Jean O’Connor’s second book, Congress’s Cryptographer, about her five times great-grandfather, James Lovell, is even more remarkable than the first book, Remarkable Cause. A sense of immediacy surrounding the efforts of Congress is palpable. The difficulties with slow communication, even slower travel, turnover in the delegate roster, and lack of funds give Congressmen much stress as they attempt to win the war. Diplomacy with the French, urgency of coded messaging, and the deception of Benedict Arnold make the reader wonder if the States will ever prevail, even though the outcome is known to us.
As a former resident of Philadelphia, I enjoyed the descriptions of boarding houses, taverns, parades, and the vibrancy of the city. To top it off, the protagonist, James Lovell, serves Congress for nearly five years without returning to Boston to see his family. His correspondence with Abigail Adams and John Adams and others helps flesh him out for the reader. Unfortunately, his letters to and from his wife and family were not preserved. They would have made delightful reading.
Anyone interested in the Revolutionary War, the machinations of any legislative body, or cryptography will find this a fascinating read. I highly recommend it.
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