The First of Men: A Life of George Washington
by John E. Ferling
86 Members (4.08)
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"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 show more 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"--Provided by publisher. show lessTags
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Author Information
20+ Works 4,368 Members
John Ferling is professor emeritus of history at the University of West Georgia. He is the author of many books on American Revolutionary history, including Independence; The Ascent of George Washington; Almost a Miracle, the acclaimed military history of the War of Independence; the award-winning A Leap in the Dark; and Setting the World Ablaze. show more He and his wife, Carol, live near Atlanta, Georgia. show less
Some Editions
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1988
- People/Characters
- George Washington
- Important places
- USA
- Important events
- American Revolution (1775 | 1783)
- Epigraph
- The American Revolution ... is fixed forever. Washington began it with energy and finished it with moderation.
--LOUISE FONTANES, 1800
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Soon bears us all away;
We fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the op'ning day.
--ISAAC WATTS - First words
- In 1732 George II sat on the throne of England, a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church directed the foreign policy of France, and almost every member of the Pennsylvania Assembly was a Quaker.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)But George Washington could have done just that.
- Blurbers
- Martin, James Kirby; Edgerton, K.; Eccles, W. J.; Oates, Stephen B.
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, History, General Nonfiction, Business
- DDC/MDS
- 973.4 — History & geography History of North America United States Constitutional period (1789-1809)
- LCC
- E312 .F47 — History of the United States United States Revolution to the Civil War, 1775/1783-1861 By period 1789-1809. Constitutional period Washington's administrations, 1789-1797
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 86
- Popularity
- 371,346
- Rating
- (4.08)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 6
- ASINs
- 2
