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)

Good listen, but you need plenty of time

Would you listen to Washington: A Life again? Why?

No. So much of the book was fascinating, but it was punctuated with much trivial minutae that would make it impossible to hear again. They were pesky weeds in a magnificent garden.

I encourage listening to it though, as this portrayal of Washington compellingly makes you see and comprehend his greatness

What was one of the most memorable moments of Washington: A Life?

Washington's struggles at Valley Forge made a folly of any problems with endurance that I might have ever had.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

His intonations, inflections, pitch, and rhythm were superior and consistent throughout this long reading.

Any additional comments?

I suspect this book is longer than the average audible book, so you need to allot significant time for it

Amazing

Excellent book. Very detailed and I was moved by the sacrifice Washington went through to fight against tyranny while being a slave owner.

George Washington a real person.

He was a real person. not just someone to just read about.
real personality.A real human with feelings and emotions.

Eye-opening

I knew as much about George Washington as the average person, so hoped this book would fill in my knowledge gaps, and did it ever. By the time I got to the end (40 hours later) I was sad when George died even though it was 200 years ago! This book gave me a lot to think about, from the issue of slavery (how different would our world have been) to the choices that George Washington made ( stepping down from power in a precedent setting way). It's a big book but by the time I got to the end I wasn't quite ready for the story to close.

Great Read

Ron Chernow and Scott Brick never disappoint. Washington: A Life is a must read for any history buff.

A Well Balanced Look at George Washington

I have long admired George Washington and, while some of that has been because of the myths that started only a short time after his death, this book has only deepened that admiration as I have witnessed the human frailties and trials of the man. That Britain seemed so bent on marginalizing the American colonists even before the French and Indian War and that it caused the underlying mistrust Washington held for Britain was eye-opening. Interestingly enough the French and Indian War was not so one-sidedly caused by the colonists as some history books try to claim. Something this book first presented to my mind. Washington's constant battles with money, his mother and his feelings about slavery were equally eye-opening and truly made him seem so much more personable and yet heroic to me. The name of George Washington should forever hold an honored spot in the heart of every being who professes to hold liberty dear.

Must Listen (Read)

What a comprehensive book over Washington’s life. I learned quite a lot and gave me great insight into the why for some of our countries traditions and norms. Never felt board, even though it is a long book. I preferred listening at 1.1x, since it seemed more natural and reduced total listening time.

Excellent book on Washington. warts and all

Loved the book. Love Scott Brick's voice and style. Enjoyed everything about it. Thank you for writing it snd recording it!

this book had my crying. I don't want it to end.

this is by far the best book I have listened to on George Washington. It's well written and very exciting. I am so enthusiastic about our father Washington

More than a myth, but less than a god.

This is by far my favorite biography on Washington that I’ve ever come across. Starting as a young boy who never had a higher class formal educational, to the French and Indian war and eventually the Revolutionary war, his way was paved by a humbleness and quiet reserve. Chernow’s take on this presidential legend, breaks through the mythology to get at what made this man such an effective force for independence while at the same time, showing he was fallible in the face of his own ambitions and desires. I’ve never been so enthralled by such detailed subject matter. Scott Brick is my go to narrator as much as possible and shines here. His narration isn’t distracting or over the top, but conveys heavy weighty subjects and levity in a subdued manner. I was sad when this book came to an end as I now have to compare other biographies to this tome. I’ve never shed a tear for a past President until finishing this phenomenal book.