Structure

George Washington's Secret Six is divided into 18 chapters of approximately equal length. Each chapter is numbered and named, and most are divided by a handful of subheadings. There is also a Preface that describes the background for the book. Since this is a work of nonfiction concerning events that took place more than 200 years ago, most of it consists of expository text. However, in a few cases, the authors take the liberty of creating dialogue between two characters, which they admit is purely fictional but they say it is based upon letters and other papers written by the subjects. While the book's primary purpose is to describe the events surrounding the activities of the Culper spy ring, the authors take the opportunity to expound on other items of interest such as the lifestyle in Manhattan and on Long Island at that time and the complicated life of...