Although George Washington inspires reverence, he remains lifeless and one-dimensional for many Americans. National Book Award winner Ron Chernow breaks the stereotype of Washington and paints a portrait of him as a canny political genius who knew how to inspire people in Washington: A Life; a groundbreaking work based on massive research.
Washington A Life
Guests:
Ron Chernow
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Comments [10]
Thanks so very much Leonard for asking the question and I enjoyed listening to Mr. Chernow's response. I should also say that I LOVED reading "Titan" and "Alexander Hamilton" and I VERY much look forward to reading his new book on Washington. By the way, as an aside, I have enjoyed watching over these many months watching the restoration of The Hamilton Grange in St. Nicholas Park. Looking forward to its opening in 2011.
What is the guest's view of Washington as a general? As a military strategist? (I have heard differing opinions on the subject.) Thanks - good show, as usual.
Eddie from Brooklyn Heights -- you might want to check out Garry Wills' excellent "Cincinnatus: George Washington and the Enlightenment" (1984).
The best biography of Washington is this 3 minute video:
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What are the parrells between Cinncinnatus and Washingtons stepping down from power
Is it true that Washington owned a large whiskey distillery? If so, god bless him.
Thanks, Ron Chernow -- "The Warburgs" changed my life. Really. I was reading it while pregnant with my son, knowing that we would have a bris for him but not quite knowing why ... Your book helped me to see that it was important in my life to reclaim my Jewish identity. Deepest thanks.
I think the HOUDON statue (which has a copy in City Hall) is more or less precisely how he looked.
Can you ask your guest to address the George Washington/Adam Weishaupt conspiracy? Many people in the conspiracy community believe that Washington was really an imposter, and that Weishaupt was impersonating him. Can you ask your guest about the origins/validity of this claim?
Can you ask Ron about how Washington balanced his cabinet? We certainly heard about that a great deal with Lincoln in "Team of Rivals" but Washington had to balance Hamilton, Treasury Secretary (a High Federalist) and Jefferson his Secretary of State (a Democratic-Republican).
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