First published 1972
George Washington stands at the pinnacle of American leadership, yet historical mythology has obscured the flesh and blood man beneath the marble statue. James Thomas Flexner strips away centuries of reverence to expose Washington's actual character during his final presidential years from 1793 to 1799. The author argues that our national need to deify the Father of Our Country has prevented us from understanding what made him truly great. Rather than the flawless figure of legend, Flexner presents a leader grappling with very human anxieties, doubts, and struggles. This biographical approach reveals that Washington's greatness emerged not from perfection but from his ability to overcome his mortal limitations. Flexner contends that Americans must know this real Washington, complete with his vulnerabilities and internal conflicts, to truly comprehend his significance. The book offers readers access to the authentic man behind the myth.
Genres: biography, historical-fiction, 20th-century, american, 19th-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: biographical-fiction, historical-fiction
Setting: America
Period: 1793-1799
554 pages · Hardcover · Little, Brown and Company