George Washington : the founding father / Paul Johnson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Johnson, Paul, 1928-2023.

Series:

Eminent lives

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Washington, George, 1732-1799.

Washington, George.

United States. Continental Army.

Presidents--United States--Biography.

Presidents.

United States.

Generals--United States--Biography.

Generals.

United States. Continental Army--Biography.

United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783.

History.

United States--Politics and government--1789-1797.

Politics and government.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

126 pages ; 19 cm.

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : HarperCollins Publishers, [2005]

Summary:

George Washington is by far the most important figure in the history of the United States. Against all military odds, he liberated the thirteen colonies from the superior forces of the British Empire and presided over the process to produce and ratify a Constitution that (suitably amended) has lasted for more than two hundred years. In two terms as president, he set that Constitution to work with such success that, by the time he finally retired, America was well on its way to becoming the richest and most powerful nation on earth.

Despite his importance, Washington remains today a distant figure to many Americans. Previous books about him are immensely long, multivolume, and complicated. Paul Johnson has now produced a brief life that presents a vivid portrait of the great man as young warrior, masterly commander-in-chief, patient Constitution maker, and exceptionally wise president. He also shows Washington as a farmer of unusual skill and an entrepreneur of foresight, patriarch of an extended family, and proprietor of one of the most beautiful homes in America, which he largely built and adorned.

Trenchant and original as ever, Johnson has given us a brilliant, sharply etched portrait of this iconic figure-both as a hero and as a man.

Contents:

Chapter 1 A Young Gentleman's Youth in Virginia 1

Chapter 2 A Gallant Young Colonel and His Rich Wife 23

Chapter 3 Slaveowner, Agricultural Pioneer, Builder 37

Chapter 4 Commander in Chief and Victor 51

Chapter 5 Creating a Nation: Theory 79

Chapter 6 Creating a Nation: Practice 91

Chapter 7 Last Years 117.

Notes:

"Atlas books"

Includes bibliographical references (pages 125-126).

ISBN:

006075365X

OCLC:

56413248