Washington: A Life Hardcover – Illustrated, 5 Oct. 2010

For a figure as ubiquitous and recognizable as George Washington, one may not initially feel the sufficient curiosity to read a 900 page biography of the Father of the Nation, however, such indifference would cause one to miss out on a truly scholarly treat.At 900 pages, Chernow stays on message and sticks to the point pretty much throughout, giving a complete portrait of the first President. All of Washington's life is covered, including family members, which reveals the crucial detail that Washington men had traditionally short life expectancy, his service in the French-Indian War, his early political career in the Virginia House of Burgesses, his leadership of the Continental Army, his seemingly reluctant Presidency, and finally, his long awaited but comparatively brief retirement.What the reader is gifted with is not just an incredibly detailed and well researched study of Washington, but also a first rate account of the American Revolution. Having read other books on this subject, most of which were by Joseph J Ellis, it can certainly be said that this is additionally an informative study of the American Revolution.Chernow provides a wholey objective and de-mythologized study of Washington, however, he does answer key questions as to why Washington attained such an apotheosis in both life and death, he led a ragtag, unprofessional army to a seemingly impossible victory against the greatest power of the day, he resigned his commission and threw away any pretensions of power returning to public service only through popular demand, and he exercised the office of the Presidency in a noble, non-partisan manner, which shaped the Presidency into the office that it is today.Washington was often called the American Cincinattus, and this biography clearly shows why, as Washington is frequently portrayed as a reluctant participant in the public square, reluctantly presiding over the Constitutional Convention and serving two terms as President.The main glitch on Washington's record, slavery, is shown largely in unfavorable light, presenting Washington as a half-hearted, would be abolitionist, full of empty rhetoric. Even toward the end of his life, he remained vigilant against escaped slaves, however, he did free his slaves in his will, something no other slave holding Founding Father did.A frequently recurring detail is Washington's teeth (or lack of) and his makeshift supply of dentures (no they were not wooden, as popular mythology would have us believe) and how his public speaking, often breathy and rather quiet, was not quite as heroic and imposing as the popular imagination would have us believe.Within this volume, Chernow goes against the somewhat fashionable intellectual tradition of portraying Washington as a Deist. Washington clearly comes across as a sincere and practicing Christian, although not as evangelical as some would like to believe. His invocation of the almighty is frequently tinged with hints of his Masonic background, speaking of the Great Architect or the author of all, however, there is little within this study that could reasonably put him in the Deist camp.Overall, this book is strongly recommended to enthusiasts of American History, or anyone wishing a better understanding of the founding period, or a better understanding of Washington himself. A scholarly, readable, and highly informative book.

Jesus, this book is a long read. I've had it for a few weeks and as a not-so-avid reader I've barely put a dent in it, but I can not recommend it more. It's incredible how much this book has pulled me in as an English person. The history is brilliantly presented in a genuinely interesting way, making you feel as if you aren't trapped back in high school history again and instead making it feel as if you're reading a story book. George Washington's life is so interesting and there are actually some genuinely funny moments, my favorite so far being;"According to legend, Washington attended the Fairfax County election and ended up in a heated exchange about George William with one William Payne, who favoured an opposing candidate. Their confrontation grew so angry that Payne struck Washington with a stick, knocking him to the ground. When Washington got to his feet, he had to be restrained from assaulting Payne."Now I don't know about you, but the idea of George Washington, first president of the United States of America, being hit to the ground with a stick of all things is the most entertaining thing I've read in a while. This isn't the kind of thing you'd find in your average dusty 20 volume biography, so don't for a second think that this is even on the same caliber. It's funny, it's witty and it's charming. There aren't enough good words about this book, so if you have any sort of interest in American history or the man himself, then I can safely say that this is a great place to start.Oh and there are pictures! ;)

Exceptional biography of an exceptional life. Clearly portrays the person behind the myth. Certainly not conventionally 'heroic', or the most gifted military leader but brave, wise and selfless.Washington's key gift to posterity was his refusal to turn the US presidency into a Monarchy (or rather himself into the King) that many excepted and would have welcomed. Prior to that it was his probably unique ability to hold together the under equipped and demoralised Continental army during terrible winters in awful conditions while Congress prevaricated and held back pay and equipment.Chernow's produced an epic work with all the detail anyone, short of an academic, could hope for. It rightfully won a Pulitzer.However, I have a couple of issues. The first is the tiresome adjectives applied to (mainly women), his mother was "shrewish", someone's wife was (pick from any number of words referring to her weight). Other than that we have the regular reference to how attractive or otherwise they appeared.The other problem is while he attempts to grapple with the issues of slavery it seems equivocal. It feels like the premise of owning other people is accepted, as opposed to simply describing context.This is always going to be an issue when writing about Washington, Jefferson and other owners of enslaved people. The question an author needs to answer is, would they write differently if they were imagining their own ancestors were the people being described, would this change their prose?Great piece of work, highly recommended (with caveats) but let's hope publishers can engage and promote a wider diversity of biographers - the stories of the past will become richer and more informative if we start to depart from not just hearing from the white, middle aged males (and I speak as one).

A+ 1 million stars for Ron Chernow’s efforts here. This book is well-researched, well-crafted, and well-written. And as long as this one is, it was actually quite engaging. At the same time, however, Chernow has a very obvious bias in favor of Washington, even in the face of the ugly parts of Washington's life. But I deeply respect Chernow for relating those ugly parts of Washington's life in an almost objective way rather than color over them. All around, a great biography, definitely one of the best I've read.

I never felt so immersed in a book. Well written.

Livro maravilhoso. Ainda assim, é muito longo mesmo e pode ser enfadonho para quem não se interessa muito pelo assunto. A história é sempre emocionante/instigante, pois George Washington teve uma vida marcada, primeiramente, pela Guerra de Independência e depois pela presidência, episódios nos quais foi protagonista. É uma importante lição para vida/carreira, ver como ele resolvia os problemas internos e externos do exército e da presidência. Além disso, o autor (grande biógrafo e escritor) traz um histórico bastante abrangente da vida de Washington, tratando também do período inicial (pouco conhecido), em que o general atuou como Frontiersman, trabalhando em expansões de terras para o Oeste. Enfim, uma leitura muito gratificante e que avança com facilidade, pois não é cansativa, mas que pode não ser ideal para quem tem pouco tempo ou disposição para ler.

This is a terrific biography of a one of kind man. Very well documented, there is nothing I could say against this book. The great man comes alive from the page and the writing is fluid and in spite of the hundreds of pages length, I was never bored. I like long books when they are good and this is one of them. I'll read Hamilton next by the same author.

El autor recolecta distintas fuentes y las consolida en una muy bien buena biografía. Cubre todos los aspectos de la vida de Washington.