Choice Review

Despite a profusion of scholarly biographies of George Washington, including John Alden's recent George Washington (CH, Jan '85), Ferling (West Georgia College) felt that "The real' Washington seems to have vanished for our age, replaced by an icon that too infrequently bears scant resemblance to a human being." In this lengthy survey, Ferling attempts to demythologize and humanize Washington. The story is familiar: the youthful surveyor, turned patrician planter, turned military hero, is reluctantly coaxed out of retirement to impose his special elan on the new nation during the uncertain times of the late 18th century. Ferling, however, does not hesitate to criticize Washington's actions or character. On the whole, the author provides a balanced account of a complex figure, thus fulfilling his original intent. Ferling uses recent scholarship of the revolutionary era, and incorporates a wealth of traditional primary material. Several useful maps and illustrations are also included. A brief but informative bibliographic essay directs readers to the spate of topical and monographic literature on Washington. This is a well-documented, gracefully written, and engaging history--clearly the most informative one-volume study of George Washington to date. Highly recommended for college, university, and public libraries. -K. Edgerton, University of Montana