Washington

A Life

By: Ron Chernow

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 41 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Pulitzer Prize, Biography/Autobiography, 2011

From National Book Award winner Ron Chernow, a landmark biography of George Washington.

In Washington: A Life celebrated biographer Ron Chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation. With a breadth and depth matched by no other one-volume life of Washington, this crisply paced narrative carries the listener through his troubled boyhood, his precocious feats in the French and Indian War, his creation of Mount Vernon, his heroic exploits with the Continental Army, his presiding over the Constitutional Convention, and his magnificent performance as America's first president.

Despite the reverence his name inspires, Washington remains a lifeless waxwork for many Americans, worthy but dull. A laconic man of granite self-control, he often arouses more respect than affection. In this groundbreaking work, based on massive research, Chernow dashes forever the stereotype of a stolid, unemotional man.

A strapping six feet, Washington was a celebrated horseman, elegant dancer, and tireless hunter, with a fiercely guarded emotional life. Chernow brings to vivid life a dashing, passionate man of fiery opinions and many moods. Probing his private life, he explores his fraught relationship with his crusty mother, his youthful infatuation with the married Sally Fairfax, and his often conflicted feelings toward his adopted children and grandchildren. He also provides a lavishly detailed portrait of his marriage to Martha and his complex behavior as a slave master.

At the same time, Washington is an astute and surprising portrait of a canny political genius who knew how to inspire people. Not only did Washington gather around himself the foremost figures of the age, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, but he also brilliantly orchestrated their actions to shape the new federal government, define the separation of powers, and establish the office of the presidency.

©2010 Ron Chernow (P)2010 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Tenaciously researched...This new portrait offers a fresh sense of what a groundbreaking role Washington played, not only in physically embodying his new nation's leadership but also in interpreting how its newly articulated constitutional principles would be applied...deeply rewarding.” ( New York Times)

"Just as he resuscitated Alexander Hamilton in a heralded 2004 biography, Ron Chernow now resurrects Washington...[A] remarkable book." ( Entertainment Weekly)

"Whether he's debunking the legend of Washington's wooden teeth (ivory that cracked and discolored over time) or the purely fictional tale of the cherry tree, the massive yet briskly paced Washington: A Life is a rollicking read, sure to redefine perceptions and correct assumptions." ( Kirkus Reviews)

chernow's Washington.

excellent balance of politics and personal life.. story moves along well over the hours.

Filled many gaps in my knowledge of the Revolution

I studied American History in high school but not in college, and I possessed the general knowledge of aware adults, but this biography taught me much of what I didn't know--such as the enmity between Washington and Jefferson and the unfounded fear among many that Washington's goal was to establish a monarchy. I hadn't known how strapped Washington was for funds or how unwelcome strangers, curious about the general, flocked into Mount Vernon because there was no one to stop them.

The material was very thorough--at times too much so for me, as when Chernow delved into the minutiae of the Washington dinnerware. Other readers might be fascinated by these details, though.

I enjoyed this book, and Scott Brick did a solid job as a narrator. He was smooth if a little slow, but he was pleasant to listen to.

A Great Book on Washington

Ron Chernow does a fantastic job of pulling together Washington history, as well as his personality, and the concurrent events that are influencing the his actions and others around him. He deals with how Washington's personality, ethical standards, and educational development are molded into the man that was visible to the public eye. He does a great job of contrasting on one hand Washington's passion for liberty, and a republic while at the same time maintaining slavery at Mount Vernon. I suggested reading this book for leadership development to some other colleagues at work.
I read Hamilton prior to reading (listening) to this book and they dove tail together extremely well, but it is surprising how little Chernow deals with Hamilton in this book. I was worried that they would be covering the same events with little new information, but that was not the case. After reading two books by Chernow as I read through the early US history, I will say, I can't stand Jefferson and Madison. From Chernow's viewpoint I would say these were despicable people that history seems to have overlooked their ethical lapses and misdirection of the country to gain political power. On the other hand it helps put current political infighting into a frame of reference. Somehow it would be refreshing to have a president that instead of being filled with hubris as he starts his second term would be like Washington expressing his hesitation about being worthy to lead a great country.

Simply amazing

I would first like the day that the narrator was amazing brilliant. The voice was a perfect combination with the time piece. Overall the book it's self gave me a new look on a great man. I would recommend it to anyone.

Best Biography I've Ever Read

I read mostly nonfiction, history and current events. This is by far the best biography I've ever read. It brings Washington to life, warts and all. He was the greatest American to ever live, if not the greatest man in history. He had flaws, as we all do. In his youth he made some really bad decisions and blunders, e.g., the debacle at Ft. Necessity where he chose a terrible place to make a stand against the French and Indians. His loss of control of his troops may have led to a massacre of French troops that started the French and Indian War, then after being overrun at Ft. Necessity he signed surrender papers that admitted he committed war crimes. All that said, he learned from his mistakes, was charismatic, and when he had the chance to be the "man on horseback" and be a Caesar, he said no. I've always admired him, and after listening to this book (the narration is great too) I love him.

excellent read

well written and read. a must read for history buffs and Washington fans. great man and leader but not a very good general

excellent

couldn't stop listening. chernov never fails to entertain and enlighten me. also recommend reading Hamilton.

Great biography on G.W.

Overall I would recommend this book. It would seem to be the best overall biography on G.W. for audible. I do have one or two critiques.

One thing that particularly bothered me is the additional "Jiminy Cricket" past tense conscious voice that keeps cropping up from the author anytime slavery or injustices were done to Native Americans. For the vast majority of us we know slavery was wrong. We know injustices happened to the Natives. Both are a hard thing to deal with and talk about. However we don't need to go down so many paths of "what ifs" G.W. had taken the moral high ground at such and such a time. It was looked at differently back then, culture was different, living was harder. Let's stick to the facts and not throw in so many second opinions and guesses on the moral of G.W. and those surrounding him based on hindsight.

VERY INTERESTING AND WELL WRITTEN

Loved learning more about George Washington, 1700's life, plus stories of the Revolutionary War.

Awesome

Very balanced and told the good and the imperfections of Washington. Loved it!!! The Author did a great job.