rebeccatc's review against another edition
4.0
A very readable biography of one of the most influential historical figures of all time. I wouldn't call it a comprehensive biography because it did not cover his early life and very little of his domestic and personal life -- for that, see The General and Mrs. Washington by Bruce Chadwick. Instead, it was concise and highly analytical, examining Washington's actions in light of their historical significance. Washington held the Continental Army together through 8 years of war in a way that it is unlikely anyone else could have done at the time, and then acted as the unifying presence needed to establish nationhood by chairing the Constitutional Convention and serving as the first President. What made Washington truly great however was what he didn't do: he refused to become a miliitary dictator when he very easily could have at the end of the Revolution (as Napoleon did not long afterwards) and refused to serve a 3rd term as President when many feared the office would become an American monarchy. Definitely recommended to anyone who is interested in American history or the history of the 18th century.
lakecake's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. I think I'm ruined for short biographies. This was a good look at Washington's life, but was so short that it mostly glossed over much of the important things in his life. Part of that may have been because so much of Washington's personal correspondence has been lost, so actually trying to figure out what he was thinking or planning isn't really possible without speculating. I respect immensely the fact that Ellis doesn't waste a lot of time on speculation, because I just don't find that to be the point of biography. I don't want to know what the author *thinks* of the person, I want research to tell me what the subject's contemporaries thought. So this work does a good job of that. But I think I need a chunkier more comprehensive biography to really make me happy.
the_weirdling's review against another edition
5.0
Totally changed the way I thought about George Washington.
wwatts1734's review against another edition
3.0
There are hundreds of volumes of biographies written about the Father of our Country, George Washington. This one was a highly touted volume, and I have to say that I was a bit disappointed with it. Perhaps this was due to the fact that this was a short volume that didn't go into tremendous details about the specifics of his life. I have seen biographies of Washington that have run into multi-volumes and thousands of pages in length, so Ellis's book which runs only about 300 pages would provide only a small amount of what these other works would provide. Ellis provides lots of interesting factoids about Washington. He talks about how Washington was a member of the colonial gentry of Virginia that was caught in the economic pincers of the British mercantile system, whereby he sold his crops to British agents at a discount and then bought imported goods from these same agents at a premium. Anyone who was caught in this money grab would certainly want to get out from under it. Ellis also talks about Washington's progressive attitudes toward slavery and blacks. He noted that Washington refused to sell slaves in such a way as to break up families at Mount Vernon, nor did he sell off unproductive slaves, with the result being that he fed and provided for a population of slaves of whom less than half were able to provide work for him. Ellis describes in detail Washington's struggles as commander of the Continental Army and the miracle of winning the war. Ellis also talks about Washington's administration as the first President of the Republic, whereby he kept together an administration that held such conflicting and brilliant individuals as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. All of this was interesting and well presented.
What bothered me about this biography was that it failed to capture the essence of Washington. A good biography does not just present factoids and cocktail party data about a person, it leaves the reader with the feeling that he actually knows the subject. After reading this biography I really didn't feel as though I knew Washington. Here is a very complex man who lived in complex times, and this book did not really give me that feeling.
Nonetheless, this is a well written biography and I would recommend it to people who are interested in George Washington.
What bothered me about this biography was that it failed to capture the essence of Washington. A good biography does not just present factoids and cocktail party data about a person, it leaves the reader with the feeling that he actually knows the subject. After reading this biography I really didn't feel as though I knew Washington. Here is a very complex man who lived in complex times, and this book did not really give me that feeling.
Nonetheless, this is a well written biography and I would recommend it to people who are interested in George Washington.
kellyldriver's review against another edition
2.0
This most recent Presidential Election really got me excited about politics and our electoral system here in the United States.
After Barack Obama won the Presidency in November I was so excited and eager to learn more about this country’s past Presidents. I thought I would begin with the very first one, the father of our country, George Washington.
I did a search for the best Presidential biographies and I was given an extensive list. I went to the library to get my Washington biography and found that it was only about 100 pages. I thought that there was no way I would be able to learn about him in only 100 pages so I grabbed the book next to it, His Excellency by Joseph J. Ellis.
Andy Boynton of Amazon.com said, “As commander of the Continental army, George Washington united the American colonies, defeated the British army, and became the world's most famous man. But how much do Americans really know about their first president? Today, as Pulitzer Prize-winner Joseph J. Ellis says in this crackling biography, Americans see their first president on dollar bills, quarters, and Mount Rushmore, but only as "an icon--distant, cold, intimidating." In truth, Washington was a deeply emotional man, but one who prized and practiced self-control (an attribute reinforced during his years on the battlefield).
Washington first gained recognition as a 21-year-old emissary for the governor of Virginia, braving savage conditions to confront encroaching French forces. As the de facto leader of the American Revolution, he not only won the country's independence, but helped shape its political personality and "topple the monarchical and aristocratic dynasties of the Old World." When the Congress unanimously elected him president, Washington accepted reluctantly, driven by his belief that the union's very viability depended on a powerful central government. In fact, keeping the country together in the face of regional allegiances and the rise of political parties may be his greatest presidential achievement.”
Since the book was based on Washington's personal letters and papers, His Excellency, to me, was like reading a somewhat entertaining textbook. There wasn’t much insight into the personal side of the man since most of his personal correspondence was destroyed by his wife, Martha, after his death.
If you are interested in learning more about the facts of Washington’s life and a very brief explanation of how this country’s government was set up this would be a good book to read.
After Barack Obama won the Presidency in November I was so excited and eager to learn more about this country’s past Presidents. I thought I would begin with the very first one, the father of our country, George Washington.
I did a search for the best Presidential biographies and I was given an extensive list. I went to the library to get my Washington biography and found that it was only about 100 pages. I thought that there was no way I would be able to learn about him in only 100 pages so I grabbed the book next to it, His Excellency by Joseph J. Ellis.
Andy Boynton of Amazon.com said, “As commander of the Continental army, George Washington united the American colonies, defeated the British army, and became the world's most famous man. But how much do Americans really know about their first president? Today, as Pulitzer Prize-winner Joseph J. Ellis says in this crackling biography, Americans see their first president on dollar bills, quarters, and Mount Rushmore, but only as "an icon--distant, cold, intimidating." In truth, Washington was a deeply emotional man, but one who prized and practiced self-control (an attribute reinforced during his years on the battlefield).
Washington first gained recognition as a 21-year-old emissary for the governor of Virginia, braving savage conditions to confront encroaching French forces. As the de facto leader of the American Revolution, he not only won the country's independence, but helped shape its political personality and "topple the monarchical and aristocratic dynasties of the Old World." When the Congress unanimously elected him president, Washington accepted reluctantly, driven by his belief that the union's very viability depended on a powerful central government. In fact, keeping the country together in the face of regional allegiances and the rise of political parties may be his greatest presidential achievement.”
Since the book was based on Washington's personal letters and papers, His Excellency, to me, was like reading a somewhat entertaining textbook. There wasn’t much insight into the personal side of the man since most of his personal correspondence was destroyed by his wife, Martha, after his death.
If you are interested in learning more about the facts of Washington’s life and a very brief explanation of how this country’s government was set up this would be a good book to read.
sarful's review against another edition
4.0
I love how much this author brings history to life, showing the founders as people, flawed and all. Why did everyone agree that Washington was the only symbol of America, despite differing ideals? And that’s exactly what Ellis answers, as well as he can.
I will say because of its brevity, much was glossed over, especially with the minutiae of the machinations of daily presidential life and his cabinet. On Native American affairs. Etc. But, it’s still great.
This book is so fascinating on who the legend of Washington really was. A great man, flaws and all.
I will say because of its brevity, much was glossed over, especially with the minutiae of the machinations of daily presidential life and his cabinet. On Native American affairs. Etc. But, it’s still great.
This book is so fascinating on who the legend of Washington really was. A great man, flaws and all.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
4.0
I really like Ellis as a historian and biographer. He does a good job of exploring Washington as a person without making a lot of unfounded assumptions. I think I'd really like George Washington as a person. He was moral and ambitious, but most of all, practical.
The following two statements from the biography really encapsulate who Washington was:
"Ideals were not irrelevant to Washington, but he was deeply suspicious of any idealistic agenda that floated above the realities of power on the ground."
"Ultimately, his life was all about power: facing it, taming it, channeling it, projecting it. His remarkable reliable judgment derived from his elemental understanding of how power worked in the world."
The following two statements from the biography really encapsulate who Washington was:
"Ideals were not irrelevant to Washington, but he was deeply suspicious of any idealistic agenda that floated above the realities of power on the ground."
"Ultimately, his life was all about power: facing it, taming it, channeling it, projecting it. His remarkable reliable judgment derived from his elemental understanding of how power worked in the world."
grifen87's review against another edition
4.0
An insightful introduction to Washington the man and his journey in becoming a symbol and founder his country. I like how Ellis narrates the progression of Washington's personality and worldview which in turn determine how he conducts himself throughout future events and conflicts. Having read this, I plan to also read the more extensive biographies at some point.