Book details

George Washington

The American Presidents Series: The 1st President, 1789-1797

The American Presidents

Author: James MacGregor Burns and Susan Dunn; Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., General Editor

George Washington

George Washington

About This Book

A premier leadership scholar and an eighteenth-century expert define the special contributions and qualifications of our first president

Revolutionary hero, founding president,...

Page Count
208
On Sale
12/17/2013

Book Details

A premier leadership scholar and an eighteenth-century expert define the special contributions and qualifications of our first president

Revolutionary hero, founding president, and first citizen of the young republic, George Washington was the most illustrious public man of his time, a man whose image today is the result of the careful grooming of his public persona to include the themes of character, self-sacrifice, and destiny.

As Washington sought to interpret the Constitution's assignment of powers to the executive branch and to establish precedent for future leaders, he relied on his key advisers and looked to form consensus as the guiding principle of government. His is a legacy of a successful experiment in collective leadership, great initiatives in establishing a strong executive branch, and the formulation of innovative and lasting economic and foreign policies. James MacGregor Burns and Susan Dunn also trace the arc of Washington's increasing dissatisfaction with public life and the seeds of dissent and political parties that, ironically, grew from his insistence on consensus. In this compelling and balanced biography, Burns and Dunn give us a rich portrait of the man behind the carefully crafted mythology.

Imprint Publisher

Times Books

ISBN

9781466860568

In The News

"A frank appraisal of how Washington inadvertently sowed the seeds of political discord even as he developed national unity."—Publishers Weekly

"This scholarly analysis of the inaugural presidency provides an enlightening new slant on a timeless subject."—Booklist

“This excellent series of biographies, each written by an eminent historian, is a rich and rewarding listening experience.” —AudioFile

“A publishing milestone...Schlesinger, a master craftsman, is imposing his high standards on these books. Hail to the chief. It's a wonderful series” —Chicago Sun-Times

About the Creators

George Washington

George Washington