In this in-depth biography, Ron Chernow seemingly leaves no stone unturned as he presents the breadth of George Washington’s event-filled life. The story he tells scrubs away the myths surrounding the man to reveal the fallible figure hidden beneath History’s veneer. Chernow follows Washington’s footsteps through his adventurous early years while assisting the British in their battles against the French, his experiences of leading the Continental Army, his presiding over the Constitutional Convention, and finally his tumultuous eight years as America’s first President.
As this biography shows, Washington had more than his fair share of flaws. He craved money, status, and fame. In his personal life he remained tightfisted, engaged in questionable land speculation, and was a hard-driving slave master. And yet he also learned to master his strong passions and ambitions to spend most of his adult life in the service of his country, often at a great cost to his own pocketbook. Even more importantly, he evolved into a statesman with the necessary skills to steer a fledgling country toward its future greatness.
While he was not a particularly gifted general, he possessed a charismatic personality that drew the support and devotion of the soldiers he led. Washington was a born leader, which explains why he was the only President to be unanimously voted into office by Congress. Being a slave holder is certainly a red mark against him. However, over time, he did begin to question the legitimacy of the practice. Unlike Thomas Jefferson, upon his death George Washington freed his slaves. This was not a common practice at the time.
For those who think that politics in this country today are virulent compared to the past, reading Chernow’s description of Washington’s eight years as President is eye opening. The battle between the Federalists and the Republicans was a knock-down, no-holds-barred fight in which “fake news” and personal attacks played a prominent role. At the start of his Administration, Washington tried to favor neither party, but over time he began to support the concept of a strong central government as opposed to the preeminence of states’ rights. In this effort he was assisted by one of the leading Federalists, his Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton.
Chernow is a master biographer, and this work on George Washington will appeal to lay readers and students alike. For those wanting a better understanding of our country’s birth and infancy, I suggest they begin with this book, then follow it with Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton. Together they provide an avenue to comprehend the passions and ideals of the time. The author’s descriptive prose brings these two leading “Founding Fathers” to life, peeling away the myths and gloss to show the flesh and blood beneath.
Robert Up At Dawn 