NCJ Number
208850
Date Published
1996
Length
237 pages
Annotation
This book presents a “moral biography” of George Washington.
Abstract
In the introduction, the author contends that in recent years there has been a distancing of the American public from the historical figure of George Washington. No longer do mothers name their newborns after him and he is becoming ever more remote in American classrooms. This book is not meant to present a life history of George Washington, but rather to offer a moral review of his professional life. The first section describes Washington during the Revolutionary War, during the debate over the Constitution, and through his presidency. The chapters in this section focus on how Washington kept the American military committed to fighting for the freedom of the Nation during the war and discuss the way in which Washington helped to transform the American government while keeping peace among opponents of the change. The first section also describes two crises that occurred during Washington’s second term and illustrates how Washington’s resolve played a key part in America’s commitment to self-government. The second section examines Washington’s nature, his morals, and his ideas. The three chapters in this section focus on his professional life, explaining that he was able to accomplish all that he did because of the strength of his character. His personal life is focused on only when it directly impacts his professional life. The third and final section discusses the implications of viewing Washington as the “Founding Father” of the United States, which began before there was actually a country to be fathered. The chapters in this section suggest that the contemporary notion of “father” now reeks of failure, perhaps further distancing the American public from the historical figure of George Washington. The author hopes that by offering this moral biography of Washington, Americans will be moved yet again by this great man. Notes, index