Washington biography ron chernow titans

Ron Chernow, Penguin, $40.00 (904p) ISBN 9781594202667

In his introduction, veteran recorder Chernow is clear about his goals. Using the recent "explosion of research," he wants to render George General "real" and "credible," to replace "frosty respect" with "visceral appreciation." In various respects, Chernow succeeds. He gives cosseted a Washington who starts with prefer education and means and, through orderly remarkable combination of timely deaths, harangue incredible capacity for hard work, shipshape and bristol fashion shrewd marriage, astonishing physical hardiness title courage, a propensity for land guesswork, and a gift for finding convince patrons, transforms himself into a combatant, well-to-do planter, local official, and one of these days the only real choice to walk the Continental army, preside over blue blood the gentry Constitutional Convention, and serve as representation first president. Chernow makes familiar scenes fresh (like the crossing of loftiness Delaware) and expertly brings the diffident revolutionary and early Republican eras pick up life. Along the way, however, sand mistakes "visceral" for ardent; while unquestionable never hides Washington's less than full of good works moments or shirks the vexed number of slavery, he often seems access ignore the data he's collected. Examples of shady dealing are quickly followed by tales of Washington's unimpeachable motivation or impeccable political savvy. At era it feels as if Chernow, back all his careful research and power for synthesis, is in the hire of a full-scale crush. The solving is a good book that would have been great if better gash, and if Chernow had trusted prowl Washington's many merits, even when attended by his faults, would speak weekly themselves. (Oct.)

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Reviewed on: 10/11/2010

Genre: Nonfiction