Washington's Farewell

The Founding Father's Warning to Future Generations

By: John Avlon

Narrated by: John Avlon

“A vivid portrait…and thoughtful consideration of George Washington’s wisdom that couldn’t be timelier” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). A revealing look at the first President’s Farewell Address, a still-relevant warning against partisan politics and foreign entanglements.

George Washington’s Farewell Address was a prophetic letter he wrote to his fellow citizens and signed from a “parting friend,” addressing the forces he feared could destroy our democracy: hyper-partisanship, excessive debt, and foreign wars. In it, Washington called for unity among “citizens by birth or choice,” advocated moderation, defended religious pluralism, proposed a foreign policy of independence (not isolation), and proposed that education is essential to democracy. He established the precedent for the peaceful transfer of power.

Washington’s urgent message was adopted by Jefferson after years of opposition and quoted by Lincoln in defense of the Union. Woodrow Wilson invoked it for nation-building; Eisenhower for Cold War; Reagan for religion. Once celebrated as civic scripture, more widely reprinted than the Declaration of Independence, the Farewell Address is now almost forgotten. Yet its message remains starkly relevant today. In Washington’s Farewell, John Avlon offers a stunning portrait of our first president and his battle to save America from self-destruction.

Washington’s Farewell “brings to light Washington’s goodbye by elucidating what it meant not only during the early days of the republic, but its lasting effect through the centuries” (Library Journal, starred review). Now the Farewell Address may inspire a new generation to re-center their politics and reunite our nation through the lessons rooted in Washington’s shared experience.

Please young Americans, READ/LISTEN to this book. It’s important to your future.

As a senior fellow American, I was deeply impressed with the wisdom of our first president of the United States. Washington’s farewell address is incredibly important to understand, but because it was published in 1796, I mistakenly thought it would be difficult. He speaks to us as if he knows what is happening at this very moment, and he has very important information we need to hear. John Avlon has done a fantastic job of researching and presenting it to us. In the final chapter, he includes the actual address, so please everyone, READ and LISTEN to it. What you know now can make an incredible difference in what becomes of our country. This book is particularly important for you, our youth.

Great analysis, story and humanity

Exceptional research, analysis and reading. The author's care, interpretation and respect to men living and dead enables this work to be enthralling. I did not dissect each interpretation of origin made by the author but from what I could glean, I am confident there was a great justice done.

Besides the work in analysis of the writing, the story itself and the ties to the framers was a boon to my understanding of these United States.

Fascinating treatment of something we all should know but don’t anymore

Great book! Interesting topic and a very “user friendly” treatment of it. I’m sad we don’t all spend more time studying this important address these days. Maybe if people did we’d be in a different place as a nation. I will look forward to listening to this one again!

Great overall, like the man who is its subject!

A wonderful retelling of the formation of Washington's Farewell Address and then its impact upon subsequent American history, performed by the author, so he knows the material and has a good steady voice. A pleasure to listen to to the last word.

Deep insights into our first President

I have a degree in PoliSci and learned so much about the founding principles and struggles of our country, as well as the evolution that got us to where we are. This book should be required reading for and political candidate.