George Washington II

Following my recent post on America's greatest president, George Washington, Councilman Matt Altieri wrote me to suggest that I mention "one of the best books on Washington and the early years of the republic Founding Brothers by Ellis." I checked the Amazon review. It states

In retrospect, it seems as if the American Revolution was inevitable. But was it? In Founding Brothers, Joseph J. Ellis reveals that many of those truths we hold to be self-evident were actually fiercely contested in the early days of the republic.

Ellis focuses on six crucial moments in the life of the new nation, including a secret dinner at which the seat of the nation's capital was determined--in exchange for support of Hamilton's financial plan; Washington's precedent-setting Farewell Address; and the Hamilton and Burr duel. Most interesting, perhaps, is the debate (still dividing scholars today) over the meaning of the Revolution. In a fascinating chapter on the renewed friendship between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson at the end of their lives, Ellis points out the fundamental differences between the Republicans, who saw the Revolution as a liberating act and hold the Declaration of Independence most sacred, and the Federalists, who saw the revolution as a step in the building of American nationhood and hold the Constitution most dear. Throughout the text, Ellis explains the personal, face-to-face nature of early American politics--and notes that the members of the revolutionary generation were conscious of the fact that they were establishing precedents on which future generations would rely.

I haven't read the book, but this review makes it sound interesting. And here's the NHRs editorial on Washington. It quotes some of his 1797 farewell address to the Union, noting how it still rings true today. (I can't help but feel we are currently "entangled" with Saudi Arabia.)

And since it's Presidents' Day, here's one point of interest about John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, America's 2nd and 3rd presidents, respectively. Did you know they both died on July 4, 1826? The fiftieth anniversary of... oh... what was it?

Tim White

UPDATE: Dear old dad just informed me that on Feb 22, there will be a new book published, George Washington's Leadership Lessons. The authors are James Rees, executive director of Mount Vernon, and Steve Spignesi. And as you may have guessed, my dad agented the book. (As for Mount Vernon, if you've never visited, I'd highly recommend it. Although Monticello and UVA in Charlottesville were more interesting to me, architecturally at least.) And from the Amazon review "In addition to the fifteen leadership lessons, Rees includes the Rules of Civility that helped Washington initially develop the qualities of a great leader and a comprehensive look at one of the lesser-known sides of George Washington: the entrepreneur." Civility. Interesting. I may have to blog on that.