Editorial Content for American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington

George Washington was born into a world trying to find its identity --- 13 disparate colonies situated in North America, overseen by royal governors who took their marching orders from across the Atlantic Ocean in England. Colonists struggled to build sustainable development amidst disease, famine and war with indigenous tribes.

Born in Virginia in 1732, Washington was the eldest of his full siblings and would be relied upon after their father’s untimely death in 1743. While he didn’t receive the high-end education of his half-siblings, he distinguished himself with his proficiency in mathematics, which he utilized in his first land-surveying ventures. The colonists were beginning to stake land claims further west, and Washington would be there to chronicle his experiences in the wilderness.

"Brands has penned an exemplary book chronicling the rise of the legendary military and political leader alongside the birth of the nation that embraced and exalted him."

The 18th century had witnessed sporadic periods of hostility between England and France. Both countries were now focused on the North American continent to expand their influence, yet the British hoped to halt any further French colonization. By 1753, Washington was serving as a major in the Virginia militia, and he was tasked with a sensitive mission: he was to travel to the Ohio area and deliver a message to the French, advising them to desist from settlement. He also took note of any French garrisons on his voyage. The French didn’t take too kindly to the demand from the young major, and the stage was set for the conflict, which commenced a year later.

Washington was at the forefront of the Battle of Fort Necessity in 1754, which signaled the start of the French and Indian War. Despite an ignominious surrender, he served with distinction for the British Army in the early years of the war and was noted for his bravery while serving under General Edward Braddock. Washington resigned from the army in 1758 and returned home to Virginia, where he planned to tend to his plantation and enjoy a life of peace with Martha, whom he married in 1759. However, life had other plans for him.

As the British government imposed burdensome taxes upon its colonial subjects and forbade settlement in the West, people like Washington began to register their displeasure. The calls of “No taxation without representation” were just the beginnings of a political rebellion that evolved into a clamoring for independence. By the time the revolution began, Washington was leading the Continental Army against a formidable British Army. The years 1775 to 1783 witnessed humbling defeats on Long Island, Brandywine and Germantown, but also significant victories in Trenton and Saratoga, followed by the decisive triumph in Yorktown. 

Washington’s near-masterful command of the Army and his charisma made him the ideal candidate to lead the country. This fact was furthered as he helped to usher in the Constitution, which provided the foundation for the new American government. His two terms in office were impactful in showing when authority needed to be flexed at home and abroad while also highlighting when neutrality was the tactical decision in global affairs.

AMERICAN PATRIARCH is a comprehensive and captivating biography of the quintessential founding father of the United States. H. W. Brands’ unvarnished portrait of America’s first president allows readers to see Washington’s strengths and weaknesses as the leader of the Continental Army and later as commander-in-chief. His resolve saw him through many tribulations, whether military setbacks at the outset of the Revolution or a perilous winter at Valley Forge. As a military leader, Washington was an advocate for his troops but was unafraid to instill discipline. As the inaugural leader of the nascent United States, he remained humble in accepting the role, despite the daunting future the country faced.

Brands has penned an exemplary book chronicling the rise of the legendary military and political leader alongside the birth of the nation that embraced and exalted him.