©2004, Cumberland House Publishing, Inc., 532 pages in hardback

“First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”  These memorable words spoken by Washington’s friend Henry “Light-horse Harry” Lee after Washington’s death are words that aptly describe Lodge’s view of his subject. He has provided a biography that conveys the greatness of Washington in the face of monumental struggles.

Washington was born in 1732.  He was the first of six children born to his father’s second wife.  His father died when Washington was eleven. His wise and loving mother was responsible for raising the fatherless children. She did her duty and thereby set a standard that Washington followed.  No doubt the loss of Washington’s father was a trial that prepared Washington for other types of trials he would face as an adult.  As a young man he had walked many miles, surveying property beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was not only acquainted with the backwoods but also knew how Indians fought.  Yet his advice was not taken seriously by English leaders in the French and Indian War until disaster struck.

Later during America’s war for independence, Washington’s attention could not be solely dedicated to battlefield duties as he had to fight Congress’ failure to provide him with the material goods his soldiers needed. He also had to obtain men and money from states that did not want to do their part in providing these necessities. Among his own officers he had to confront and solve the quarrels of leaders over rank.

The welcomed entrance of France meant that Washington also had to manage the use of this ally in the face of language barriers and other problems. As the war dragged on the ranks began to be filled with lesser quality men. The value of continental money plunged and gambling became a way of life for many.  These problems called for Washington’s attention toward resolution and responsible action.

After the war’s successful end, Washington, along with many others, soon realized that the Articles of Confederation were not working.  In the subsequent Federal Convention he was elected chairman and signed the Constitution which he then had to begin to convince Virginia and other states to ratify.

Washington was a logical and wise choice to be the first president under the Constitution. He was not a man that wanted to use the office for his own gain. As President he established many precedents in regard to social etiquette connected with the office.  He also had to interpret the new Constitution in the face of new problems internally and externally.  Lodge considers Washington’s assent to and use of the implied powers of the Constitution to be perhaps the most important one act of his presidency.  Washington’s interpretation has certainly had wide ranging ramifications since he used it in the establishment of a national bank.

In taking the reader through Washington’s presidency the reader is confronted with a number of the multitude of problems Washington faced.  How would he deal with rebellion in local states? How could the new nation best face the Indians on the frontier who were influenced by foreign enemies to attack settlers?  How were the nation’s debts to be repaid? How could the nation gain respect of foreign powers? How should America respond to the French Revolution? A number of questions could be added to these.

Throughout this volume Lodge does an excellent job of communicating the social situation of the eighteenth century in regard to the colonies being hotbeds of problems. Washington provided responsible answers and action time and again.  Perhaps the greatest political grief the President felt was the formation of political parties by men in his own cabinet.  Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were looked to as leaders of two different parties. I was surprised to read of anecdotes of animosity that members of Jefferson’s party had toward Washington’s leadership.

Lodge is a good writer. He draws from many sources to provide an account that brings Washington to life for readers of this reprinted volume. Sadly, there is no bibliography, nor are there footnotes provided to show sources of direct quotes. The author does interact with other biographers whom he believes are wrong in their anecdotes (such as the cherry tree incident) or their assessment at some point regarding Washington.  Footnotes and bibliographical information would be very helpful here and elsewhere.

Lodge, in the closing pages, provides only one or two sentences regarding Washington’s religious beliefs.  I believe this is a great oversight of the author. Certainly much debate has raged over this very aspect of Washington’s life. The subject deserves more than a passing mention. Failure to mention God’s good providence upon the colonies during and after the war makes Washington to be larger in life than he was or could be. Certainly he was a great man who acted responsibly and wisely time and again. Yet God’s sovereign hand needs to be acknowledged in the rise of the colonial nation. No man, not even Washington, could have accomplished the defeat of England without the intervening hand of God.

Readers can learn much regarding Washington and the times in which he lived by reading this biography. The anecdotes are wisely chosen and insightful. I finished the book with a greater appreciation of Washington and his greatness in war and peace.

This volume is a part of The American Statesmen Services. It was originally printed in 1898.

Review ©2007 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia