American Legends - The Life of George Washington

Editors Charles River

Summary

A lot of ink has been spilled covering the lives of history’s most influential figures, but how much of the forest is lost for the trees? In Charles River Editors’ American Legends series, readers can get caught up to speed on the lives of America’s most important men and women in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known.

Every American is taught a pristine narrative of the life and legacy of George Washington and can easily recite the highlights of the “Father of Our Country”. The remarkable Virginian led an under-resourced rag-tag army to ultimate victory in the American Revolution before becoming the nation’s first president, setting it on its path toward superpower status. He may not have actually chopped down a cherry tree or tossed a silver dollar across the Potomac, but his contemporaries considered his character above reproach. When Washington voluntary resigned as commander of the armies, he stunned the world. Everyone in the colonies and the world realized that Washington, at the head of the last army standing in the colonies, could have made himself king of the new United States on the spot, and it would have been a move supported by his rank and file soldiers. Instead, Washington became the first Westerner to voluntarily demobilize his army, ensuring civilian control of the new nation. King George III called Washington "the greatest character of the age" for making that decision.

As President from 1788-1796, Washington set every precedent for the executive branch of the new government, from forming a “Cabinet” to limiting himself to two terms. He even set precedents with his farewell address, which helped guide the policies of subsequent presidents.

Washington did more than any other man to ensure the success of the American Revolution and the safe passage of the new United States from fledgling nation to budding power, but what actually made the man tick? Underneath his steel surface burned an almost insatiable political ambition, and a man who was acutely self-conscious of himself. In addition to highlighting his life and legacy, American Legends: The Life of George Washington humanizes the leader who is now remembered more like a flawless demigod than a man. Along with pictures of the Father of Our Country and other important people and events in his life, you will learn about Washington like you never have before, in no time at all.

Available since: 05/02/2025.

Print length: 45 pages.

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