Journey Location: Chapter 9, "The Ascent of George Washington."
It's getting hard to root for George Washington.
I understand he was our first president. I know he fought as commander of the Continental Army for eight years. I get that he's on the dollar bill. So I really want to like him.
But so far, I wouldn't have trusted him with one of my dogs if I lived back then.
Throughout the Revolutionary War, he never stopped taking credit for others' successes and he never took blame for really anything. In fact, according to the book, he didn't have much influence behind the British surrender at Yorktown, and therefore, America's independence. It gives much credit to the French's force and their strategy.
John Adams and Benjamin Franklin even credited other forces for the win (another general in one case, and luck in the other). With the book's subtitle being, "The Hidden Political Genius of an American Icon," I'm guessing that's the point. Washington knew how to stretch successes (even when they weren't his) into fame and deflect his setbacks as failures by others.
Although not known as a great speechmaker, Washington understood and was a fan of theater. In fact, Adams, according to the book, said Washington was the best actor he saw in his 25 years of public service.
For better or worse, sounds like Washington would fit perfectly with some of today's politicians.
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