Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Washington: A Life

Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2017

First Ron Chernow book that I have read. Great book. Learned so much about George Washington. Not sure how this book affected my opinion of George Washington though. It's still sinking in. If I had to say now it would be that I am more impressed by his leadership as a general in the French and Indian War and of course the Revolutionary War. The hardships and obstacles that he overcame seem humanly impossible today. He really did singularly forge our country into existence.
And was impressed with his role in bringing about the U.S. Constitution. His presence alone was a stabilizing factor for those tense few summer months in Philadelphia.
Am now probably less impressed with his Presidency. Seem to lean towards Hamilton's centralized government approach and view the Constitution as a living document. And his push for a national bank was troubling as well.
As far as personal character. It was very solid in his leadership roles and in his family life and seemingly in his marriage to Martha. Was bothered though by how he treated his slaves. He was very strict and even harsh at times and would track down those who escaped. Yes, it was a different time, but, along with the fact that he had slaves, his treatment of them was often nothing short of cruel, yet he was seeming close to some of his slaves and cared about them. A paradox.
And he was very harsh at times on the troops under him. Yes, these were very harsh times and situations and many of the troops fighting for the birth of the new country wanted to and often did abandon the battle. Washington used harsh measures to try to stop the loss of his troops.
Chernow does a great job telling us just who Washington was and how he thought and what he was made of. The poor relationship with his mother also gives us a look into who he was and how he was formed. It seems that many greats in history credit great mothers and/or fathers for making them the person they are. Washington had neither, yet he became a great historic figure with strong character and leadership abilities .Where did these qualities come from then? Though that may be a mystery, I think that I know the Father of Our Country much better than before I read it. Highly recommend it. Looking forward to getting and reading Grant book. I'm a slow reader, so it will be a while before I finish the 900 plus page book, but I hear it's great too.

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DantheMan

History or Psychology?

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2016

It feels inappropriate to give a work of such magnitude and research 2 stars. “Washington” is chalked full of accolades and five star reviews. Chernow is academic to the highest degree. His knowledge is expansive and his writing is paired with an incredible vocabulary which is exceedingly fluid and enjoyable to read.

The primary problem I had with this work was that Chernow more often assumes the role of a psychologist than that of a historian. While it is expected that some "analysis of the psyche" be done by a biographer, Chernow puts too great an effort to get inside the head of Washington. Page after page is spent trying to discern Washington’s ambitions, his love life, his temper, his feelings, his emotions—the real Washington. Ironically this seems to only further obscure this figure to me.

Too often Chernow assumes what should be left to the reader to conclude. Sentences begin with statements as: “Surely this is due to Washington’s inner…”or “Washington’s insecurities were no doubt influenced by…” This is not history; it is the narrator’s voice getting to loud. I would rather Chernow had simplified his biography by stating the facts as they happened. Upon painting the picture, he could have presented--with far less dogmatism--various opinions (including his own) as to the inner mysteries of Washington.

Chernow did his homework on this book and much of his recounting is enlightening. He is a talented author and a great historian, and I learned a lot throughout this biography. It is a shame he spent so much of it speculating who Washington REALLY was, instead of simply stating who Washington was—and leaving the finer mysteries for the reader to decide.

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Sean Claycamp

3.5 stars. Overly dense and dragged considerably at times

Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2018

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I actually want to give this 3 1/2 stars but I’m not going to give it 4.
I loved Chernow’s bio of US Grant. And I liked Hamilton. This one just seemed overly dense and 800 pages to prove a point.
I can normally read a book of this length in 4-6 weeks. This took me 3+ months because it just really dragged along at times and got monotonous.
It is borderline blasphemy for me to make such statements. Clearly Chernow did his research and wrote with passion and detail.
Who am I to criticize!!
But trimming and tightening this book up by about 200 pages would be a good strategy. I don’t think the novice reader would make it through this one.
I have now read close to 100 bios some denser than this one so I was able to get through it. Clearly it’s the book to recommend on Washington but I think trimming and tightening it somewhat would help it reach a broader audience.

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D. Vaughan

Invaluable look at Founding Father(s)

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2018

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There is a tendency in this country to venerate the Founding Fathers as some kind of noble savants but really they were just people. Like today, some more self-interested and churlish than others; others more dedicated to the future of the country and at least trying to get it right; none perfect. I had read Chernow's Hamilton first, three times over, because it is that good. It made me think how certain craven personalities are found in politics over and over again. All the same BS that goes on today, went on back then, just without videos and Twitter. So I was always going to read Chernow's Washington. Very glad I did. I got the picture of a man of distinct history and personality, trying his best, getting crapped on sometimes, not perfect, but really America was lucky to have him at its birth. If not for Washington and his unique vitae and style brought to the table, I don't know where America would be right now. We could sure use a guy like him right now.

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A Haynes

If you're interested in the birth of America, this book's for you...

Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2017

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Let me start by saying that while I'm a voracious reader, I read few biographies. This is probably my first one in over a decade.

That being said, this one is really good for a historical perspective of the father of the US--warts and all, which I really appreciated. All men have faults, and the founding fathers were no exception. I was engaged with the book, and my thoughts turned to it even when not reading it. I found myself making parallels to the goings on in Philadelphia in 1791 to the US in 2016. It's impossible not to.

That being said, the book isn't perfect. Chernow strings together events beautifully, but frequently opines on the meaning of the events without actual supporting documentation. Also, he offers contradictory positions on Washington--was he modest, or was he vain? In one sentence, he will discuss his severe modesty, and in the next, his heightened vanity. I think every human swings between both, but the descriptions of Washington either say he's wholly one way, but then is wholly the opposite the next. It's those kinds of contradictions that have made me question Chernow's perspectives. Still, the book is totally worth it, and gives a great lens through which to see the birth of the United States, and subsequent growing pains.

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Michael Jolls

Read this BEFORE reading “Alexander Hamilton”

Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2020

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I shall refrain from writing a lengthy essay about how much I adore Chernow's books, yet as in the case of "Alexander Hamilton," there is so much one can lean on to correlate history to modern events. I started reading this 800-page beast before rioters started pulling down Washington's statue - therefore, to be totally honest, regardless of where you stand on this issue, this book will give you insights into why and how America venerates this man, as well as his faults that modern fanatics point to. Suffice to say that Washington was trapped by his own prestige during his lifetime, Chernow again does a marvelous job of removing historical figures from a pseudo-Roman marble pedestal of modern perception.

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Joanne T. Lewis

The Birth of our Country

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2019

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While this book is rich at over 800 pages, I found it engrossing at the turn of every page. Chernow is obviously a master of the biography and doesn't need my review to add to his popularity. However, I feel compelled to add my voice as I enjoyed "Washington, A Life" immensely. In reading about the father of our country, I learned about the birth of our country. I most enjoyed the nuances of Washington's being, most notably the behind-the-scenes interpretation by Chernow of what the stoic Washington was really thinking. While there was a degree of speculation on the author's part, I liked learning what Washington thought on a subject and then further enjoyed the one-sided debate I had with Chernow as to whether I agreed with his interpretation. All the letters Washington left behind have certainly been a long-lasting gift from our first president to us. I also liked that Washington's shortcomings were front and center as much as his talents, i.e. his insecurities about his lack of education, his appearance (teeth), his health, and his call to serve his country which constantly usurped his desire to be at Mount Vernon. The biggest disappointment is Washington's stance on slavery. Chernow presents it (as supported by Washington's letters) as if he opposed slavery but made no outward move to end slavery at Mount Vernon or in the country. The irony of slaves helping to build the capitol in D.C. was not missed.

As I endeavor to read biographies of all our presidents (I am taking a detour to read Isaacson's "Benjamin Franklin, An American Life" before I move on to John Adams), "Washington, A Life" was a perfect start to my history lesson.

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Kenneth C. Mahieu

Several shortcomings but five stars - and a Pulitzer

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2015

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"Washington - A Life" by Ron Chernow is a Pulitzer prize winner. It's very interesting and informative, and long, very long. 817 pages. I felt it was certainly worth the investment in time, but I also felt it easily could have been pared by at least 100 pages. More on that later. Fortunately, Chernow's writing is very relaxed and extremely readable, laced with well placed anecdotes and excellent analysis. Coming into this book, I knew very little about our first President besides some 4th grade history instruction and a number of visits to nearby Mount Vernon.

Not much time was spent on GW's early years, and very soon we learn of George's adventures as a very young officer in the militia, teamed with England in the French and Indian War. As revolution began to simmer in the colonies, Washington's role was primarily military, and the events that unfolded during those years dealing with the Declaration and Constitution were mainly left to others. Though Washington attended the initial Congressional sessions and expressed his viewpoints, he was never a confident orator and his lack of education led many of his founding brothers to pay him less attention. So Chernow's focus during those years deals more with the eight years (yes, EIGHT years) that he led his rag tag army against the British; in the background we are given snippets of events in Philadelphia. And maybe rag-tag is too kind a descriptor. This was an army that was not only poorly clothed but ill-fed as well. Often local farmers sold their produce and livestock to the better financed British. Then there was the issue of many American troops returning to their families every December 31 as annual commitments expired. Washington's "army" would shrink to a few thousand. Washington lost a number of battles - he was not surrounded by an experienced military-educated team of officers and staff, but he kept the army together. Eventually the Brits made the Big Mistake at Yorktown, and with the very timely help of the French, the Revolutionary War was over. My major disappointment with this portion of the book was that Chernow elected not to use maps. There were several battles described in some detail which would have been much easier to visualize with a single map.

Five years later Washington was our first President. He was unopposed, and his intention was to serve one term, perhaps less if possible. He yearned to retire to Mt. Vernon but did not have that opportunity for another eight years. There were two interesting learnings for me in this section of the book. The first is that Washington as President was now in a position to set precedent since not every detail of governing was clearly defined in the founding documents. Many of those issues dealt with the specific duties o the Executive and Legislative branches. The second was the birth o political parties, each with different viewpoints on the kind of country America was to become. For example, while Washington (and Hamilton) believed in a strong executive role, others felt it would be too easy for the United States to morph into a monarchy-like government too reminiscent of the British royatly from whom we had just separated.. This section of the book made clear that while many of our forefathers may have been "founding brothers" they did not always get along all that well and at various points in our early history, relationships broke off and were never repaired. It is interesting to see so many parallels with governing the US in 2015.

In addition to the War years and the first Presidency years, the book covers a lot of other ground central to Washington's life. All of it is very important and I would not want any of the subjects deleted. But I think most could have been abbreviated. These include the ongoing changes at Mount Vernon over the years from crop selection to building additions to draperies, the relationship with George's mother, his dental problems, all of the portraits he sat for, slavery, George's eye for the ladies, and his delightful relationship with Lafayette. The material dealing with slavery alone could have yielded a separate book. As a matter of fact, I think a book dealing with the issue of slavery and American presidents from Washington to Lincoln could be a winner.

Nevertheless, five stars all the way. Highly recommended.

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foureyes

Interesting, but extremely detailed.

Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2018

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I chose this book because I enjoy reading about our founding fathers and the struggles they endured to make this country a reality. I learned a lot about George Washington and his relationship with many historical figures. I did find this book a little too detailed at times and had to push through some of the less interesting sections. It is a very long read but I don’t regret reading it since I learned so many interesting things about this time period and the people who persevered in the most difficult conditions. It’s amazing that this country actually came to be with the obstacles they faced.
If you enjoy history and don’t mind committing to about 800 pages, I would suggest this book. However, it’s not for the casual reader looking for a light read!

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Cody Allen

George Washington is a legend!

Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2020

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At 817 pages, this is the longest book I have ever read and I enjoyed it thoroughly from start to finish. Although I have read many books in my life, I decided George Washington would be my inaugural book for my book review page, because, well, he was an inaugural guy. We all know him as the first President of the United States of America and also the first Commander in Chief that fought for those states, but he was so much more. He was a frontiersman, a plantation owner, a statesman, a husband, a warrior, a Freemason, a founding father, and a legend. And that’s just scratching the surface.

Washington appeals to me specifically because I was raised in a family without a father. Not to fret, I had two loving mothers who reared me well, and I wouldn’t change my family or my upbringing for anything (it’s why I am the person I am today.) I have, however, occasionally thought about the person I might have been had I been raised with a male presence. Coincidentally, Washington is often described as the Father of his Country due to his various leadership roles at the onset of the United States. Washington himself had no direct children, and being as the United States were succeeding from a monarchy, many people were encouraged by this fact. It meant there was nobody for Washington to potentially pass the seat of power onto. Their future republic felt safe from the ever present terrors of authoritarianism, which were present all over the world (and most imposingly Western Europe) in the late 1700’s.

I give Ron Chernow’s biography of our first president 5/5 stars. It is THE comprehensive book about Washington’s life, both public and private. Chernow leaves no stone unturned, from his tumultuous relationships with Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, to his oddly dispassionate yet remarkably enduring and warm relationship with Martha, his wife of 40 years. He chronicles Washington’s life with valorous depth and gives the reader a real feeling for who George was and who he aspired to be.

I learned that Washington struggled with the inherent depravity of slavery for many years of his life, and only released his personal slaves via his will. He also spent a life grappling with decaying teeth, and I can only imagine how crude dentures were back then (probably pretty terrible.) The most important thing I learned, and something I will take away from my reading and carry with me, was Washington’s sense of humility. Although he was ambitious, he was never outwardly so. This I find admirable. We are all inherently ambitious, it is against human nature not to be, but to openly pine for things we believe we deserve is gross, especially in the public sphere. While Washington was chosen by his constituents to occupy his roles, and he accepted them with grace, his private letters reveal his ever increasing desires to retire from the public eye and enjoy a quiet life at Mount Vernon. Unfortunately for him there was no escape from publicity. He was too great a man to the people of those fledgling thirteen colonies and they (mostly) adored him for his civil services.

Although there are many things worth mentioning, the only other one I will touch upon is Washington’s stately manner. From childhood, he displayed an upright and stolid appearance. As a general, he was honorable in battle and always lead the charge atop his white steed. As a politician, he was known for his excellent judgement in when to weigh in and when to remain silent. As a man, he was known for his dispassionate nature and his desire to consider all sides. This, I think, is something we can learn from. There is far too much rash emotional reaction in today’s political scene and I think it only detrimental. Where are our humble leaders? Who in today’s market can comfortably reach all sides and make decisions for the benefit of all the people? What public persona do we all agree is someone of true merit and worth renown praise?

Being on a lifelong quest for inspirational men both past and present, George Washington has earned his seat in my imaginary assembly of father figures. I will carry him with me wherever I go.

For more book reviews, visit my site at: https://cody-allen.com/blog/

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