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Washington's Revolution: The Making of America's First Leader
by
A vivid, insightful, essential new account of the formative years that shaped a callow George Washington into an extraordinary leader, from the Bancroft Prize winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist Robert Middlekauff.
George Washington was famously unknowable, a man of deep passions hidden behind a facade of rigid self-control. Yet before he was a great general and president, W ...more
George Washington was famously unknowable, a man of deep passions hidden behind a facade of rigid self-control. Yet before he was a great general and president, W ...more
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Being a big George Washington fan, I wanted to enjoy this book. But I did not. I don't want to spend a ton of words tearing it apart, so let me briefly lay out the central shortcomings:
-Middlekauff is a poor describer of military engagements. He should have steered away from writing about a revolution! The battles are not illumined, but rather discussed quite perfunctorily.
-Perhaps he realized this shortcomings, because he spent far more time describing the troubles related to pay, desertions, ...more
-Middlekauff is a poor describer of military engagements. He should have steered away from writing about a revolution! The battles are not illumined, but rather discussed quite perfunctorily.
-Perhaps he realized this shortcomings, because he spent far more time describing the troubles related to pay, desertions, ...more
I think the narrow focus of this book loses essential context without adding clarity. Read Chernow's complete biography of Washington instead.
The author's contention in writing this book is that George Washington, by taking command of the Continental Army in 1775 and leading it throughout the war to the arrival of peace in the summer of 1783, embodied for America and Americans the Revolution itself. The author does a commendable job in defending this thesis.
George Washington was not a military strategist of exceptional capability who enjoyed victory after victory. In fact, he seldom led his army to victory over the British. From the b ...more
George Washington was not a military strategist of exceptional capability who enjoyed victory after victory. In fact, he seldom led his army to victory over the British. From the b ...more
A deeper look at George Washington and his leadership and vision from his early years through the end of the Revolutionary War. This was an academic look at how Washington was able to always view the big picture throughout his life and while was not perfect, he was able to keep above the immediate issues of the day to outlast and outperform everyone else. There were parts of this book that were a bit dry, but overall I enjoyed the read and developed more of an appreciation for Washington. Oddly,
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A concise survey of the qualities and characteristics that made Washington Washington. First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen--this was GW, the indispensable man for the Revolutionary War's glorious cause. The author makes the assertion that Washington, as no other man could have, embodied the Revolution and carried through to its conclusion with a British recognition of American independence. The supreme qualities Washington cultivated over a lifetime of service pre
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While this book is mainly a broad brush history of the American Revolution, it does focus attention on the attitudes, positions and role that Washington played in bringing the revolution to a successful conclusion.
This seemed a well researched look into Washington's role during the American Revolution. While I was disappointed that the book did not continue into his presidency, I expect that was simply not in the scope of the book.
This book details how events in Washington's life helped mold him into the great leader he eventually became. It seemed as though the author was a bit redundant at times. Made for a tougher read to get through.
Dec 30, 2015
Ron Tenney
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
those interested in the founders, the American Revolution
Washington’s Revolution: The Making of America’s First Leader by Robert Middlekauff
I was interested in reading this book because I found another of his books, “The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789”(one of the volumes in the Oxford History of the United States) to be an amazing history of America’s rise to rebellion. Middlekauff is a fair, thorough and accessible author. Plus, I love reading about George Washington.
This book is limited to the military life of George Washington. ...more
I was interested in reading this book because I found another of his books, “The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789”(one of the volumes in the Oxford History of the United States) to be an amazing history of America’s rise to rebellion. Middlekauff is a fair, thorough and accessible author. Plus, I love reading about George Washington.
This book is limited to the military life of George Washington. ...more
How did the experiences of the War for American Independence shape Washington as a person and leader? This is the big question that Robert Middlekauff sets out to answer.
Washington's Revolution reads like a mixed-genre book: part biography and part military history. Middlekauff begins Washington's Revolution with an overview of Washington's childhood in the Chesapeake region of Virginia during the 1730s and 1740s. This overview establishes Washington's worldview of the British Empire and his pl ...more
Washington's Revolution reads like a mixed-genre book: part biography and part military history. Middlekauff begins Washington's Revolution with an overview of Washington's childhood in the Chesapeake region of Virginia during the 1730s and 1740s. This overview establishes Washington's worldview of the British Empire and his pl ...more
This is a fantastic book about a person who has been elevated to almost god-like status in our society. To be clear, this is not a complete biography on Washington, nor is it a complete account of the American Revolution in its entirety. This book is a combination of both, as it examines the war through his perspective. This book ends shortly after the war ends and does not go into his presidency at all.
There is some assumed knowledge you need before you dive into this book. For example, the au ...more
There is some assumed knowledge you need before you dive into this book. For example, the au ...more
A good book on the life of George Washington. However, this book does not focus on the sequential events of his life, but more on his viewpoints, thoughts, and strategies from his early life in the French & Indian War through the Revolution. Particular emphasis is focused on the struggles Washington dealt with during the Revolution, from an army with inadequate supplies and manpower to working with Congress to provide these necessary compontents. This book reads more like a textbook and can
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This was my first read about George Washington. I really enjoyed the potrayal of our first leader since I haven't focused on this part of his life as a military leader and how he shaped our history during the revolution. I appreciated a closer look at the revolution in his perspective and a clear guide as to the activities of both sies during the campaigns. I got a sense of our Leader's solid character which was presented as thoughtful, logical, fortitude, wise, etc. I appreciated the maps the a
...more
This book focuses mainly on Washington as leader and dealing with an inept bunch of politicians, militiamen, generals, etc. He still facilitated the winning of the war against Britain and put us on the road to representative democracy by coming out of retirement from military service to become our first president (unanimously selected). The book is not as good as say Ellis's 'His Excellency' or Chernow's behemoth biography but it is a decent read. Washington is by far the best president in my op
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"Washington's Revolution" does not delve too deeply into what shaped Washington's character as a leader despite what the title says. I found it to be a valuable book, mostly concentrating on Washington's battles. (Perhaps I am too critical, but the author tells me why Washington is doing what he is doing, but not demonstrating why. I assume the author knows, but he doesn't prove it to me.)
I will be using this book for reference, nevertheless.
I will be using this book for reference, nevertheless.
Good introduction to the revolution and Washington as a man results from a close reading. I got tired of how many times he mentioned naked soldiers, but it reminded me of the thankless travails of those who fought. He mentioned the infamous Loring but not the prison ships that he was in charge of. That was an infamous war crime if ever there was one. To be fair the author remained true to his title and for that he earned his four stars.
I LOVE the history of the American Revolution and am a fan of both Mr. Washington and Mr. Middlekauf. However, I found this book to be thoroughly boring. I kept waiting for it to turn around or improve, but it did not. The book was well-researched and does not try to cast an opinion on the subject matter, so it's not a total loss. But, if you're already familiar with the topic, skip it.
If you are familiar with Washington perhaps this book may not be for you but you would be missing out on a master at work. Middlekauf knows his subject and his times. He is a writes well and keeps the story moving along. The focus, as the title acknowledges, is the Washington of the Revolutionary War years. Those needed to learn a bit about GW could start at much worse places than this.
Excellent book on George Washington who led the Contential Army against the British in the battles fought during the American Revolution. His ability to led his men in the American Revolution through hardships during the winter at Valley Forge and other battles fought made him not only a natural leader of the army, but later on as our nation's first leader.
Very interesting and insightful read. Part biography, part history, this book evaluates the American Revolution in terms of the impact and influence it had on Washington, and, vice versa, Washington's impact and influence on the Revolution. Worth reading.
Not nearly as good as his previous works. Very repetitious. Reminds readers on almost every page that Washington's army lacked adequate supplies.
This book examines the incidents that were important in
Washington's career and life that helped shape him and make him into the leader that became the first President of the U.S.
Washington's career and life that helped shape him and make him into the leader that became the first President of the U.S.
Reads too much like a periodical or a lecture. Couldn't get engaged with this one.
Well done non-fiction.
Interesting historical perspective on how Washington's viewpoint changed to envision an America that must be "free" from British rule.
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