Rating: 
Summary: Solid overview of America's first commander-in-chief.......
Review: Because this book focuses exclusively on Washington's presidency, it avoids the trappings of postmodernist social history and instead gives us a portrait of power. More than a mere dupe of Hamilton, Washington is presented instead as a symbol of dignity; firm, intelligent, and focused. While the author makes it clear that Washington was far from the man of marble so often portrayed in grade school history books, he was nonetheless a man of true principle -- especially in terms of Federalist philosophy. Modern readers should take note of Washington's belief in a strong central government and a distrust of states' rights and factions. Also, the author rightly places his Farewell Address in the pantheon of great American documents -- a collection of remarkably prescient prose arguably as influential as anything ever written by Jefferson or Lincoln.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not the best
Review: I found Smith's biography of Washington educational, but at times dry. I certainly learned a lot in reference to Washington and the various trials he faced in holding together a fledgling government. However, I also found less enjoyment in this book than in others about Washington's contemporaries. Students of history and particularly government and diplomacy will find this book very informative. It is not however, for the average reader merely looking to become more familar with our first president.
Rating:
Summary: Extensive Groundwork
Review: I was fascinated with this book about Washington's Presidency, but I would be remiss in not mentioning that is not much concerned with anything outside his presidency. It is not dry or lacking in details, but I found myself becoming more interested in the fleeting, anectdotal passages, or some of the more personal interactions Washington had. For instance, I found it gripping to follow Washington's decision making process when he is presented with evidence that a close acquaintance may be a traitor. This story only goes on for about two pages and similar examinations are found only few and far between the long stretches on global situations and policies. However, I would guess this proves that one of the important things to note about Washington was that he was not as outwardly notable as some of the more flamboyant and boisterous of those founding fellows surrounding him.I feel very informed about Washington the president, but I would now like to learn a little bit more about the man.
Rating:
Summary: Extensive Groundwork
Review: I was fascinated with this book about Washington's Presidency, but I would be remiss in not mentioning that is not much concerned with anything outside his presidency. It is not dry or lacking in details, but I found myself becoming more interested in the fleeting, anectdotal passages, or some of the more personal interactions Washington had. For instance, I found it gripping to follow Washington's decision making process when he is presented with evidence that a close acquaintance may be a traitor. This story only goes on for about two pages and similar examinations are found only few and far between the long stretches on global situations and policies. However, I would guess this proves that one of the important things to note about Washington was that he was not as outwardly notable as some of the more flamboyant and boisterous of those founding fellows surrounding him. I feel very informed about Washington the president, but I would now like to learn a little bit more about the man.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for Everyone
Review: Richard Norton Smith has written an interesting book on Washington's time in the Presidency up until his death. However, I found his narrative somewhat perplexing as he struggles to tell the story. His attempts at occasional digression into what he sees as a related topics will often leave the reader perplexed. His quirky vocabulary smacks of an awkward attempt to use the latest "word of the month." Those who are well versed in Washington's life and the history and politics of the founding period in our history will find parts of his interpretation new and informative. Those not as familiar with the person and period will be less impressed and may find this book disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting but Uneven - and with an Agenda
Review: Richard Norton Smith provides a decent overview of Washington's presidency and, to his credit, gives a rounded portrait of Washington, with noble qualities and very human failings. As straightforward history, though, Patriarch leaves much to be desired. RNS references events without providing sufficient detail about them, such as the Nootka Sound incident, among several others. Worse, his treatment of the Whiskey Rebellion is ridiculously one-sided, focusing exclusively on the Washington/Federalist point of view, and lacks basic factual information necessary for the reader to make an informed judgment about it. Finally, RNS is clearly aiming for a readership of FoxNews viewers (assuming that FoxNews viewers actually read, of course) by throwing in gratuitous contemporary references, such as one to the "Blame America First" crowd, which are jarring and do nothing to advance the narrative. RNS's subject and perspective (Washington as skilled politician and deep thinker) merit a much more comprehensive book than what we have here.
Rating:
Summary: Washington's Needed Presence at our Founding Illustrated
Review: Smith has written a good book that rightly focuses on Washington's building of our national government through careful consideration of precedent and the ability to balance factions through the force of his dignity and integrity. Our new American government need not have stuck by its Constitutional structure. Indeed, that document was a plan on paper that could arguably have been observed more in the breech had Washington had anything like Napolean's thirst for personal power. Yet that marvelous document was strengthened by Washington's desire to observe its structure and strictures. Smith details how our first president was keenly aware that his organization of the government and almost every action were setting the precedents that would determine whether his successors would be preside in his spirit or in a vein more threatening to the liberties he had helped purchase during the Revolution. He also had the help of very intelligent men in his cabinet -- principally Hamilton and Jefferson -- who had opposing views as to the nature of the federal government and its goals and desired relationship to the individual, states and the economy. That Washington was able to keep them both in his employ during the critical period of his first term reveals him to be a very good politician who was adept at balancing interests, using his prestige, and satisfying the egos of men who thought they were destined to design the nation in this first presidency. I would have liked a little more detail on the actual organization of the government and it's establishment. Smith focuses more on the personal and relationships of Washington and his key subordinates -- somewhat of a style over substance analysis of his two terms. Yet at this period, style and nuance were critical to setting a positive tone for the presidency and Smith's focus is certainly a good lense through which to shed more light on this important historical era.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent analysis of Washington and his Presidency
Review: Smith's book does a great service to those of us interested in a remarkable figure who is often overlooked in today's historical studies. This is a study of Washington's role as our first chief executive in our fledgling republic. From the beginning we learn of the rock solid character Washington possessed and how it shaped his life in everthing he did. Washington always accepted the call to service, not for fortune and fame, but because he felt it was his duty. A trait that astonished such world leaders like King George III and Napoleon. After we learn more about Washington in this wonderfully detailed account of Washington and his presidency, we or at least I come away feeling sympathetic to Washington and his desire for a peaceful retirement. But alas, it wasn't meant to be for the father of our country. Washington's disdain for political factions and his ability to be apolitical is amazing considering his diverse cabinet which included two very ideological polar opposites in Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. Perhaps only Washington could have kept these two talented men in his cabinet for any reasonable length of time. But Washington was always the Federalist who believed in a strong central government that could hold the Union together. And this was necessary for a republic in its infant stage. This view on government's role was not that popular in his own native Virginia and other states south. Jefferson, on trying to persuade Washington to accept a second term, aptly put it when he said North and South would hang together so long as they had Washington to hang on to. An ominous portent of sectional conflicts to come. Washington enjoyed successes and failures during his presidency. He was perhaps the only man in his administration that lived by his neutrality doctrine, especially when men like Jefferson were inclined to support the French and men like Hamilton were greater supporters of England. But even Washington was not immune to criticism, which we clearly see in this book. He was, after all, a human being. He was a proud man who was always conscious of his actions and wanted to make sure he lived by the virtues he espoused. In the end, we can appreciate the rock solid character of George Washington and how by his very presence, he seemed to hold our country together.
Rating:
Summary: Good book about Washington's presidency
Review: This book is really well written and focuses on Washington's presidency. It is incredibly interesting to learn how Washington dealt with the supposed greats of his day like Hamilton, Jefferson, and Adams. We should all realize that GW was a much better politician and thinker than he gets credit for. ENJOY!
Rating:
Summary: Brings an otherwise mythical character to life
Review: Throughout my life, i have learned bits and pieces about George Washington. And after reading little excerpts from magazines or books on our First President, I had somewhat negatives feelings about him. He was always portrayed as a perfect Roman God like figure. After reading this book, I not only like Washington, but at times i felt sorry for him. This book brings out the real Washington, the one that is behind all the praise and all the courageous stories. Don't get me wrong he was a great man indeed but this book brings out the human side of Washinton, the side that resembles leaders in todays world. It tells the story of Washington during his presidency and the few years after. It pinpoints his relations with the Indians, his proclamation of neutrality in Europe and his dealings in personal political conflicts between Republicans led by Jefferson and Federalist led by Hamilton. It is an entertaining and informative book. The best the I have read on Washington.
| 
