The Man Who Could Be King

by John Ripin Miller

When young Josiah Penn Stockbridge accepts the position as aide-de-camp to George Washington at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, he thinks only of the glory and romance of battle. He is unprepared for the reality of America’s bloody fight for independence. The Continental Army is starving, underpaid, and dangerously close to mutiny, and Washington fights not just to defeat the British but to maintain order and morale among his own men. As anonymous letters by officers calling for revolt circulate through camp in Newburgh, New York, Washington must make a preserve the young republic by keeping civilian control of the military, or reshape the new government by standing in solidarity with his troops and assuming greater power for himself. During one fateful week in American history, Josiah will watch a conflicted general become a legend and will discover for himself that the greatest struggles of war are those within the hearts and minds of fallible men.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, American History, American Revolutionary War, Audiobook, Presidents

310 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2017

Reviews

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm on a roll.... since reading "John Adams" , ( ebook), I've started listening to the audiobook "Truman", by David McCullough. Given that it's 54 hours long -I've yet to make a dent and may at some point switch to the ebook - but I'm enjoying the audiobook so far ( early farming background days of Truman so far).

I've also started - the ebook, "Destiny of the Republic": A Tale of Madness, Medince, and Murder of a President..... but then I stumbled across a 'freebie' novel about George Washington....( June Kindle monthly-Free Pick), by John Ripin Miller.

Granted.....I have nothing to compare this George Washington 'novel' to.....( not being known as a 'history-buff' girl)....however, for what my opinion is worth: I thought this book was completely engaging: both enjoyable and informative. I zipped through it. My eyes were opened.

Much of this book focuses on the Revolutionary War. I saw how difficult it was to imagine the hold the Revolutionary War had on Americans in the first half of the 19th century. Veterans who had served were idolized.....and children in schools and or by their grandparents, ( me included), were being taught watered down stories of George Washington.

Where my eyes opened in this historical novel was learning more about the period after Yorktown and before the peace treaty, 1781 to 1783.

The author, John Ripin Miller, painted a great visual for me by using a fictional 'aid-de-camp', Josiah Penn to be the narrator of the "retelling of history". I saw Josiah Penn as an unbiased aid to the General ( Washington had 32 aids but only 1 was at his side the entire time). All other aids mentioned in the book existed. They were part of the 33 who served the General during the Revolutionary War.

I enjoyed reading about Washington's personal life with Martha. Martha was a bright woman - like John Adams wife ... yet different. Martha came from a wealthy family for one thing - Abigail came from a farming family.
But...... I laughed - both woman were short petite women.... haha... like myself?
However, where readers got to FULLY ENJOY letters written between John Adams and his wife Abigail ..... Martha BURNED HER LETTERS to Washington after he died. She did not want us to read her personal correspondence years later. Hm??? Martha gave birth to 4 children. It's sad, she outlived them 'all'. Martha was married to Daniel Parke Custis for 7 years before he died.

Washington relied heavily on "The Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation". It was his constant 'guide'. He took them seriously.

1781 was the low point of American morale during the Revolution. "The people are disconnected," George Washington wrote to John Laurens in early 1781, "but it is with the feeble and oppressive mode of conducting the war, not with the war itself". Washington believed it was critical for the United States and its French allies to achieve military victory in 1781 or all might be lost because of the state of American public opinion. Washington could not have foreseen the events that eventually unfolded that year.....
It was only when strategic activities of General Nathanael Greene in North Carolina forced British General Cornwallis to march into Virginia did an opportunity open for Washington to achieve military victory he had hoped for the start of that year.

I saw that the significance of the British surrender at Yorktown was never fully appreciated by contemporaries. For another couple of years, Washington continued his efforts to keep the Continental Army intact..... ready to fight if necessary.

The peace talks between the British and American diplomats got underway ....and by 1782....American negotiators John Jay, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin were key leaders in those difficult negotiations--- without French interference. The Preliminary Articles of Peace was signed on November 30, 1782.
Until the peace treaty was signed, the United States was still technically at war.

I learned the greatest danger to the Revolution was the officers in the Continental Army. They were fed up with Congress regarding their pay. Officers encamped at Newburgh, New York. Washington diffused the threat by his 'personal' prestige and by continuing to lobby Congress in behalf of his officers.

So....George Washington chose not to be 'King'. He felt he risked too many men's lives while fighting for independence-- he returned the power to the people and representatives they elected. He wanted a free, democratic and United country.

Maybe???? OUR PRESENT PRESIDENT WOULD TAKE A LESSON...... shhhh ( you didn't hear me say that), lol

One book leads to another ... a little knowledge opens the door to want to know more.....I have a lifetime on ongoing study of U.S History and our past Presidents.... ( and their 'wives)
SO FAR: Two of the wives have been 'shorties' like me. I just may start keeping statistics on the 'height' of each Presidents past wife - for fun! Short women just may have value and rock-and-roll our world after all!!!!! :)

GREAT LITTLE FREEBIE FINE! As Mikey says, "I like it"

4.5 stars! ....


*This review was written at 3am... from the Shattuck Hotel in Berkeley. Book Festival weekend!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Revolutionary War comes alive in new ways under the pen of John Ripin Miller in this interesting piece that shows a new and interesting side of George Washington. Told from the perspective of Josiah Penn Stockbridge, the intensity of the Continental Army’s clash with the British hit home for many, none more than Commanding General Washington. Charged with being his closest aide, Stockbridge tells the reader not only about the numerous moments that led to the informal surrender of the British, but the goings-on soon thereafter. Newburgh, New York is the setting and the army is about ready to give-up. An anonymous letter arrives, addressed to General Washington. In it, there is discussion of revolt against the Continental Congress, who have not paid the troops. Over the week during which the book takes place, Stockbridge explores how Washington will react to this—and further anonymous letters—leading up to Washington’s formal address to his men. Might he try to convince them to deny their ire and let Congress lead this new country, freed from the shackles of British control, or will he stand alongside them and rise as the leader of the revolt, serving alone and with all power concentrated in his mighty word? Washington has a great deal riding on this decision and a country waiting to be shaped. Miller does an exceptional job here, pushing the limits of fact and fiction, to create this wonderfully detailed story that will leave the reader with a new respect for General George Washington. Perfect for US History fans who want a thought-provoking piece to keep them debating for the foreseeable future.

I admit that when I saw the title of the book, I was sure that it would be a strongly argued piece about the regal possibilities of the first US president. While I was soon to discover it was a piece of fiction, I was blessed to know that the narrative was seeped in historical fact. Miller pushes the envelope here, entertaining and educating in equal measure. Josiah Penn Stockbridge is an interesting character, particularly as he holds the entire narrative in his able hands. A pacifist by religious conviction, Stockbridge shows the reader the inside view of working alongside Washington, as well as some of his weaknesses, both familial and collegial. Stockbridge weaves quite the tale and allows the reader an insight into the struggles felt by the man who would run these newly joined thirteen colonies, but never does he turn Washington into an outright deity. Washington’s presence is felt throughout the piece, though through the lens of Stockbridge, forcing the reader to parse through the laudatory sentiments to see a man—a mortal—who had the world looking on him an a massive army on the brink of disaster. Even after the British laid down their arms, the battle raged on, within the American camp. Seeping in actual fact, much of the story surrounds these letter that become the cornerstone of the plot. How will Washington react and synthesise this news and whose side is more grounded in what the man feels? Suspend what is known in the history books and look deeply into the choice that Washington had to make, then let the reader ponder, “what would I do?”. I enjoy alternate history and this one left me thinking, as it should any intrigued reader.

Kudos, Mr. Miller, for a piece that kept me wondering and hoping throughout. I am pleased to see you chose this topic and I hope you have more such books in you to keep the reader guessing.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Don Gerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your run-of-the-mill historical novel. While the story is based upon the events of the Revolutionary War, much of the action is a retelling of history through the eyes of Washington’s aide, Josiah (who is a compilation of all the aides assigned to Washington during the war). Thus the book takes on more of the feel one might experience when reading Bruce Catton or Thomas Fleming. This is history in an entertaining form.

Undoubtedly, there might be some who will state that the portrayal of Washington is a product of hero worship, though I would argue against that. While author John Ripen Miller does indicate the possibility that Washington might have had more of a hand in many of the decisions that have been assigned to others, he merely hints at the possibility that Washington may have influenced those decisions. If this was true of Washington, this is nothing more than what great and learned men have done throughout the centuries, allowing others to reap the glory if the decisions were instrumental in achieving the end goal. This is the mark of a strong leader. You certainly have to consider that an author who would spend enough time to ensure that his writing style and tone were consistent (which it is) would also spend at least as much time on ensuring that the story was based upon facts.

While I am not an expert on Washington lore, I found much of the book to fit within the framework of what I knew about Washington, both in acts and character. The fact that Josiah is relating the story sixty years after the Revolutionary War allows the author to focus on the Newburgh Conspiracy while filling the pages with flashbacks on what occurred previous to that week. Mr. Miller has taken a moment in history and turned it into a historical novel that informs as well as entertains. At the very least, he gives us some thoughts to contemplate, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history, especially when it is mixed with the flavor of a good story. Five stars.

[Sarah (Presto agitato) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel takes place during the events of the Newburgh Conspiracy, a lesser known event in American history. In 1783, during the waning days of the Revolutionary War, before a treaty had been signed but after most fighting was over, a group of American officers plotted what would have amounted to a military coup to convince Congress to pay them. A crisis was averted when George Washington intervened with the officers and persuaded them to adopt a more moderate approach.

This story had promise. The history of these events is a little murky, but there is no doubt that American history would have taken a decidedly different turn if Washington had assumed power backed by the army, especially when the affairs of the country were in such a tenuous state. The mood of the army was such that he probably could have done so. There is certainly material here for a novelist to explore.

Unfortunately, this book never really embraces the opportunity that fiction gives to explore events in more detail and imagine why the people involved did what they did. It is narrated by a fictional aide-de-camp of Washington’s who has been with him throughout the war. He tells the story decades afterwards. In the course of discussing the conspiracy, he also gives an account of the war leading up to that point. He relates almost everything from a passive perspective, even events he was supposedly present for. The phrases “I was told” and “I have since learned” appear over and over, with the narrator serving as a framing device to relate the history, but rarely anything more.

All of this amounts to a verbose recitation of material that would be more at home in a nonfiction history book. There is almost no dialogue. It is just continuous “As you know, Bob” from beginning to end, with a protagonist who never really takes shape. While he is ostensibly an eyewitness, the narrator presents everything as hearsay. It’s as if the author were afraid to fully commit to an interpretation of events, both factually and emotionally. In nonfiction, this approach can be useful, if dry, but in a novel it just makes for wordiness without eloquence.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

I generally enjoy history, historical fiction, biography, etc. but the writing style here just didn't appeal to me. Josiah Penn Stockbridge was an aide-de-camp to George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Stockbridge is a composite of Washington's many aides during the war. The book opens in 1843 with Stockbridge reflecting back on his days as Washington's aide and in particular events that took place during one week in March, 1783. His great-grandchildren are about to study Washington and want to come over and ask him questions about the General. Josiah reflects back on an event that took place during the week of March 10, 1783 and center around anonymous letters that were circulated in the army camp at Newburgh, New York. The letter suggested that the army should take unspecified action against Congress to resolve the issue of pay that was in arrears and a lack of funding for promised pensions. A mutiny. The Newburgh Conspiracy was only one of several attempted mutinies that took place during the Revolutionary War. I have read often of the soldiers who were not paid and lacked basics like clothing and food but I had not realized that Washington had to deal with mutinies too. The week showed what a great leader Washington was. He never sought power. He was able to stop the Newburgh Conspiracy because he was a leader and his actions that momentous week likely saved the colonies from losing the war for American independence.

[Hillary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually, I'm not finished. But I've decided to quit. This was a Kindle first book for June and I thought I'd give it a try.

It's just not my cup of tea. I like historical fiction, but this reads more like a term paper albeit with a fictional narrator. Where's the plot? Where's the character development? Why does Josiah speak like a modern day guy? His language clashes from with the texts from the day and it's kind of jarring.

I did enjoy the little notes about life in 18th century America. There was some good stuff about Washington and who he was as a man. But it was presented in a fairly dry way, rather than through anecdotes and stories. As for the other characters, they were also explained with what would be more formal, academic language rather than allowing us, the readers, to get to know them personally. Even Josiah--at least through the first 23%--is a bit of a cipher. We know he's a Quaker, he has great respect for Washington, and war scares him. That's about it.

Perhaps others will enjoy this book. As for me, I'm on to something else.

[Lewis Weinstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book remarkable and vibrant in some aspects and disappointing in others. The central story concerning Washington's response to a potential mutiny (against Congress, not him) in 1783 (after Yorktown) was interesting but not well portrayed and in the end not at all dramatic. Many other scenes, going back in time to cover major points in Washington's history, were brilliant and moving, although some seemed overlong. Overall, it was well worth reading.

The relevance of this book, and Washington, to the fiasco of Donald Trump unraveling our government cannot be ignored. Washington was everything we needed, then and now. Trump is a disaster, and a real test of whether the Constitutional government largely invented and initially managed by Washington can survive. Trump wants to be a dictator, the specific role that Washington could have had but rejected. Read this book, and then resolve to do your part in ridding America of the plague infecting the White House.

[Marietta Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Miller's first novel. I'm giving it 5 stars because of the accuracy of the book. While a novel, it still reads in places like a history book. I didn't mind that, but others might.

Setting is one week in March, 1783 known as the Newburgh Conspiracy. Although it is an entire week of Washington's life, Miller sheds light on other events of the Revolutionary War. While Washington wanted praise and loyalty from men, he did not want to be king. Some were chanting exchanging one George (king of England) for another George, but luckily Washington did not want that.

This novel which is well documented takes the reader inside the War. It is written in the first person, Josiah, who in reality is a composite of 32 of Washington's closest aids.

[Bob Cooling · Rating 4 out of 5]

King George Washington?!?

This novel, regarding an opportunity for our first elected President, prior to ascending to that high office, had opportunity and righteous justification to name himself king of the United States. Thankfully, he declined that opportunity and enabled the new nation of the United States to be free of the tyranny that was the standard for Europe in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. A "must read" for anyone wanting to have a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of our first and perhaps greatest president, George Washington.

[Brian Bigelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book on an interesting bit of history. One of my ancestors was actually part of one of mutinies mentioned later. I never knew it until I did some very in depth genealogy research.
Yes, things could have gone a different way pretty easily.
Great read!

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! An interesting take on a lesser known event in American history from Washington’s aid Jessiah. Gives a little peek into what kind of man Washington was in his prime outside the famous portraits usually depicted in his elder age which is how we think of him today. Note that the actual book is really just the first half of this book. The second half is reference and letters from various resources to help create the fictional novel.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t understand why the epilogue and appendix were longer than the actual book itself. I felt like he should have just written a non-fiction account of the events instead of a story and then explain how the story was accurate. Still an interesting subject so for that it was 3 stars.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is primarily well-researched history, with the use of a fictional aide to General George Washington during the Revolutionary War to carry the story. The climactic event is a threatened mutiny at Newburgh, New York. Many highly respected leaders had begged GW to take power and straighten out all the political nonsense of the Congress. The author's thesis is that GW had to have been tempted to become King, but resisted the temptation and inspired the troops with his own love of freedom and integrity. It's an interesting bit of history we and our children have never learned in school.

[Lori Greenlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book sparked my interest . It had some dry moments but the point of view it was told was from one of Washington's aids . It was a fictional aid. It backed up from other research . Washington was a man that could have easily been made King... but he was also a man that wanted for a simplistic life . He was a paradox

[Natalie Shockley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

I did not know the story that this book told. It is a very easy read. I had finished it before I realized it. Note, the actually book is only 1\2 of the book. The last half is pictures and copies of actual documents that the author used. If you enjoy reading history, this book is for you.

[Cayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very informative book. However, take your time to read it. It's a LOT to take in! I always thought of Washington as a "great President" simply because the school textbooks implied so. I still believe he was a great President, but I think this book makes him more human. Through the eyes of his aides, we are able to see Washington as "The General" and Washington as a man.

General Washington tried very hard to get Congress to pay attention to the needs of his troops. In my opinion, Congress did not take this very seriously. I like to think that if they had given adequate food, clothing, medicine, and shoes to their own soldiers, it would have improved morale and fewer troops would have perished from disease and harsh winter conditions. But now I guess we'll never know!

[Karol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of facts, but I found myself tiring of it after a few chapters. Still, I gleaned some insights about our first president and his military leadership style.

[Eleon397 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone interested in learning more about George Washington and about the revolutionary war will find this a very readable yet factually based novel about the General and the war.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Leaves nothing to the reader

The story is told by Washington's fictional aide, Josiah, who conveniently has access to all GW's correspondence. Josiah relates the story as a recollection and uses frequent references to what he will get to later to foreshadow events. The two literary techniques are too transparent and get in the way of the story. Much effort was made to present the time period in a politically correct manner. The presentation is didactic and nothing is left to the reader to decide regarding characters or their motivations. Josiah does it all for us. Ultimately, the result is a simplistic tutorial.

[Mandy Carey · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you know anything about Washington more than a cursory summary of his life, this book will all be old hat to you. It’s merely a collection of quotes from his contemporaries reimagined if told from those people to an imaginary aide de camp who serves as your guide through Washington’s life, in a non linear path.

There is so much repetition, which I assume is filler for length, repeating quotes again and again from the same people and recounting the same event numerous times because of the jumping back and forth. Everything is loosely tied together with what is the pretend plot central to the story (there’s no real plot because it’s not really a story so much as a biography) The Newburgh Conspiracy.

If you wanted an actual historical fiction that is a story this is not for you.

If you are however wishing you had a great great x 8 grandfather who was alive for the revolution and served under Washington and also somehow met every luminary of the age who talked a lot to him about Washington that could tell you these stories in the rambling fantastical hyperbolic manner of an aging man forgetting where he left off at a second ago, this is the book for you.

Would be fine as lightly written bio but as a novel it doesn’t cut it.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting topic, but it reads like a novel that really wanted to be nonfiction. Lots of notes included, which makes me wonder why the author did not simply write a nonfiction account of events instead of telling it through the eyes of a fictional tag-along.

[Arthur O'dell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, let me get the big problem out of the way before I describe what this book does well (and it does a lot well). But the big problem is why I knocked it down to three stars.

The big problem is this: the book is NOT an historical novel. It is a narrative history written using the device of a fictional narrator. It is a great example of the latter, and a terrible example of the former.

Apoarently the publishers, the editors, and the author assumed that since a fictional narrator was being used, the book needed to be marketed as a novel of historical fiction, even though NOTHING else that makes a novel a novel (or anything else that counts as fiction for that matter) is used. There is no character development, no "plot" in a literary sense, nor even a sustained attempt at versimilitude in setting, description, style, or language.

What we DO have, is a solidly written, well-researched narrative history of the events at Newburgh during the week of March 9-15, 1783. Forty percent of the book is devoted to the historical notes and primary sources the author used in crafting his narrative. As an introductory popular-level narrative history, it's a great introduction to Washington and to a crucial period in our nation's formation that often doesn't get the attention it deserves.

If you read this expecting a history book, you'll be fine. If you read this expecting historical fiction, you'll be disappointed.

[Eric Mesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for free as part of the Kindle First Reads program

I like to geek out on many things and one of those is history. Thanks to books like 1776 I already knew that it was only through a series of coincidences and good luck paired with General Washington's leadership that we won against the British. But I had no idea just how many mutinies there were or even that there was a week (the subject of this book) where things could have gone in a very different direction.

The book is very well written and, as stated in the introduction, what's fictional about it is our point of view character, Josiah. He's a composite character of George Washington's many aides throughout the war. This allows for a coherent evolution of thought throughout the war vs what the author would have otherwise have had to do (switch us from aide to aide throughout the war). Otherwise, everything in the book is true and comes from various letters and dairies written by the principle characters involved.

As long as you don't mind epistolary fiction, I think it's a great read about a very pivotal time in our (American) history that you've probably never heard anything about.

[Julie Volstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great way to learn more about George Washington. I enjoyed learning the not-so-well known facts about him that the average reader would not know unless they enjoy heady biographies. And I loved that the author at the end identifies the truth from fiction and where it comes from so the reader can continue their pursuit of information regarding GW.

[Shelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read in ages!

Was on the fence about reading this book as I'm not truly a history buff. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was drawn into the the story and have recommended it to many friends and family.

[Laura Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

reads like a history book.

[Lisa Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best written book I have ever read but an interesting re-telling of an important event in the founding of our country and Gen George Washington.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

Information was direct and the narration at a decent speed. I liked that it center around Newburgh but gave information regarding Yorktown and New York

[Esther Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting testament to our first President. I actually learned a few things from this book! Enjoyed it enough that I will end up re-reading in the future

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring

I'm a Revolutionary War reenactor in my spare time, and I'm usually pretty cautious about historical fiction set in that era. However, the author has a solid grasp of the history, and the narrative is absorbing. Told as a retrospective from 1843, the tone seems a little too modern in some places, but for the most part this is hard to put down. The story itself needs little embellishment, and the author did a good job presenting it.