From the author of Alexander Hamilton, the New York Times bestselling biography that inspired the musical, comes a gripping portrait of the first president of the United States.Winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Biography“Truly magnificent . . . [a] well-researched, well-written and absolutely definitive biography” —Andrew Roberts, The Wall Street Journal“Until recently, I’d never believed … Street Journal
“Until recently, I’d never believed that there could be such a thing as a truly gripping biography of George Washington . . . Well, I was wrong. I can’t recommend it highly enough—as history, as epic, and, not least, as entertainment.” —Hendrik Hertzberg, The New Yorker
Celebrated biographer Ron Chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation and the first president of the United States. With a breadth and depth matched by no other one volume biography of George Washington, this crisply paced narrative carries the reader through his adventurous early years, his heroic exploits with the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, his presiding over the Constitutional Convention, and his magnificent performance as America’s first president. In this groundbreaking work, based on massive research, Chernow shatters forever the stereotype of George Washington as a stolid, unemotional figure and brings to vivid life a dashing, passionate man of fiery opinions and many moods.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash Broadway musical Hamilton has sparked new interest in the Revolutionary War and the Founding Fathers. In addition to Alexander Hamilton, the production also features George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Aaron Burr, Lafayette, and many more.
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Having read several books on several presidents over the last few years, I decided to go about it a little more systematically and read one on every president, starting with the first one. I am so glad I picked this biography on Washington because it was one of my favorite books I read all year.
The book is long, but that means it is comprehensive. It covers every detail of Washington’s life. While it is long, the book is made up of small chapters devoted to certain events or themes, which make the whole story more manageable. I love Ron Chernow’s writing style, and I can’t wait to get started with his book on Alexander Hamilton. I ended up with a very positive image of Washington when I finished this book, and while I learned a lot about him, I also learned a lot about the American Revolution and the times he lived in.
This book has lots of details about Washington that most readers may not know. Chernow does incredible research, as always. History lovers will eat it up and casual readers will find much to keep them interested.
If you’ve ever picked up one of Mr. Chernow’s books, you understand that the author is expecting you to make a real investment in his work. His pen is indeed prolific, and I fear that the sheer size of a book like this frightens off some readers, which is real tragedy. Although it may be surprising to some, Washington, A Life unfolds more like a daring work of fiction than an in-depth biography of one of history’s most celebrated individuals. Mr. Chernow is able to infuse Washington with the traits that he has so often lacked in the past: warmth, human frailties and insecurities, a sometimes volatile temper and, perhaps most importantly of all, a deep and abiding appreciation for those who loved liberty as much as he. This book made Washington more human than any I have ever read, and it made me appreciate Washington more than ever before. Mr. Chernow takes the sometimes two-dimensional legend of Washington and transforms him into a vivid, thrilling and very human man that I can actually see myself visiting with over a good cup of coffee, soaking up every ounce of gravitas that this remarkable man would offer me as a fellow confidant of liberty.
I loved this book about George Washington. I have read many books about Washington in the past as a history teacher for over 20 years. This is well written and very well researched. I live this author and all of his books are always wonderful stories that present a detailed and genuine person’s life.
Chernow’s books are thorough and comprehensive. This one is no exception. Written with authority, and with an easy fluency. Highly recommended
The biography of Washington presents a much more paradoxical narrative than its counterpart on Hamilton. George Washington was a man filled with contradictions. At the same time he internally espoused a need to liberate his slaves, he would never allow his slaves to go free. As a General, he inspired his soldiers, but was never much of a tactician.
And as a President, he craved a legacy while never publicly pushing for his own popularity.
Chernow expertly explores Washington’s tumultuous life, identifying all the moments where we see the real human underneath the historical facade. Washington was nowhere near perfect. He complained about finances to friends. He could never escape his need to own slaves. He was scared of political parties, but essentially became the leader of the Federalists by the end of his presidency.
If you’re looking for a balanced exploration of the man Washington, rather than the god, read Chernow’s biography. If we are to understand how we move forward as a human species, we must understand the inherent contradictions that exist within our histories. Washington was simultaneously an inspirational leader and a failure of the ideals of liberty toward slavery. He revolted against an imperial power while failing to stop American settlers from colonizing and murdering indigenous peoples.
Chernow properly explores every aspect of Washington’s life, and I couldn’t recommend the narrative enough.
Five Stars.
Lots of interesting details, but took a really long time to read. Learned a lot about Washington that I didn’t know even though ‘everybody’ knows George Washington.
I went from Hamilton into this and back to Hamilton just to compare notes and etc. The flow and pace of the materials presented brought both men to life in a way many over the years have failed to do beyond a complete resurrection. A joy indeed.
I have read Grant by the same author and thoroughly enjoyed it as well. I am now working on Hamilton, for me, the last book of this wonderful trilogy by Ron Chernow.
I have now also read Grant by the same author and will shortly begin Hamilton. Chernow possesses meticulous research skills as well as precise, fluent and elegant prose. The combination will keep you awake many nights! I am looking forward to his next project.
Amazing information about Washington’s life and a great bit of history! Great read even if a bit long at times.
Well researched, wonderful study of the man and the historical times.
Ron Chernow does it again. After reading “Hamilton”, I didn’t think that I “needed” to read Chernow’s biography of Washington. Since the descriptions of Washington’s career and his mentorship of Hamilton are fairly comprehensive in that book. However, a friend of mine kept raving about how wonderful a book “Washington, A Life” was, so I dove in. Typical of Chernow’s biographies, this book draws you in immediately. From the first chapter, where he briefs the reader on Washington’s family history through his enlistment in the British army, Chernow transports one into the world of a Virginian colonist and his love for land, his contempt for those treating him unequally and interfering with his rights.
There are so many things about Washington that I would never have known if I hadn’t read this book. Among them are, Washington was not a wealthy man. Washington was not a good General and if the British had really wanted to stop the American revolution, they could have easily done so. Washington was beloved by his army because he fought hard to get them the resources they needed, he rode into battle amongst them and against all odds, convinced them not to desert when they were starving, shoeless and their efforts seemed futile. Washington had no desire to be President or to control the country in any capacity after the war. This trait, in and of itself, so impressed the rest of the world that the newly freed colonies were granted respect from Europeans and the rest of the old world countries.
Among other things I learned: Jefferson was so enamored with the French Revolution that he attributed Washington’s reluctant participation In ceremonial functions to monarchical ambitions and even planted or wrote “fake news” stories about Washington,e.g. that he accepted bribes from Britain during the revolutionary war.
This book made me realize how fortunate I am to have been born in the U.S. and so proud that our first President, who could have easily been granted absolute power over the country and its citizens, had he desired it, instead, stubbornly sought to create an enduring government that would protect and preserve the individual freedoms that are so crucial to democracy.
Wonderful detail about this flawed man who rose above his own limits; you can feel the humanity and mortality in the descriptions of Washington’s agonized decision-making. Highly recommend.
Excellent biography of the father of our nation.
The book is thorough, detailed and well researched. Although it is very long, if one wanted to read just one book about George Washington, this would be the book.
An excellent telling of Washington’s story using correspondence to flesh out the details of a much more complex character than we generally think of George Washington. And he is a person, generally speaking, even more worthy of respect than I knew.
Slow read
It makes me in awe of the brave men who made our country free. Washington was human and had his flaws, but his strength, planning, and determination led us through terrible times. I found the book slow going at times, but well worth the effort.
Fascinating book. They never taught us any of this in school