George Washington was the unanimous choice of his fellow founders for
president, and he is remembered to this day as an exceptional leader, but how exactly did this
manifest itself during his lifetime? In George Washington, Nationalist,
acclaimed author Edward J. Larson reveals the fascinating backstory of Washington's
leadership in the political, legal, and economic consolidation of the new nation, spotlighting
his crucial role in forming a more perfect union. The
years following the American Revolution were a critical period in American history, when the
newly independent states teetered toward disunion under the Articles of Confederation. Looking
at a selection of Washington's most pivotal acts--including conferring with like-minded
nationalists, establishing navigational rights on the Potomac, and quelling the near uprising of
unpaid revolutionary troops against the Confederation Congress--Larson shows Washington's
central role in the drive for reform leading up to the Constitutional Convention. His leadership
at that historic convention, followed by his mostly behind-the-scenes efforts in the
ratification process and the first federal election, and culminating in his inauguration as
president, complete the picture of Washington as the nation's first citizen. This
important and deeply researched book brings Washington's unique gift for leadership to
life for modern readers, offering a timely addition to the growing body of literature on the
Constitution, presidential leadership, executive power, and state-federal
relations.Gay Hart Gaines Distinguished
LecturesPreparation of this volume has been supported by The Fred W. Smith
National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon and by a gift from Mr. and
Mrs. Lewis E. Lehrman.
Copyright:
2016
Book Details
Book Quality:
Publisher Quality
ISBN-13:
9780813938998
Publisher:
University of Virginia Press
Date of Addition:
08/05/16
Copyrighted By:
the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia