What Would George Do?: Washington, on Civility in a Changing America

At first glance, the world of the twenty-first century and the world of our first president could hardly be more different. Modern life is filled with distractions from technology, hectic schedules, and multitasking. However, George Washington lived through a time of great turmoil. As a general and politician, he was subject to stressors to an extreme that most of us will never know. Graciousness and dignity, however, were his hallmarks, and he lived his life by the code defined in The Rules of Civility.

People make great efforts to be civil. While compassion and concern for the well-being of others can be lost beneath the shuffle of our daily lives, it still exists. This practical and elegant guide offers valuable lessons for inner tranquility, such as the difference between working hard and always being in a hurry, as well as a guide for social situations, including the importance of quality time with others, table manners, romantic propriety, and congenial communication. While technology has moved forward, the question "What would George Washington do?" has become more relevant than ever.

Nan Marshall, whose family's roots trace back to colonial America, team-writes with her daughter Helen Broder. Marshall writes for business and family publications in coastal South Carolina and Georgia. Her stories focus primarily on social change and its leaders. By combining her experiences and skill sets with those of her daughter, Marshall uses her writing to show that life lessons can be learned from people across generational gaps. After writing curricula for the gifted, Marshall taught in both private and inner-city public schools for fifteen years. She owned three restaurants and founded a highly successful pension-administration firm, which designed understandable formats and simplified language for 401(k) plans. She is a faithful member of her church and the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Marshall graduated from Vassar College with a BA in history and from Georgia State University with a MA in early education. She enjoys traveling, reading, and swimming. She lives with her husband, Gene, in Savannah, Georgia.