washington life washington life biography george_washington president united_states written american historian biographer book volume cradle grave narrative attempts provide fresh portrait washington real credible charismatic way perceived contemporaries business journalist inspired write book researching biography washington long time aide washington life took years complete makes extensive use archival evidence book released wide acclaim critics called best biography washington written book won pulitzer prize biography autobiography american history book prize background book author freelance business journalist later self described self historian history family won national book award published biography american founding father won inaugural conceived idea book washington researching hamilton life men worked closely come believe hamilton protagonist book washington hero book discovering letter quarrel hamilton washington concluded president previously portrayed later interview said came washington man moods fiery opinions covered immense self control people didn despite estimated books written washington decided write goal providing fresh portrait writing book washington life extensive use archival evidence left washington meticulous record keeping documents included recently discovered written correspondence maps images papers george_washington available research project began washington life took years complete years spent purely research june near end work book slipped broke ankle places unable read following months later attributed injury allowing return book fresh perspective improve manuscript summary prelude washington life draws parallel portraits george_washington attempts fresh portrait character biography stuart argues washington cool command painted sensitive complex figure passion states intention presenting washington real credible charismatic way perceived contemporaries presents washington man capable constant self improvement rising provincial childhood presidency united_states beginning biography discusses major events washington largely chronological order early life service british_army french indian war career growing dissatisfaction british rule american colonies service commander chief continental_army american revolution resignation brief retirement following revolution successful conclusion return public life constitutional convention terms president united_states set number important office final years life describes washington accomplishments president simply breathtaking restored american credit assumed state debt created bank mint coast guard customs service diplomatic corps introduced accounting tax budgetary procedures maintained peace home abroad inaugurated navy bolstered army coastal defenses infrastructure proved country regulate commerce negotiate binding treaties protected frontier settlers subdued indian uprisings established law order amid rebellion letter constitution shown world republican government authoritarian rule chapters detail washington complex feelings slavery institution relied despised left provisions slaves freed death slave owning founding father personal aspects washington life covered include design creation management leisure activities difficult relationship mother personal relationship married washington fell love marriage relationships adopted children grandchildren describes relationships childless washington succession sons critical response washington life won pulitzer prize biography included cash prize jury members biography award won pulitzer prize biography historians book honored recipient included award title book received positive reviews new_york_times felt able intimate washington previously biographies man stated presented washington human accessible individual wrote readers finish book feeling actually spent time human beings washington_post gave opposing reviews book felt washington life justice truly man nation history enthusiastic stating book offered presentation life washington felt book long criticized writing style considered contain uneven prose daily_telegraph historian commented access recently unearthed papers george_washington brought fresh analysis perspective washington stated review books given complete picture president compelling new biography washington life recipient pulitzer prize history wrote review book best comprehensive balanced single volume biography washington written comes away book feeling washington finally understanding human nature extraordinary makes biography powerful writing salon called best biography george_washington concluding narrative rich scale massive epic new fits seamlessly wider picture gone washington world mind inhabited
Washington: A Life