Washington

A Life

By: Ron Chernow

Narrated by: Scott Brick

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)

A 'must' for history buffs

I'm neither an historian nor an academic nor can I say it as well as the first 5 reviews but I am really enjoying this 40 hour romp through the Revolutionary/Founding Father's era. It is not a simple recitation of events or a rehash of the hundreds of other bios that have already been written (including those recently written by McCullough or Ellis). Chernow gives an in-depth look at the man and his times--and he does so with a new perspective and with much detail. More than any bio I have read of Washington, Chernow uses Washington's own papers as well as other first hand sources to get beyond the myth and tell us who this man really was--and give some explanation of why he thinks his interpretation of the material supports his conclusions.

Now, if the audio file could only include jpg's of the paintings and sculptures referred to in the book.

Great Book!

As a relative amateur Revolutionary War Historian, I found this book to be fascinating! I have read in the area of 35 books on the period and have not found the detail that the author has offered in this book. It gives on a far better understanding of the life in this era than any other book that I have read, and I have tried to read them all! A must read.

Exceedingly interesting but dump the last third.

This book is Washington from pre-birth to post death and everything in between. It is definitely one of my favorite books ever, and one of my first American history listens. I won't spend any time telling you how great Washington was, he was obviously that. It's beyond interesting to hear how he interacted with and inspired his contemporaries. It was also interesting how individuals like Hamilton and John Jay made made gigantic contributions to our Contry's formation. It was also revealing how he had American adversaries later in life, such as Jefferson. The picture the book paints of Washington the man is fantastic too. He really comes to life, and is revealed to be a man's man, athlete, pioneer, and consumate politition. I read this book because one day not long ago my 12 year old told me that she had heard Washington was "a racist". I responded to her that I did not know, but I would find out. Turns out he was one of the most enlighted slave owners of his generation (and beyond). Did he own slaves, yes. But he also treated them better than most, and freed them after his death. In the era, that was the equivalent of giving away your money. The narrator is great, the vocabulary is ancient, but fun, but the book is far too long. I listened to every minute of the 42 hours, and would tell you that, aside from the French revolution and section involving his death, the last third of the book (after he exits the presidency) is not satisfying. Give it a try. You will grow to love your first president.

indispensible

This book brought the man and his times to life. It's better than any biography of George in its honesty and completeness.

Washington brought to life

Any additional comments?

Ron Chernow presents a rich and fascinating portrait of a man who guided his nation through its most fragile period. This book helped me understand Washington as a human being, and in so doing gave me a much greater respect and appreciation for his accomplishments. Scott Brick does a solid job narrating, staying in the background and letting the story tell itself.

Absolutely Remarkable

Excellent book, excellent narration. Chernow provides a great balance of the somewhat trivial with all the good meaty stuff. Every time I start thinking he is getting just a little too detailed, he wraps it up and moves on. This book, and the Hamilton book, demonstrate just how fantastic a biographer Ron Chernow is.

A Balanced View Of the Personality of Washington

If you could sum up Washington: A Life in three words, what would they be?

Extraordinary, courageous and lucky.

What did you like best about this story?

For me, it was a nice followup to David McCullough's "1776". The character description balanced the heroic figure with his flaws and vulnerability under pressure.

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Kept my attention with his clear, well modulated narration.

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

No-but it made me even more respectful of the great man that George Washington was

Any additional comments?

This is a great read for anyone who enjoys biographies of great historical figures.

Very Informative

After reading this book I feel far more informed about the reasons why our country was founded, who was most instrumental in accomplishing that feat, and what challenges they faced.

Long but well done

This account of GW delivers what it says it will, a whole picture of the whole man. It doesn’t avoid his faults but manages to show his extraordinary character and resolve to fight for the creation of the United States of America. There would never be this country if not for George Washington- no doubt about it. Truly a remarkable man & selfless warrior - who comes along every 2-5 hundred years. We are beyond fortunate to be living in the USA. No other country exists like us.

Strong preformance

While at times feeling like a hagiography it does a great job of providing a source based biography of Washington.