"MR. PRESIDENT": George Washington and the Making of the Nation's Highest Office

"Although the framers gave the president little authority, George Washington knew whatever he did would set precedents for generations of future leaders. To ensure their ability to defend the nation, he simply ignored the Constitution when he thought it necessary. In a revealing new look at the birth of American government, "Mr. President" describes Washington's presidency in a time of continual crisis, as rebellion and attacks by foreign enemies threatened to destroy this new nation. Constantly weighing preservation of the Union against preservation of individual liberties and states' rights, Washington assumed more power with each crisis. In a series of brilliant but unconstitutional maneuvers he forced Congress to cede control of the four pillars of executive power: war, finance, foreign affairs, and law enforcement. Drawing on rare documents and letters, Unger shows how Washington combined political cunning and sheer genius to seize ever-widening powers, impose law and order while ensuring individual freedom, and shape the office of President of the United States."-- Read more... Abstract: In this startling look at the birth of American government, award-winning author Harlow Giles Unger shows how George Washington transformed the presidency from a ceremonial post into the most powerful office on earth. Washington combined political cunning, daring, and sheer genius to seize ever-widening powers and impose law and order on the young nation while ensuring individual freedom for its citizens. Read more... "Although the framers gave the president little authority, George Washington knew whatever he did would set precedents for generations of future leaders. To ensure their ability to defend the nation, he simply ignored the Constitution when he thought it necessary. In a revealing new look at the birth of American government, "Mr. President" describes Washington's presidency in a time of continual crisis, as rebellion and attacks by foreign enemies threatened to destroy this new nation. Constantly weighing preservation of the Union against preservation of individual liberties and states' rights, Washington assumed more power with each crisis. In a series of brilliant but unconstitutional maneuvers he forced Congress to cede control of the four pillars of executive power: war, finance, foreign affairs, and law enforcement. Drawing on rare documents and letters, Unger shows how Washington combined political cunning and sheer genius to seize ever-widening powers, impose law and order while ensuring individual freedom, and shape the office of President of the United States."-- Provided by publisher Although the framers gave the president little authority, Washington knew whatever he did would set precedents for generations of his successors. To ensure their ability to defend the nation, he simply ignored the Constitution when he thought it necessary and reshaped the presidency into what James Madison called a monarchical presidency. Modern scholars call it the “imperial presidency.” A revealing new look at the birth of American government, "Mr. President" describes George Washington’s assumption of office in a time of continual crisis, as riots, rebellion, internecine warfare, and attacks by foreign enemies threatened to destroy the new nation. Drawing on rare documents and letters, Unger shows how Washington combined political cunning, daring, and sheer genius to seize ever-widening powers to solve each crisis. In a series of brilliant, but unconstitutional, maneuvers, Washington forced Congress to cede control of the... Annotation In this startling look at the birth of American government, award-winning author Harlow Giles Unger shows how George Washington transformed the presidency from a ceremonial post into the most powerful office on earth. Washington combined political cunning, daring, and sheer genius to seize ever-widening powers and impose law and order while ensuring individual freedom and self-government."Unger gives our precious American history the backbone it deserves and reveals more of Washington the man than Washington the demigod."--"New York Journal of Books"" A] thoroughly researched and delightfully written book.... A real thriller of a tale told with skill and authority."--"Washington Times"" A] fast-paced chronicle of Washington's presidency."--"Publishers Weekly" "Although the framers gave the president little authority, George Washington knew whatever he did would set precedents for generations of future leaders. To ensure their ability to defend the nation, he simply ignored the Constitution when he thought it necessary. In a revealing new look at the birth of American government, [this book] describes Washington's presidency in a time of continual crisis, as rebellion and attacks by foreign enemies threatened to destroy this new nation"-- Content: A mutiny over bounties -- A coup d'état in Philadelphia-- His highness, the president -- "Do you advise and consent?" -- The shell game -- Alive with wrath -- Tar and taxes -- The French plot -- "The president was much inflamed" -- Venomous reptiles on our shores -- The madman and the Indians -- The final pillar -- Farewell from a friend -- First in the hearts of his countrymen -- Appendix : The pillars of presidential power and President Washington's precedents. A mutiny over bounties A coup d¿etat in Philadelphia His Highness, the President "Do you advise and consent?" The shell game Alive with wrath Tar and taxes The French plot "The President was much inflamed" "Venomous reptiles on our shores" The madman and the Indians The final pillar Farewell from a friend First in the hearts of His countrymen. In this startling, action-filled drama, award-winning author Harlow Giles Unger reveals one of the most significant yet least known chapters in American history: how George Washington converted his ceremonial post as president into the most powerful office on earth.