"It seemed to me that Benjamin Franklin was wiser than Washington; Alexander Hamilton was more brilliant; John Adams was better read; Thomas Jefferson was more intellectually sophisticated; James Madison was more politically astute. Yet each and all of these prominent figures acknowledged that Washington was their unquestioned superior" (Joseph Ellis, p. xiv).
Renowned author, Joseph Ellis has put human flesh on the immortal, George Washington. For some this might well leave a bad taste in their mouths. For me, understanding the very human and cultural struggles Washington navigated through to American immortality makes his achievements and character development all the more impressive. Ellis does a brilliant job of reminding us that great men are more often made than born, and Washington's greatness was birthed and matured in first hand experiences with raw human depravity amid high and lofty idealism.
In particularly impressive is Ellis's dealings with the question of slavery and the founding fathers, especially Washington. He notes that many felt slavery severely out of tune with the republican ideals of the American Revolution. Yet he also acknowledges the egg shells the nation, which Washington hoped to build and preserve, was birthed on. While Washington, himself, eventually came to be morally repulsed by the institution itself, this plank took a long and tortuous path at which to arrive. While it was easy for Quaker dissenters to criticize the existence of slavery ... and criticize Washington, himself, neither one of them were responsible holding together a group of people for whom "We the People" amounted to little more than wishful thinking. He believed that the best course was to establish the country on sound footing, and then allow the next generation or two to navigate a course to emancipation.
What Ellis fails miserably at is his handling of Washington's faith. While it is true he was not he Billy Graham of his day, he certainly was an authentic orthodox Anglican believer. Ellis asserts that Washington was a slack Anglican at best, never partaking of Communion. Yet the fact he partook of Communion is indisputable. Besides whether he partook of Communion or not bears little telling on his own faith and in the nature of Providence ... whether Providence for Washington was an impersonal force or the preeminent Christ.
All in all this book is a must have for anyone interested in the study of "His Excellency."
Renowned author, Joseph Ellis has put human flesh on the immortal, George Washington. For some this might well leave a bad taste in their mouths. For me, understanding the very human and cultural struggles Washington navigated through to American immortality makes his achievements and character development all the more impressive. Ellis does a brilliant job of reminding us that great men are more often made than born, and Washington's greatness was birthed and matured in first hand experiences with raw human depravity amid high and lofty idealism.In particularly impressive is Ellis's dealings with the question of slavery and the founding fathers, especially Washington. He notes that many felt slavery severely out of tune with the republican ideals of the American Revolution. Yet he also acknowledges the egg shells the nation, which Washington hoped to build and preserve, was birthed on. While Washington, himself, eventually came to be morally repulsed by the institution itself, this plank took a long and tortuous path at which to arrive. While it was easy for Quaker dissenters to criticize the existence of slavery ... and criticize Washington, himself, neither one of them were responsible holding together a group of people for whom "We the People" amounted to little more than wishful thinking. He believed that the best course was to establish the country on sound footing, and then allow the next generation or two to navigate a course to emancipation.
What Ellis fails miserably at is his handling of Washington's faith. While it is true he was not he Billy Graham of his day, he certainly was an authentic orthodox Anglican believer. Ellis asserts that Washington was a slack Anglican at best, never partaking of Communion. Yet the fact he partook of Communion is indisputable. Besides whether he partook of Communion or not bears little telling on his own faith and in the nature of Providence ... whether Providence for Washington was an impersonal force or the preeminent Christ.
All in all this book is a must have for anyone interested in the study of "His Excellency."
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