Rating: 
Summary: Thumbs Up!
Review: Richard Brookhiser introduces a new kind of look at George Washington, whose legacy has been all but forgotten in today's society. Citizens today fail to realize the full scope of just how great this man was and the admiration he and his legacy received, not just in early America, but throughout the world. Even King George III said upon Washington's retirement as Commander in Chief placed him "in a light the most distinguished of any man living" and that he was "the greatest character of the age."There have been countless volumes written on the man, and his tremendous legacy provides room for countless more volumes. That said, this is not the book for someone with limited (public school system) education on Washington. Before picking up this book, you would want to read something else, such as Rasmussen and Tilton's George Washington: The Man Behind the Myths, Washington Irving's George Washington: A Biography, or even the great historical fiction by Jeffrey Shaara, The Glorious Cause, part 2 of his series on the Revolutionary War. Not that someone first learning about George Washington wouldn't enjoy this book, but it may a bit 'deep' for the beginner and would be enjoyed more with a good background understanding of the subject. Brookhiser begins with Washington the General during the war, then moves to the drafting of the Constitution and finally, on to his role as President. The second half of the book is dedicated to the character of George Washington. Brookhiser gives good insight into how a man who never fathered children of his own could go on to be such a successful and admired father of a nation. Brookhiser gives the reader a brief look at Washington's Christianity, his proclivity of viewing life as a theatre play, and his establishment of a standard of how things are conducted in our nation's capital. For instance, how Washington refused to turn over to the House, sensitive information regarding Jay's Treaty. The book focuses a good bit as well on Washington's Farewell Address. Overall, this is an enjoyable read for anyone with a sound knowledge of the father of our country. You will surely find a few other books to add to your reading list in the extensive bibliography. Like all of Brookhiser's books, I give this one a thumbs up.
Rating: 
Summary: Very fine character study of our first President
Review: Richard Brookhiser specializes in concise character studies of our founding fathers. He did a fine job with Alexander Hamilton which followed this very nice biography of George Washington. The book justly identifies George Washington as the central Founding Father and goes on to explain how his character was essential to holding the revolution together and the enduring example he set as our first President.
The subtitle of the book is "rediscovering Washington". I like this approach a great deal because Washington is one of those names that everyone has an image of and thinks they know. However, when you probe that surface picture you begin to realize how little real knowledge and understanding is there. This book hits the important points of essential nature of Washington to our founding, his life, his character, and how he relates to our country today.
The book is not exhaustive and there is much about Washington to search out after you have read this book. However, it is short enough for everyone to enjoy and yet offers enough depth of insight to satisfy those with prior knowledge of Washington.
Fine job!
Rating:
Summary: Still Remote,
Review: The chief success of Brookhiser's book is its recreation of 18th-century America, and its exemplar, in 200 crisp pages. Brookhiser clearly admires his subject, and skillfully distills his essence in this slim volume.
The George Washington that emerges from this book is essentially a moral and theatrical man - one who understood the stagecraft of statecraft as much as Ronald Regan did 200 years later. He paid fastidious attention to his wardrobe, his speech and even his facial expressions. His volcanic temper was allowed free reign only enough to impress upon his audience its existence and then was quickly reeled in. He paid a great deal of attention to his reputation, which Brookhiser shows was considered a crucial component of character for all 18th century men-of-action in America, and needed to be protected 'like precious cargo in the hold of a ship.' His courage under fire was undeniable, even when those under his command ran away. His will to serve seemed to outpace his ambition: he seemed to be just as happy in Mount Vernon as in the White House. He felt the hypocrisy of slave-owning perhaps more than most of his Virginia neighbors; he was the only one of the slave-owning President's who had his slaves freed after death.
One significant omission, however, is that comparatively little attention is paid to Martha Washington. Why did George marry her? What was Martha's chief contribution to George's success? What role, in other words, did marriage play in the formation and continuation of Washington's character? These questions are important yet unaddressed.
In the end, Brookhiser adds flesh tones to Washington, whose cool visage - in Gilbert Stuart's portrait - peers at you on the cover of the book. Nevertheless, the Father of Our Country remains a remote father, which is apparently exactly what the man himself intended.
Rating: 
Summary: THE IRONY OF WINNING FREEDOM
Review: This book on George Washington is quite interesting. I read it with enthusiasm, but at the same time, maintaining some reservations. The author seemed to be afraid in a way: he was reluctant to include the 'bad side' of Washington (and some of his co-founding 'fathers' who featured in this book). Even when he dared, his style deteriorated: from being vague to being uncoordinated. Still, I enjoyed reading his book.
In contrast, I like being frank in assessing both men and materials. Mr Washington was indeed a freedom-fighter. But, in all honesty, he was a selfish one. I do not see any reason why a man who sought freedom to the extent of waging a war for it, would in turn, run a government that enslaved American Negroes and oppressed American Indians. Such a man is no hero to any unbiased mind. He is unjust, insensitive and self-centered. He would not do unto others as he would like others to do unto him. Another irony of winning freedom!
In this biographical evaluation, Richard Brookhiser 'forgot' to tell us the reason why this 'hero of freedom' turned around and denied other people of their (most basic) freedom. Willingly or unwillingly, George Washington mortgaged the lives of Negroes and Indians throughout his life. He would have been a true hero, had he opposed slavery and oppression, and worked towards achieving freedom and justice for all: regardless of skin-colour and ethnicity.
Rating:
Summary: Not a Biography
Review: This is more a collection of essays following a thesis that Brookhiser lays out and follows. I liked the retelling of things I already knew, and really enjoyed the themes and bits that I didn't know already. Washington is in sore need of rediscovery and this book meets those challenges by keeping the chosen topics to the point and brief enough to finish.
I would read this after reading a biography of Washington, as I can imagine a person with no knowledge of him may find the necessary jumping of time to follow the themes confusing.
It's one of the top 3 books on Washington in it's readability.
Rating:
Summary: Must Read
Review: Yes, this book should be read by every American, and it is a sad
reminder of the poor state of our education in these modern times. As the author points out, George Washington was a far greater
man, and a tremendously more important aid to our founding, than
he is currently given credit for. Brookhiser does a very nice
job of painting a vivid, if abbreviated, portrait of the most
solid figure during our early years as a new Republic. We have
forgotten that Washington's mere presence at events of those days lent a strength and solidarity that we can't quite fathom. No one in our memory has been able to grasp our minds and emotions in the manner Washington did during our Revolution
and during his 2 terms as the first U.S. President. Everyone should read how his presence on the battlefield affected the Colonial soldiers in their performance under
fire and how he could rally the troops and inspire them.
Even as the first political parties were being formed, and animosity was rearing its head, and personal rancor was making
its first appearances in our political history, Washington could, by either physical presence or word, bring everyone
together. No one else could have brought together Adams, Jefferson and Hamilton to make compromises and get agreements on matters of
national interest. His influence was so great during those times, it is now hard to
believe any one man could have been so influencial; plus, Washington usually made his presence known in the most quiet ways, and he influenced decisions while keeping his mouth shut
at the same time. How could someone be in politics and pull that off? No one but Washington could have done it, and we, as a people,
have forgotten how necessary he was to the success of our Revolution and our new form of representative government. And, as Brookhiser points out, some of the greatest service he
did to the history of our country was to withdraw from his
positions of power and leadership. When the Revolution was over, and Washington was a national hero and virtually worshipped by all, he could have had any position, but he went to Congress and resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief,
saying simply that the job he had undertaken was completed.
And he returned to Mount Vernon. Later, after being drawn again
into public service, with public and political adulation unceasing, he completed his 2nd term as President, and he announced in advance that he would be leaving office and returning to his home. By that time, 2 political parties had come into existence, but
the leaders of both parties acknowledged that Washington, who
had remained aloof from both parties, could have been elected to
a 3rd term if he had any interest. But Washington thought 2 terms was enough for anyone and that a proper republic should have changes in leadership on a regular basis. Brookhiser has a very readable book, and the story moves along
smoothly, and he retains our interest throughout. The only hesitation possible in reading this book is the author's last section, where he explores the concept of "fatherhood," and he delves into some psychology that isn't
founded on fact here. He keeps it interesting, but he skews
away a bit from the historical facts about the Father of our Country. An A-1 read for anyone with any interest whatsoever in the beginnings of our country.
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