Rose Rosetree’s Reviews > Washington: A Life > Status Update

George W. assumed the Constitution would be amended in the future. Frequently.

I wish we had done!

George Washington is, for good reason, agonizing about whether or not to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

One reason I enjoy reading books is about history is that we can be reminded that impossibilities can really happen. Life can turn out better than we fear.

Why the pause? I am still awaiting renewal from Libby. Lucky you, who've been able to finish this.

Once again, I must return this fabulous biography to Libby. I look forward to finishing this masterwork after it becomes available again.

Washington's standards of excellence continue to be British. So many examples illustrate this, in Ron Chernow's balanced narration.

For instance, at Mount Vernon the retired General has stocked his land with British foxes along with American ones, even though that meant he had to curtail the presence of hounds. I gather the British foxes had learned to fear foxes from all the hunting.

Tonight I went to a party held at Mount Vernon. Hadn't been there for 30 years!

To stand on the land at Mount Vernon means so much more to me now, thanks to Ron Chernow's brilliant-and-compassionate book.

Between the end of the War of Independence and when he was installed as America's first president, George Washington went through financial hell.

Congress wouldn't given him a penny. Yet hoardes of people came to Mt. Vernon, ate at his expense, fed their horses on his land. He was in danger of going bankrupt. Couldn't have been worse! Brave George Washington.

It's a grace note, and funny, picturing him dancing the night away with the snazziest 22-year-olds who want to touch him, to "get a piece of him."

Ron Chernow has really outdone himself, painting a most vivid and stirring picture of George Washington resigning from the military, seeking to return to life at Mt. Vernon.

What a spectacle, Washington and the remaining soldiers signalizing that the War of Independence was finally concluded.

He hugged and kissed those soldiers. Most of them wept.

What a bond they forged!