Imposters of Patriotism
Ted Richardson’s intriguing Imposters of Patriotism takes us on an exciting journey that explores the present-day effect of a fictionalized letter of surrender written by George Washington to General Howe, head of the British forces, while the fledgling Continental Army was wintering at Valley Forge in 1776. The novel follows the letter from its writing to its eventual discovery by Matt Hawkins, a former Wall Street broker turned antiques dealer. Joining him are a standard cast of characters: the sexy historian and her affable father, the cunning director of a secretive society, and the psychologically warped society’s current president.
The recurring theme of rewritten history plays a major role in the plot, especially how the letter will alter the present-day presidential campaign of a Texas politician. “Big Bill” Emerson might seem familiar to those who were around during the first decade of the 21st century, since he is modelled not-so-loosely on another Texas politician whose own family tree traces back to Washington himself.
While the story relies heavily on exposition through dialog, Imposters keeps the reader engaged through an intriguing take on America’s relationship with its own history: how would the country react if it discovered that its first president had considered complete surrender? While the conspiracy surrounding those seeking to keep the letter a secret is a dubious foundation for a plot, the story of the lost diary itself makes this a fun entry into the genre of revisionist historical thrillers.
