George Washington (Vol 2): Young Washington

George Washington #2

by Douglas Southall Freeman

Genres: Biography, History, American History, Nonfiction, Presidents

464 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

The son of a Confederate veteran, Douglas Southall Freeman was long interested in the Civil War. A man of intense work ethic, he earned his PhD at 22, then balanced a journalist's demanding schedule with a historian's, as he churned out Lee's Dispatches (1915), the Pulitzer-Prize-winning four-volume R. E. Lee: A Biography (1934-35), Lee's Lieutenants: A Study in Command (1942-44), and finally, the multi-volume George Washington (1948-54). A respected historian, renown for his research, he garnered fame in his native Virginia and the friendship of major military figures.

Reviews

[Micah Douthit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume mostly covered Washington's role in the French and Indian War. Freeman is at his best when he is writing military history. A joy to read.

"Discipline is the soul of an army"

"He had, likewise, what many of his contemporaries would have regarded as a deficiency if he had spoken of it: there was for him no rock of refuge in religion. Not once in his letters had he quoted Holy Writ or the Prayer Book of the church into which he had been baptized. He believed in Providence but sometimes he thought the rightful name was Destiny. Instead of adhering to a creedal religion he held steadfastly, almost ostentatiously, to the principles of conduct he regarded as the code of gentlemen.
The foundations of that code were not love and mercy, faith and sacrifice, but honesty and duty, truth and justice, justice exact and inclusive, justice that never for an instant overlooked his own interests. Justice demanded that he do his utmost and that, in return, he receive what he had earned, whether it was the public esteem he cherished or the last penny due him by "the country" for the food of every batman the letter of military regulations allowed him. "

[Stephen Morrissey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freeman's epic, seven-volume series on George Washington picks up the pace in Vol. II, as young Washington lurches from his defeat at Fort Necessity to the campaigns of Braddock and Forbes during the opening salvos of the French & Indian War. Most fascinating in Freeman's narrative is the pugnacious and patient character developing before the reader's eyes: in one sense, Washington yearns for "honor" (what we might call reputation) and goes so far as to travel to Boston to impress upon British military commanders that he is the ideal candidate to reclaim the Ohio territories and defeat the French and Indians at Fort Duquesne once and for all; however, Washington also demonstrates enormous patience and a verve for discipline that may not endear him to the rank and file of Virginia's troops, but certainly makes the colony's fighting force more potent.

Freeman very much stays "in the moment" during his narrative; therefore, foreshadowing is limited to implicit comparisons to Washington's later service leading the Continental Army. What is clear is that Washington forged a remarkable aptitude for logistics in the campaigns of 1755-1758, particularly the importance of squeezing as much out of meager funds as possible and establishing bases and supply depots before taking off into the forests of the western lands. Here we witness Washington's burgeoning genius, not as a master tactician, but as a manager and leader. Washington operates amidst haughty British officers, nosy Virginia government officials, sour privates, obstinate militiamen and marauding Indians and Frenchmen.

Through it all, he develops a keen sense for organization as destiny. In the gunsmoke-choked Great Meadows of Fort Necessity, Washington likely figured that honor would redound to the soldier with the most courage, the man willing to advance no matter the peril and no matter the cost. By the time Washington arrives with General Forbes to the smoldering ruins of Fort Duquesne, abandoned by the French in 1758, Washington realizes that patience, grit and determination are the better suitors of honor.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very detailed. Academically rigorous. Basically covers Washington's service in the French and Indian War. Freeman does a great job of providing big picture context, instead of focusing too tightly on his subject. Kudos for also not being afraid to call out Washington's mistakes and flaws. Mostly enjoyable, though sometimes the detail gets in the way. I guess that will happen in a seven volume biography. Looking forward to the next volume and the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

[Parker Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book while driving for most of this book. I think DSF does a great job of mixing a high amount of detail with a followable story. However, I don't recommend listening while driving because it was too easy to zone out at times when the detail became abundant. I did enjoy the amount of time spent on Young Washington as so much of this time period is skipped in other historical accounts.

[Jack Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freeman is a master of his craft. I am heavily invested in finishing his treatment of Washington. This was an incredibly interesting detailing of Washington in the French and Indian War and his obsession with taking Fort Duquesne.

[Patrick\ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best biography going on Washington.

[George King · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better than Vol. 1 Too much detail

[Caleb Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is interesting to see how much George Washington changed from 20 to 26. Right now many people are going back into the lives of others and pointing out foolish things they did or said in their youth and if they said it now. It was fun to see the growth in George and think about myself since he is now just a little younger than myself. It is odd that George's success is really a flow of losses that he was not responsible for, therefore no one blamed him and he was brought up in the ranks. He wanted it and was wiling and wanted to accept the responsibilities that come along with an increased rank.