General George Washington

A Military Life

By: Edward G. Lengel

Narrated by: Jack Garrett

This comprehensive military biography of George Washington entertainingly examines Washington's capacity as a military leader. Acclaimed historian Edward G. Lengel, an associate editor of the University of Virginia's Papers of George Washington project, bases this engrossing work on the most extensive collection of Washington's personal correspondence.

Many biographies have been written about George Washington. But until this stunning volume, no book has so thorougly and intimately captured Washington's military accomplishments and examined them within the context of America's rise to prominence. Beginning with the French and Indian War, author Edward G. Lengel covers every aspect of Washington's military service. The result is a breathtaking account of the original American icon.

Lengel has crafted an instant classic...and the most extensive history yet of Washington the soldier.

©2005 Edward Lengel (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"For Lengel, Washington's character inspired the trust necessary for any successful revolution. This outstanding work does that character justice." (Publishers Weekly)

an embarassment of richs about the Revolution

This volume joins two others than have entered the Audible roster in recent months, the others by David McCullough & David Hackett Fischer. While not as good as those other two, Edward Lengel's work does have some things going for it. It focuses on Washington & on his whole military career, from the French & Indian War to post-revolutionary times. And it therefore has some very interesting & illuminating observations to make about Washington's pre-1776 career, an area that is not often covered in histories of the period. Second, it is military-centric, so it gives a perspective on military strategy, weapons, tactics, intelligence gathering that is hard to find elsewhere (although Fischer's work does this too, for a smaller slice of time). Third, it gives a good account of Washington's strengths & weaknesses as a commander & a strategist.

I have only given this work 3 stars because much of the material that surrounds those points I make above is of a retread variety, especially for those interested in the period. The author does not give much different focus or interpretation to that contextual material, since his main aim is at military matters. The book is nevertheless well-written, moves along at a good pace, and is valuable if only for the twist of the work toward the battleground & military strategy.