George Washington: A Life in Books

Written by Kevin J. Hayes

Narrated by David Colacci

When it comes to the Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton are generally considered the great minds of early America. George Washington, instead, is toasted with accolades regarding his solid common sense and strength in battle. Indeed, John Adams once snobbishly dismissed him as "too illiterate, unlearned, unread for his station and reputation." Yet Adams, as well as the majority of the men who knew Washington in his life, were unaware of his singular devotion to self-improvement.

Based on research at the Library of Congress, the collections at Mount Vernon, and rare book archives across the country, Kevin J. Hayes corrects this misconception and reconstructs the active intellectual life that has gone largely unnoticed in conventional narratives of Washington. Despite being a lifelong reader, Washington felt an acute sense of embarrassment about his relative lack of formal education, and in this sparkling literary biography, Hayes illustrates just how tirelessly Washington worked to improve. Beginning with the primers, forgotten periodicals, conduct books, and classic eighteenth-century novels that shaped Washington's early life, Hayes studies Washington's letters and journals, charting the many ways the books of his upbringing affected decisions before and during the Revolutionary War.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Highbridge Company
• Release date: Jun 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781684573172

Reviews for George Washington

[Vijay Jani · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well narrated. Never to high, as I think is fitting for this book, and still not monotone. The book's connection of what Washington was reading with what he was doing at the time was great. Sometimes the book delved into lengthy summaries of books Washington read, which I did not care for but to some may be interesting. Washington's side as a scholar, nerd, nonarrogant, growth-mindset individual comes across. My new view of Washington reminds me of a quote from Lord of the Rings about Faramir: "He is bold, more bold than many deem; for in these days men are slow to believe that a captain can be wise and earned in the scrolls of lore and song, as he is, and yet a man of hardihood and swift judgement in the field." Washington may not have been the best or most accomplished general. But overall as a powerful man increasing the power of a nation, he is certainly very accomplished. A similar breed to Julius Caesar and Ashoka.

[irregularreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So here you are, reading a book review about a book about the history of George Washington’s books. It’s hard to get more meta than that. In all seriousness, though, this was an interesting angle for a history/biography about the first president of the United States.Working roughly in chronological order, Hayes takes us through the library at Mount Vernon. We start with Washington’s earliest books (collections of devotions by famous preachers), and move from there to travel guides, reference books, abolitionist tracts (though he regrettably never used his considerable political influence to address the injustice of slavery, in his personal dealings Washington was an abolitionist), popular fiction, and military books.Hayes introduces us to a man born in the American colonies, and denied a “proper” English education. In order to compensate for an education he perceived as lacking, Washington would embark on a lifetime quest of self-improvement. He actively sought out books to deepen his understanding of the physical, spiritual, and literary worlds. His passion for books and for reading would remain undiminished throughout his life.George Washington has deservedly been the subject of countless biographies. Approaching his life from the direction of his library is both refreshing and educational. While some of the conclusions the author draws based on the content of the Mount Vernon library shelves seems a bit reaching, on the whole this is a fascinating look at one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.