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)

This is a very informative historical book.

This is a very informative historical book with a good presentation. There's a lot of time in this audiobook so it's definitely worth your money or credits.

I was sad once it was over

This book is long (like many have stated) but that's a good thing. It didn't feel rushed nor did it feel dragged out. Sure, some parts were less interesting than others, but that's a personal preference. The voice actor for this annoyed me at 1st (I was used to the one used for Napoleon) but I quickly got over that. his clear voice, somewhat slow speed made it almost relaxing to listen to. Almost as if George Washington himself was talking.

A great story

What a great story about Washington and the beginning of the United States. Like all people Washington was flawed but overcame obstacles, had the ability to change his ideas about slavery, and set the country on a path for success. I will listen to this audiobook and read the book again.

Fascinating

I’ve always been a fan of history and loved learning about the Revolution. This book about Washington has deepened my love for it. We all “know” certain things about him but after visiting Mt. Vernon last autumn (highly recommended) and listening to this book, I have an even deeper appreciation for our first President and his story. I would recommend this book to everyone, no matter how long it takes you to complete it.

Well written

I enjoyed learning about George Washington. I enjoy the author who writes these founding fathers books. He makes it easy to understand what is happening which I have enjoyed a lot. I do get a bit of a kick out of his musings about whether Washington was religious or not after writing that he spent each morning in meditation and prayer. Also not everyone thinks they have to confess their sins to a clergyman when they die. That doesn’t make Washington sound like he doesn’t believe in God to me. I loved learning about everyone. We are all such an imperfect lot it is nice to know it has always been that way!

A Biography Fit for the Father of Our Nation

George Washington, perhaps more than any other man of his time, is worthy of our study, understanding, and emulation. If only every president, and citizen, tried as hard to do the right and moral thing as Washington did the world would be immeasurably better for it. Chernow's biography brings to life this moral man in engaging detail, and without shying away from his failings as well. Chernow is particularly deft in his examination of Washington as a slave owner, something Washington tried earnestly to undo until the end of his life without bringing ruin on himself, his wife, or the slaves. This biography more than succeeds in capturing the life of this larger-than-life figure, and that is a true accomplishment.

VERY Good

Seems very thorough. Great Voice in Scott Brick. Not a fan of assumptions by the author about what people were thinking. He applies today's standards and sounds ridiculous at times. Excellent research.

Brilliantly written and read

Ron Chernow, more than any biographer I have read, brings the character he is portraying alive in a balanced and human way. In “Washington, A Life” I sensed this more than ever, when, during the description of Washington’s last hours of life, I felt real emotion and like I knew all the characters around him and how each must have felt. And how this great General and President would act during his last hours on earth—with his usual dignity and caring for others. Bravo Mr Chernow.

Cannot Recommend it Highly Enough

This book is a behemoth, but worth every minute. It manages to be all at once informative, edifying, and darn entertaining.

Best of the Washington Biographies!!

I have read several biographies about George Washington in my life and this is the best. Well told from both a personal and public life perspective. I learned many things I was previously unaware of in Washington’s life.
Scott Brick as the reader only made it better!