washington says, "my life will be forfeit in a noble cause." That's a gutsy statement indeed, given that the likely conviction means mandatory hanging, disembowelment while still alive, then being quartered and beheaded. (Yikes!) North later marvels that Washington "sits even taller in the saddle than I expected," feeding nicely into the narrative of the larger-than-life hero Americans learn about as children. Although Washington had become ill on the ocean crossing aboard the HMS Peregrine, the British largely treat him respectfully according to his rank, and he never, ever complains or shows fear right up to his trip to the gallows. Ethan Abbott of the Continental Congress arrives in London to negotiate Washington's release, but without success, as the title foretells.A well-told if rather straightforward tale that's sure to please lovers of American history.

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April 30, 2018
The latest from attorney Rosenberg (Write to Die) is a fascinating novel that, as usual, showcases his legal expertise, this time in a historical, speculative context. In 1780, Britain is nearly bankrupt from its long war with its former colonies. Its shrewd prime minister, Frederick North, devises a secret plan he hopes will finally force the conflict to a close: the arrest for treason of George Washington, commander-in-chief of the American army and one of the most famous men in the world. The undercover operative he selects, Jeremiah Black, evades danger long enough to capture Washington at his New Jersey headquarters and transport him to the Tower of London. But when Washington refuses to allow his life to be used as a bargaining chip, North’s gamble yields not a negotiated peace but a high-stakes trial featuring a redoubtable defendant and a witness appearance by Benedict Arnold. Unlike classics such as The Man in the High Castle, this alternate history doesn’t speculate on how its re-imagined Washington might have altered America’s future. Rosenberg interweaves legal and political nuances with a suspenseful plot, juxtaposing well-drawn historical figures with appealing inventions, resulting in a thoughtful novel.

July 1, 2018

Things are not going well in England's war with the American Colonies. George III is not happy: battles have been lost, the war has stalled, and it is costing far too much. It is up to First Minister of Great Britain Lord North to lead the strategy governing the war, so he sends Special Agent Jeremiah Black to the colonies to kidnap Gen. George Washington. He plans on negotiating Washington's safety in return for an end to the war. Against all odds, Black succeeds and brings Washington to be kept safely under guard in the Tower of London. North's plan, however, does not work. The king wants Washington charged with treason and publicly hanged, drawn, and quartered. Washington chooses an American-born lawyer to represent him at trial, and, step-by-step, each side builds its case. With Washington out of the picture, might the colonial "rabble" endure without their charismatic leader? History buffs will enjoy this intriguing speculative version of events, as will teens interested in the law, as the book delves into the workings of the 18th-century British legal system. VERDICT Fans of alternate history such as Rachel Caine's Ink and Bone or Terry Pratchett's Dodger will enjoy this title.-Connie Williams, Petaluma Public Library, CA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2018
The title declares that this is alternate history, a genre that asks, What if? Legal analyst Rosenberg wonders what would have happened if, at the height of the American Revolution, the British kidnapped George Washington, spirited him to London, and tried him for treason. This makes for a fascinating tale that combines spy thriller elements, political skulduggery, and courtroom drama. This Washington is an intriguing characterization, allowing Rosenberg to explore the importance of force of personality in leadership and victory. He also offers an interesting take on American-British relations, from loyalists suborning the plot in America to expatriate Americans in London aiding Washington. The political realities of the era, specifically the untenable position faced by the British, are personified by Lord North. The plotting showcases how slow things used to be (months for news of any battle), while at the same time giving a sense of immediacy to the American cause and Benjamin Franklin's witticism, We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)