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Washington  By  cover art

Washington

By: Ron Chernow
Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
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Publisher's summary

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)

What listeners say about Washington

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book, Great Reader

I usually prefer unabridged audio books, but in this case I chose the abridged (about 2/3 length) version because it was read by a favorite, Edward Herrman. A good choice as it turned out. The story moved briskly, but with no noticeable missing parts, and kept my attention throughout.

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16 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Get the unabridged version!

What did you love best about Washington: A Life?

Chernow does a great job of telling Washington's story in a way that reads like a novel, instead of a biography. This account does a good job of detailing parts of Washington's life outside of the Revolutionary War, including his home life, details about his presidency, his treatment and feelings towards slaves, etc.

Any additional comments?

If you're thinking about purchasing the abridged version, I would recommend getting the unabridged version instead. The shortened version skimps on many important moments of Washington's early life, his time as Commander in Chief, and life post-Presidency. If you are looking for a broad sweep of Washington as a whole, the shortened version may be for you. But if you are looking at a more in-depth account of Washington's life, you'll get much more from the unabridged version.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

I've read four recognized biographies of Washington, but if there is only one to choose, make it this one.The teaching of history nowadays is sadly lacking and Washington is just a cardboard figure in the minds of most Americans. This, more than the others, brings him to life.

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6 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

G W definitely the Father of our USA

What did you love best about Washington: A Life?

A story of a mortal who achieved immortality.

What did you like best about this story?

The story of the personage of Washington.

Which scene was your favorite?

Braddock"s military diaster and where GW became a circumspect solider and leader.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me glad I spent my time learning about a great man.

Any additional comments?

Well done. Herrman is a 1st class narrator

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Washington rendered human

I’ve always thought Washington to be this mythic figure almost, primarily because of how he was presented to me in history classes. Chernow’s book presents his as he was: human, like all the rest of us. It is an excellent account of his life as well as the early days of the United States. Herrmann’s narration is exquisite, so much so that I now search for books he’s narrated.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

History ......

Learn it or lose it. Now isn’t the time to forget the importance of what the founding fathers went through.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Ron Chernow is a rock star

I’ve become a big fan of laundry now and his ability to capture history while keeping the book interesting. If you have not experienced his exceptional writing style and we’ll-researched histories you are missing out.

Great stuff. And, Edward Herman (RIP) is brilliant in his reading.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

ABSORBING HISTORY

There are two heroes of this production Washington himself, and the narrator, Edward Herrmann.
.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

AMAZING!!

A perfect rendition of our greatest Commander and Chief!! This is a MUST READ for every American.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Telling of a Great Man

This is an excellent telling of a great man in a way that gives a holistic perspective of the general and president.

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