The First of Men : a Life of George Washington

Written by John Ferling, one of America's leading historians of the Revolutionary era, __The First of Men__ offers an illuminating portrait of George Washington's life, with emphasis on his military and political career.Here is a riveting account that captures Washington in all his complexity, recounting not only Washington's familiar sterling qualities--courage, industry, ability to make difficult decisions, ceaseless striving for self-improvement, love of his family and loyalty to friends--but also his less well known character flaws. Indeed, as Ferling shows, Washington had to overcome many negative traits as he matured into a leader. The young Washington was accused of ingratitude and certain of his letters from this period read as if they were written by "a pompous martinet and a whining, petulant brat." As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, he lost his temper more than once and indulged flatterers. Aaron Burr found him "a boring, colorless person." As president, he often believed the worst about individual officials. Ferling concludes that Washington's personality and temperament were those of "a self-centered and self-absorbed man, one who since youth had exhibited a fragile self-esteem." And yet he managed to realize virtually every grand design he ever conceived. Ferling's Washington is driven, fired by ambition, envy, and dreams of fame and fortune. Yet his leadership and character galvanized the American Revolution--probably no one else could have kept the war going until the master stroke at Yorktown--and helped the fledgling nation take, and survive, its first unsteady steps. This superb paperback makes available once again an unflinchingly honest and compelling biography of the father of our country

Written by John Ferling, one of America's leading historians of the Revolutionary era, The First of Men offers an illuminating portrait of George Washington's life, with emphasis on his military and political career.
Here is a riveting account that captures Washington in all his complexity, recounting not only Washington's familiar sterling qualities—courage, industry, ability to make difficult decisions, ceaseless striving for self-improvement, love of his family and loyalty to friends—but also his less well known character flaws. Indeed, as Ferling shows, Washington had to overcome many negative traits as he matured into a leader. The young Washington was accused of ingratitude and certain of his letters from this period read as if they were written by a pompous martinet and a whining, petulant brat. As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, he lost his temper more than once and indulged flatterers. Aaron Burr found him a boring, colorless person. As president, he often believed the worst about individual officials. Ferling concludes that Washington's personality and temperament were those of a self-centered and self-absorbed man, one who since youth had exhibited a fragile self-esteem. And yet he managed to realize virtually every grand design he ever conceived. Ferling's Washington is driven, fired by ambition, envy, and dreams of fame and fortune. Yet his leadership and character galvanized the American Revolution—probably no one else could have kept the war going until the master stroke at Yorktown—and helped the fledgling nation take, and survive, its first unsteady steps.
This superb paperback makes available once again an unflinchingly honest and compelling biography of the father of our country.

Publishers Weekly

In addition to reviewing the first president's familiar sterling attributes, Ferling, a historian at West Georgia College, focuses on his character flaws, although here there isn't a great deal of material to work with. The young Washington was accused of ingratitude, and certain of his letters from this period read as if they were written by ``a pompous martinet and a whining, petulant brat.'' As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, he lost his temper more than once and may have indulged a flatterer or two on his staff. Aaron Burr found him ``a boring, colorless person.'' As president, he was ready to believe the worst about individual officials, before all the evidence was in. Ferling concludes that Washington's personality and temperament were those of ``a self-centered and self-absorbed man, one who since youth had exhibited a fragile self-esteem.'' He nevertheless managed to realize virtually every grand design he ever conceived, as the biographer fully demonstrates. (July)

Young George Washington The frontier warrior The acquisitive planter Patrician revolutionary Commander of America's Army At the brink Washington's war begins The campaign of 1777 The new Continental Army The character of General Washington The forgotten years : 1778-1780 Victory and retirement A brief retirement An end to retirement The early presidency The end of the first term The second term begins Last years in office The last years.