Encountering Washington

When not on a horse, it was said, George Washington was writing. In American Patriarch (Doubleday, 640 pp.), biographer H.W. Brands quotes from Washington’s journals and correspondence to provide an intimate window into his life and times.

Washington’s journals reveal his character, from his early 20s until nearly his last breath. Rather than a distant Founding Father, Brand reveals a man with concerns, foibles, and many defeats—a humble character possessing tenacity and a sense of the gravity of the decisions he faced. His journals also reveal choices that many today might find repulsive. Brands shows that Washington wrestled with the conflict between natives’ rights and settlers’ expansion, between a slave’s right of freedom and societal customs. As defender and protector of the nation, he made decisions for the good of the country, even though they violated his inner sense of justice. We also see his humble dependence on Providence. He believed God’s attention was the only reason the Colonies triumphed.

The extreme partisan spirit between the Federalists, led by Hamilton, and Republicans, led by Jefferson, threatened to “tear asunder” the young nation. Repeatedly reprimanding the two leaders for their heated rhetoric, biased media, and use of foreign influence, Washington called it “truly their worst enemy.” Brands’ selections on this theme contain an incredibly relevant message. Indeed, many of the issues presented from Washington’s presidency seem familiar. His first State of the Union address covered issues like immigration, currency, education, and the need for a strong military because “to be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.”

Despite its thick size, this biography doesn’t overwhelm the reader. In contrast to the Founding Fathers’ lengthy, complicated sentences packed with flowery language, Brands uses an easy-to-read style. He inserts concise commentary and summaries before or after quotes. As a result, some passages that might otherwise be too laborious for the average reader become manageable. Moreover, chapters are only 2–6 pages. These bite-sized chunks, addressing a singular topic, make the book easy to pick up and put down. But Brands barely addresses Washington’s younger years, and some well-known stories get short shrift, while lesser-known topics, like his role in the Continental Congress, get much more space.

History lovers will find countless interesting details to expand their understanding of Washington and his time and will appreciate hearing the speeches and private correspondence of leading men of the Revolution. Brands’ biography evokes a profound gratitude for the man who dedicated his adult life to the cause of this nation’s existence.