Synopsis
Written by John Ferling, one of America's leading historians of the Revolutionary era, The First of Men offers an illuminating portrait of George Washington's life, with emphasis on his military and political career.
Here is a riveting account that captures Washington in all his complexity, recounting not only Washington's familiar sterling qualities--courage, industry, ability to make difficult decisions, ceaseless striving for self-improvement, love of his family and loyalty to friends--but also his less well known character flaws. Indeed, as Ferling shows, Washington had to overcome many negative traits as he matured into a leader. The young Washington was accused of ingratitude and certain of his letters from this period read as if they were written by "a pompous martinet and a whining, petulant brat." As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, he lost his temper more than once and indulged flatterers. Aaron Burr found him "a boring, colorless person." As president, he often believed the worst about individual officials. Ferling concludes that Washington's personality and temperament were those of "a self-centered and self-absorbed man, one who since youth had exhibited a fragile self-esteem." And yet he managed to realize virtually every grand design he ever conceived. Ferling's Washington is driven, fired by ambition, envy, and dreams of fame and fortune. Yet his leadership and character galvanized the American Revolution--probably no one else could have kept the war going until the master stroke at Yorktown--and helped the fledgling nation take, and survive, its first unsteady steps.
This superb paperback makes available once again an unflinchingly honest and compelling biography of the father of our country.
Reviews
In addition to reviewing the first president's familiar sterling attributes, Ferling, a historian at West Georgia College, focuses on his character flaws, although here there isn't a great deal of material to work with. The young Washington was accused of ingratitude, and certain of his letters from this period read as if they were written by "a pompous martinet and a whining, petulant brat." As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, he lost his temper more than once and may have indulged a flatterer or two on his staff. Aaron Burr found him "a boring, colorless person." As president, he was ready to believe the worst about individual officials, before all the evidence was in. Ferling concludes that Washington's personality and temperament were those of "a self-centered and self-absorbed man, one who since youth had exhibited a fragile self-esteem." He nevertheless managed to realize virtually every grand design he ever conceived, as the biographer fully demonstrates.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Ferling's Washington is driven, fired by ambition, envy, and dreams of fame and fortune. He could be rash, even reckless, in pursuit of his goals; his formidable temper erupted at real and fancied slights. Yet in leadership and character he symbolized the American Revolution; no one else could have kept the war going until the master stroke at Yorktown. At proper times, both militarily and personally, he exhibited an almost inhuman self-restraint. "At the core of his being lay the compelling drive . . . for self-enhancement," writes Ferling, "and all his life Washington had sought to learn the techniques that would facilitate his yearnings." A compelling biography, judicious and searching in its quest for the connections between the private and public man. Harry W. Fritz, Univ. of Montana, Missoula
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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