I was prepared to dislike the book. What I suspected was that Mr. Stewart would present Washington as a canny careerist who failed upward—that is, who escaped accountability for his mistakes and rose to the top of Revolution-era political life by means of charm and guile. Again I was wrong. The book is nothing like that. Mr. Stewart has written an outstanding biography that both avoids hagiography and acknowledges the greatness of Washington’s character, all while paying close attention to his rarely voiced but no less fierce political ambitions. He does not flinch from the cruelty of American slavery and Washington’s part in it, but situates him in the time and place of his origins rather than in ours. Mr. Stewart’s writing is clear, often superlative, his judgments are nuanced, and the whole has a narrative drive such a life deserves.
In a masterfully drawn chapter, 'Biting the Hand,' Stewart details the drama (and theatrics) of that critical relationship [between Washington and his patron Gov. Robert Dinwiddie]. His extensive coverage of Washington’s early professional experience is fitting, given the many documented lessons amassed from colonial-era relationships ... Following recent scholarship, the author underscores Washington’s complete acceptance of the institution of slavery ... The author straddles a line, uneasily granting a reprieve to one who made emancipation plans part of his final will ... Stewart’s recapitulation of the War for Independence and debates over the Constitution is unremarkable, and some of his speculations should raise eyebrows ... Is this book a corrective, remedying other scholars’ mistakes? No. Was this book necessary? No. Yet it is well-informed, intricate and straightforwardly told. While he gets carried away in places, Stewart uses an impressive range of sources, showing breadth and scholarly heft.
... examines in detail and with excellent analysis how Washington developed the political skills that would serve him during both war and peace ... What is particularly intriguing about this book is the attention the author pays to that crucial period of Washington’s life between 1759 and 1774 ... truly fresh look at one of the most chronicled figures in American history. Washington literally spent his entire life learning about politics and public service and his journey to becoming the irreplaceable man in America’s founding shows just how savvy he became in the often rough and tumble world of colonial politics. But in everything he did, he was always conscious of his duty to his fellow citizens and the greater public good, making him the eternal President to which all other presidents will inevitably be compared.
For some, Washington’s slaveholding disqualifies him from admiration. Stewart obviously doesn’t share that view, but neither does he let his subject off easy ... Stewart’s writing is reliably fluid and steady; the few repetitions, omissions, and errors stick out as novelties. And his clear command of the material often leads to interesting insights ... But Stewart strains at times to support his proposition...that Washington played the central role in almost every stage of America’s efforts to achieve independence and create a new government.
This book is a testament to the research that Stewart has done. So many factors affected Washington’s life and our history...and he does an excellent job of bringing these details into the narrative ... I couldn’t shake the feeling that this book is a bit of a missed opportunity—to articulate the improbability that one man, within a short period of time, could win a war against the most powerful empire on earth, relinquish that power, bring 13 disparate colonies together, stand as their first leader, and ensure the new nation’s survival. We search history in vain for another man to accomplish similar feats, and I think this warranted more of the book’s attention. Still, George Washington is a great tribute to this seminal figure in American history. Stewart’s attention to detail and consummate research make it a must read.
Stewart closes with an analysis of Washington’s ambivalent distaste for slavery and his posthumous freeing of his own enslaved workers. This is a readable and revealing contemporary look at an oft-studied personality. Includes illustrations and bibliography.
In this lively and admirable study, Stewart offers a balanced and thoughtfully well-written appreciation of George Washington’s life and leadership. A must for fans of biographies.
Historian and mystery writer Stewart (Madison’s Gift) delivers an insightful take on George Washington’s evolution as a politician. Painstaking accounts of episodes from Washington’s life before the American Revolution illustrate the flaws he struggled to overcome ... Stewart delves into Washington’s mixed record ... Stewart’s balanced portrait of Washington also includes uncomfortable details about his treatment of his slaves, whom he verbally abused and actively prevented from filing legal claims that might have led to their emancipation. Even readers well-versed in Washington’s life will learn something new from this meticulous look at how he became the 'paramount political figure' of his era.
... readers will enjoy the author’s insightful nuts-and-bolts account of his handling of the politics and infighting of local government ... In the author’s chapter on slavery, Washington emerges mostly unscathed—though it’s a low bar. Every slave-owning Founding Father deplored the institution and took no action, but only Washington freed his slaves in his will. All serious biographies emphasize Washington’s political genius, and Stewart, an experienced biographer as well as a good writer, accomplishes his goal. Another straightforward life of Washington, but a fine one.
