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Summary
Summary
Perhaps the most revered American of all, George Washington has long been considered a stoic leader who held himself above the fray of political infighting. What has gone unnoticed about the much-researched life of Washington is that he was in fact a consummate politician, as historian John Ferling shows in this revealing and provocative new book. As leader of the Continental Army, Washington's keen political savvy enabled him not only to outwit superior British forces, but--even more challenging--to manage the fractious and intrusive Continental Congress. Despite dire setbacks early in the war, Washington deftly outmaneuvered rival generals and defused dissent from officers below him, ending the war with the status of a national icon. His carefully burnished reputation allowed Washington, as president, to lead the country under the guise of non-partisanship for almost all of his eight years in office. Washington, Ferling argues, was not only one of America's most adroit politicians, he was easily the most successful of all time--so successful, in fact, that he is no longer thought of as having been political.
Author Notes
John Ferling is Professor Emeritus of History at the State University of West Georgia. A leading authority on American Revolutionary history, he has appeared in many documentaries and has written numerous books, including Almost a Miracle: The American Victory in the War for Independence , Adams vs. Jefferson: The Tumultuous Election of 1800 , The First of Men: A Life of George Washington , Setting the World Ablaze: Washington, Adams, and Jefferson in the American Revolution , and the award-winning A Leap in the Dark: The Struggle to Create the American Republic .
Reviews (1)
Library Journal Review
Ferling (history, emeritus, Univ. of West Georgia; Almost a Miracle) attempts to shed new light on the myth that George Washington was above partisan politics, instead showing that Washington was not only very partisan but probably one of America's best politicians. In fact, Ferling argues, he was so skilled at portraying himself as the impartial "father of the country" that most historians have overlooked his political savvy. Ferling seeks to remedy the situation with this "political biography." He traces Washington's evolution from a self-serving and insecure young man driven by a quest for recognition and wealth into a seasoned political veteran who could maneuver, cajole, and cut backroom deals as adroitly as any modern politician. One example is his handling of the Hamilton-Jefferson battles over the country's economic structure. Although Washington showed sympathy toward both sides and urged conciliation, it becomes clear by studying his behavior and writings at the time that he supported Hamilton's vision of a strong central government. Ferling has done his research and offers some new insights, but ultimately most of the history he presents is familiar. Recommended for readers interested in taking a fresh look at Washington's political life.-Robert Flatley, Kutztown Univ., PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Table of Contents
| Preface | p. xvii |
| Introduction: The Founding Father Who Wielded Power Without Ambition | p. 1 |
| Part 1 Rise from Obscurity | |
| 1 Soldier for Virginia: An Introduction to Politics | p. 9 |
| 2 The Burgess: George Washington, Virginia Politician | p. 46 |
| Part 2 American Hero | |
| 3 The Crucial First Year: Boston, 1775-1776 | p. 83 |
| 4 The War in 1776-1777: In the Depths of Despair | p. 104 |
| 5 The Untouchable: General Washington's Great Crisis | p. 140 |
| 6 Victory and Glory | p. 182 |
| Part 3 First in the Hearts of His Countrymen | |
| 7 Washington and the Politics of Intrigue: To the End of the War | p. 221 |
| 8 Soaring to the Pinnacle | p. 245 |
| 9 President of the United States: The First Term, 1789-1792 | p. 278 |
| 10 Endless Crises: Washington's Second Term, 1793-1797 | p. 308 |
| 11 The Sand Runs Out | p. 351 |
| Reckoning | p. 367 |
| Select Bibliography | p. 375 |
| Abbreviations | p. 379 |
| Notes | p. 383 |
| Index | p. 425 |
| Maps | |
| Washington's Virginia and Western Country | p. ix |
| Boston and Vicinity | p. x |
| New York and Connecticut | p. xi |
| Manhattan Island to Harlem Heights | p. xii |
| Washington's Retreat Across New Jersey | p. xiii |
| New Jersey and Pennsylvania | p. xiv |
| Siege of Yorktown | p. xv |