Apostle of Liberty: The World-Changing Leadership of George Washington

Leaders in Action

by Stephen Mcdowell, David Vaughan (Editor)

Apostle of The World-Changing Leadership of George Washington' is a biography of the great man, but in truth it is more than a mere biography. It also looks at his unique personal qualities as a leader and how these qualities marked him as a leader among leaders. In doing so, it reveals a man whose greatness did not stem from oratorical skills, superior knowledge, or brilliant military tactics, but from virtue. He understood his duty and his proper role in the fledgling nation, and he pursued it with an invincible resolution. Largely, this was due to his belief that God in his providence had chosen him to lead the new nation that was founded on liberty?civil, religious, and economic?and that the experiment that began under his leadership as president of the Constitutional Convention and was successful under his leadership in battle would prosper under his leadership and change the world if given the opportunity to succeed.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[Samuel Sadler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book of the Leaders in Action series that I have read. This biography has a two part structure: it begins with a chronological narrative of his life and then follows with a series of themes played out through Washington's life. This format allows the biography to establish the chronology and character of the American Father without becoming too cumbersome. McDowell helpfully emphasizes Washington's Christianity, disarming many of the current arguments for a deist Washington. An excellent introduction to the man renowned worldwide in his day.

[William Bahr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hits the "Mark": "Twelve out of twelve"!

I found this to be a wonderful book about George Washington as a leader of character. Per the author’s forward, he aimed to write a book that suggests religion was an important part of Washington’s life. Through some 568 documented footnotes -- 12 in the Introduction, 202 in Part I (The Life of George Washington, 338 in Part 2 (The Character of George Washington), and 16 in Part 3 (The Legacy of George Washington), he has succeeded admirably. With some 320 pages in the book, this averages to almost two referenced items per page, with most of them referring to quotes. And the book's title is even a quote -- "By common consent, Washington is regarded as not merely the Hero of the American Revolution, but the World's Apostle of Liberty."

The author is “religious” in providing documentation for the vast majority of his assertions. One should keep in mind, though, that much of the material for George Washington comes from secondary research (other books), most of which was written well after Washington had passed from the scene. The author does mention that Mason Weem’s biographical efforts might have some element as fable but should not be totally discounted. As far as discounting, however, I know from research elsewhere into secondary sources on Washington that books written in the 1860s about him frequently introduced his quotes along the otherwise undocumented lines of “In reply to a gentleman, Washington said,…” Along with this, there are quite a few references from Jared Sparks’ “Life of Washington,” a work which has been criticized for altering the text of some of Washington’s writings. Nevertheless, the author’s quotation collection is a treasure for interested readers to marvel at and for serious scholars to appreciatively delve deeper.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that there are a few questionable items sprinkled throughout the book. For example, on page 17, the author attributes the "Apostle of Liberty" quote in the first paragraph above to Thomas Paine. However, I discovered that it's the same quote seemingly originating from J. F. Schroeder in his 1854 edition of "Maxims of Washington." Also, curiously, Paine is described by John Remsburg in a 1916 address as the "Apostle of Liberty." One wonders if there's some confusion, as I could find no other sources attributing the quote to Paine. On page 73, the author has Patrick Henry saying John Rutledge was the greatest orator in the First Continental Congress. Actually, Henry was referring to Edward Rutledge, John's younger brother. Also, on page 104, the author mentions that Frederick the Great sent Washington a sword as a gift with the message, “from the oldest general in Europe to the greatest in the world.” This is documented from Kirkland’s 1857 “Memoirs of Washington.” However, historians today doubt whether Frederick really gave Washington a sword. Mount Vernon makes no mention of it that I can find. On page 109, the author mentions Houdon working on molds of Washington to make the statue that stands in the Virginia capitol at Richmond. My understanding is the head came from Houdon’s life-mask of Washington, but that the body came from model of Gouverneur Morris, who resembled Washington, made while Morris was in France. On page 156, the author mentions that the Scottish Masonic Rite has 32 degrees; I believe there are 33 degrees. Another example is the author’s comment on page 218 that Washington’s mother died when she was 85 years old. Most sources say that she died at age 80-82 years.

All this said, the book is very well written and superbly documented! From a fellow author, highly recommended!

[Karla Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a great many books on George Washington. Washington is by far my favorite American President. I once won a Phi Alpha Theta award for a research paper I wrote on the exemplary character of this great man. In fact, I open my new book The Reformation of America with an essay developed from that winning paper. That being said, I have never read a book on Washington as stellar as this one.

McDowell has written a fabulous tribute to a wondrous man of American history. This book should be in every home library, and in every American student’s education. It is a refreshing read of a true hero of American liberty. I’m so glad to have read it.

[Andrea M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the biographies I've read, this one stands out as an account of God's hand in preserving and guiding this great American leader. The book has two sections, the biography and a series of chapters by topic on various virtues George exemplified. This book doesn't have all the scholarly details that comprise other biographies but I liked the emphasis and I would recommend it to young readers. The format is small so the page number doesn't really give you an idea of how long it is. I would say the book takes a few hours to read especially if you just read the biography and skim the other chapters that interest you.

[Mikki Cabrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I will recommend to everyone who desires to understand the found of this country and particularly George Washington and the immense part he played in the founding of it. He is without a doubt the singular Father of our Country.

After reading this book, I find that I have a deep love and admiration for him and hope that I can live to be like him and also that I can do for our country and mankind what I can, so that his life will not have been in vain.

HIghly, highly recommend this!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are very few heroes left to us in this modern world. In a time when we can no longer talk about religion, it is inspiring to find a religious hero like George Washington. This book not only introduces us to this great man's providential life but also the character traits and virtues that made him a leader that a whole nation wanted to follow. We could teach ways to live a good life just by stories from his own.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite comprehensive enough for my taste, but still a good book. It explored more of Washington's character than other books I've read about him.