Washington: The Indispensable Man

To most Americans he's just an old, dead, white guy, whose weird-looking picture is on the dollar bill. Oh yeah, he was the first president and fought in the revolution. So what? Well, this informative but occasionally awkardly written book reminds us of the huge debt that we all owe George Washington. He was born in 1732 in Virginia to a rather unremarkable family. His mother, Mary, seems to be the one who instilled his character, but was so possessive that, even when he was general of the army and president of the United States, she complained to him that he didn't spend enough time with her. His first public service was to lead an unsuccessful exploratory/military mission against the French in the western Pennsylvania area; later, he accompanied the English general Braddock to the disastrous battle against the French at Fort Duquesne. Despite the rather dubious nature of his achievements, he was nevertheless welcomed back to Virginia as a hero. It was at this time that he married Martha, a match which brought him more land, and enabled him to create the great plantation which became Mt. Vernon. This is where he spent his time before the outbreak of the revolution. He was made general of the army by the Second Continental Congress arguably because he simply showed up: his mission was only to show that the cause would be supported by the Virginia coalition. In fact his election was a political decision: it was recognized that he was the one man in the country most likely to unite the disparate states, north and south, into one cohesive force. Washington, typically, did not feel himself up to the task, but also typically, he accepted it. He refused to accept pay for his service. In fact, he was not up to the task. Who would be? His compatriots expected him to lead an army--an unsupplied, unpaid, untrained army--against the greatest military power in the world. He did not receive unanimous support. Gates, the American victor at Saratoga, worked against him. Arnold was not under his control. In early efforts, even his subordinates did not trust him, ignoring his orders. It must also be remembered that the colonies as a whole were by no means united in their cause against the British. The Tories in number were probably equal to the Patriots, with the remainder of the unwashed masses willing to go with the victor. But Washington, through his courage and daring, won two early victories in New Jersey, giving confidence to a discouraged army and an indifferent populace. The war seemed to be at a stalemate, which is where it remained until yet another daring and decisive victory at Yorktown in 1781, which effectively ended hostilities. Washington would later recall that the war was won because of the colonist's, "secret resource," the, "unconquerable resolution of our citizens." It wasn't to be until 1787 that an effort was made to unite the disparate and selfish colonies into a union. Imagine that, for six years, there was no government in this country. What was there was weak and without authority. And in the meantime, the army, which had not been paid for the entirety of the war, was threatening to destroy the nation before it even started. George Washington was again called in. It is difficult to believe that any other human being could have diffused this situation. He appealed to their highest nature, and stated to them that they should not, "afford for posterity to say, when speaking of the glorious example [they] have exhibited to mankind, `had this day been wanting, the world had never seen the last stage of perfection to which human nature is capable of attaining.'" The last stage of perfection he was referring to was human freedom, a concept which in the entire history of humanity had not yet been realized. It was his concept, his desire, to establish in a nation which did not exist when he was born a government that would be of the people, by the people, and for the people. When the government was formed, after excruciating pain, he was called upon, again, to lead it. Here is what he had to deal with when first becoming president: his two most trusted aides, Hamilton and Jefferson, hated each other; his vice-president, Adams, distrusted him, fearing his power; two states, Rhode Island and North Carolina, selfishly refused to attend the Constitutional Convention; New York was making separate deals with the Indians; the English were pirating American ships and impressing their sailors; and when the English and French went to war, huge contingents of Americans sided with the French, some of whom attempted to become privateers for them. This would be a problem since it was tantamount to declaring war. Of course, there continued the Indian problem in the west, now agitated by the British. Fun stuff, huh? But Washington persevered, even agreeing to sit for a second term, despite the enormous toll this took on his family, his wealth, and his health. Indeed, the best years of his life were sacrificed to the idea that there should be a country on the earth which was free. In the end, this is what endures about Washington. It would have been very easy for him to simply spend his time at Mt. Vernon, where he would have enjoyed prosperity whether under British or American control. He could have easily spent the winter at Valley Forge in a townhouse somewhere. He did not wish to be President at all. Yet he did these things, and he did these things with the heavy knowledge that every single thing he did would be recorded for posterity. "I walk on untrodden ground," he said. "There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent." He gravely held himself to the highest standard. This is why he is known as the father of our country. The first twenty-eight years of it was presided over by either Washington himself, or by men who were intimately acquainted with and in awe of his character. This country--the first free and most prosperous nation in history, and which stands today as a beacon of freedom to every single human being on the earth--came into existence primarily due to the almost unbelievable strength of the character of George Washington. Yes. Character.

Overall all - this was a very good book, offering a lot of excellent insights into Washington, his life, and how he acted in different situations. One of the conclusions I came to, while reading this book, is that Washington is probably the only person who could have successfully served as the first President of the U.S. - he was very fair minded, didn't take sides, and didn't use his influence in areas he felt were inappropriate (too bad today's politicians don't act the same way!). I believe were any other of the major political figures of the day our first President, the nation would have fallen apart, and would be a collection of states, and not the country we are today. That being said, I do have one complaint about the book. The book was written in sections - instead of in a strictly linear (timeline) fashion. As a result, occasionally you'll get done with one section, and then goto the next section, and end up going backwards in time. I can understand why the author did this - I'm sure he felt like some subjects needed to be covered by themselves, and not just thrown into a timeline with everything else. However, by doing it this way, sometimes you get a bit confused in regards to how things fall on the timeline. Otherwise - a very good book.

James Thomas Flexner's single volume biography of George Washington, George Washington: The Indispensable Man, is widely regarded as among the best single volume treatments of the subject. As Flexner first wrote a four volume biography before writing this original work (this is not just an abridgement of the four volume set, it is a new endeavor), he certainly has a great understanding of the subject and it comes through in this book. Flexner does an excellent job of describing the events of Washington's life in an exciting and interesting manner. The prose flows well and I found it to be quite the page turner, as I kept wanting to read what would happen next, despite familiarity with the history. Flexner's strength is tying the events Washington participated in to the grand turns of history, from the French and Indian War to the Revolution to the presidency. Washington's leadership and vision were indispensable to the American cause, and it becomes apparent when reading this book why even the rest of the Founding Fathers - the single greatest collection of patriots and leaders America's ever had - all revered Washington. I also recently read His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis (check my reviews for my original thoughts on Ellis' book). I enjoyed both, and found them to be very complementary. I'd say Flexner is stronger at demonstrating Washington's vital role in the events of the day through a better explanation of the surrounding context of history, while Ellis does a better job of giving you the view from Washington's perspective through extensive use of Washington's correspondence, much of which has been made more accessible to scholars through the University of Virginia's The Papers of George Washington project since Flexner completed his work. I think Flexner and Ellis have enough recommending each of their biographies to read both, but if forced to recommend just one, I'd suggest Flexner, as I think the focus on Washington's central place in the founding of the country is more helpful in understanding his impressive legacy. George Washington: The Indispensable Man is so remarkable and well-told that I plan to read Flexner's four volume biography eventually. In the meantime, however, I'm waiting for Ron Chernow's Washington: A Life to hit paperback for my next excursion with Washington, about whom, it seems, enough can never be said or read.

James Thomas Flexner's twelve-volume biography of George Washington in a brilliant single-volume abridgment.

I knew of the key events from previous historical books, but this was the first Washington Biograpgy I had read. This was a great read. I foud it well paced, and enjoyable. The writing was crisp and explanations of complicated issues like the financial plans to retrieve the new Nation from financial ruin thought provoking. I was especaily intrigued by the 2 terms of Washington and the beginnings of party politics as it grew out of the Financial crisis and Foriegn ploicy toward the consequences of the French Revolution. I am left with the impression of what a truly remarkable man the New United States of America had in their first president. I am also left with a bad impresssion of Thomas Jefferson who seems to come across as petty and less brilliant than his rival Alexander Hamilton. But maybe I need to read a biography on him to get a better sense of his motivations. Overall this biography is well done.

James Flexner effort of summarizing George Washington's life within 402 pages is a tremendous achievement. Even if some aspects of the Great General life are rapidly covered, nothing is left unattended. That being said, I would have love a more thorough examination of his relation with his mother. Nonetheless, down from the first job he ever held to his tragic and sudden death, the book will give you a very clear picture of how important, honest, intellectually irreproachable and morally balanced George Washington was. Indispensable Washington was to first win the US it's independance, and then establish free goverment by the people for the people, despite Thomas Jefferson best effort to undermine such goverment. Remove George Washington from history, the US, as you know it, woudn't exist.

Es steht natürlich alles drin, ist ein guter Überblick, etc. - aber irgendwie blutleer und nicht gerade mitreissend. Dennoch empfehlenswert, da m.E. zwar mit viel Goodwill für Washington, aber dennoch einigermassen neutral.

I imagine this could be a good read but the book I received was very old , very small print and very yellowed pages.