Poor George!
I am now listening to Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow.
I am listening to three histories now (including one about WWII, and one about Black Hawk), and I am enjoying this one the most. I had never been too impressed by Washington before, but I find I like the guy now. He gave his life to his country – literally, and he got nothing in return but future fame. In his lifetime, he got nothing but sorrow for his efforts.
I now see Washington more favorably – but I also see the Americans of his time less favorable – especially Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, who plotted against him underhandedly.
When his first term as president was ending, everyone begged him to accept another term - certain that without him at the helm the Northern States would separate from the Southern ones. As they probably would have.
This is widely acknowledged as the first good history of Washington – more than two hundred years after his death!
Americans, as they are now, are not interested in it.
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