The Ascent of George Washington: The Hidden Political Genius of an American Icon - Softcover

“Sensing that such biographers as James Flexner and Joseph Ellis have accepted the above-politics thesis, Ferling inspects the evidence of Washington’s political activities...while illustrating the substance behind Washington’s image as the indispensable man, Ferling pointedly grounds that image in the political soil from which it sprang.” –"Booklist"

“Ferling has done his research and offers some new insights...recommended for readers interested in taking a fresh look at Washington's political life” –"Library Journal"

“Never questioning Washington’s greatness, Ferling insists that seeing him as an artful self-promoter and master politician only enhances his reputation as an adept leader who knew exactly what he was doing...a fresh take on a monumental American.” –"Kirkus"

“Once in a while a book comes along to remind us that history has no gods, that the past is less fossil than textboo

"Sensing that such biographers as James Flexner and Joseph Ellis have accepted the above-politics thesis, Ferling inspects the evidence of Washington's political activities...while illustrating the substance behind Washington's image as the indispensable man, Ferling pointedly grounds that image in the political soil from which it sprang." -"Booklist"

"Ferling has done his research and offers some new insights...recommended for readers interested in taking a fresh look at Washington's political life" -"Library Journal"

"Never questioning Washington's greatness, Ferling insists that seeing him as an artful self-promoter and master politician only enhances his reputation as an adept leader who knew exactly what he was doing...a fresh take on a monumental American." -"Kirkus"

"Once in a while a book comes along to remind us that history has no gods, that the past is less fossil than textbooks suggest and America more vibrant than a mere list of principles. John Ferling's Ascent of George Washington is just such a book: a fresh, clear-eyed portrait of the full-blooded political animal that was George Washington...In John Ferling's eminently readable, landmark interpretation, we cannot help but marvel at the man." -Marie Arana, "Washington Post"

"The Washington who emerges from the nearly four hundred pages of well-crafted narrative is a man who became first in the hearts of his countrymen by looking out for Number One... Washington was a complex personality, as John Ferling's study makes clear, and it provides readers with a fuller portrait of the figure who was the First of Men of his time.""--Virginia Magazine of History and Biography"

Sensing that such biographers as James Flexner and Joseph Ellis have accepted the above-politics thesis, Ferling inspects the evidence of Washington's political activities while illustrating the substance behind Washington's image as the indispensable man, Ferling pointedly grounds that image in the political soil from which it sprang. "Booklist"

Ferling has done his research and offers some new insights recommended for readers interested in taking a fresh look at Washington's political life "Library Journal"

Never questioning Washington's greatness, Ferling insists that seeing him as an artful self-promoter and master politician only enhances his reputation as an adept leader who knew exactly what he was doing a fresh take on a monumental American. "Kirkus"

Once in a while a book comes along to remind us that history has no gods, that the past is less fossil than textbooks suggest and America more vibrant than a mere list of principles. John Ferling's Ascent of George Washington is just such a book: a fresh, clear-eyed portrait of the full-blooded political animal that was George Washington In John Ferling's eminently readable, landmark interpretation, we cannot help but marvel at the man. "Marie Arana, Washington Post"

The Washington who emerges from the nearly four hundred pages of well-crafted narrative is a man who became first in the hearts of his countrymen by looking out for Number One Washington was a complex personality, as John Ferling's study makes clear, and it provides readers with a fuller portrait of the figure who was the First of Men of his time. "Virginia Magazine of History and Biography""

"Sensing that such biographers as James Flexner and Joseph Ellis have accepted the above-politics thesis, Ferling inspects the evidence of Washington's political activities...while illustrating the substance behind Washington's image as the indispensable man, Ferling pointedly grounds that image in the political soil from which it sprang." --Booklist

"Ferling has done his research and offers some new insights...recommended for readers interested in taking a fresh look at Washington's political life" --Library Journal

"Never questioning Washington's greatness, Ferling insists that seeing him as an artful self-promoter and master politician only enhances his reputation as an adept leader who knew exactly what he was doing...a fresh take on a monumental American." --Kirkus

"Once in a while a book comes along to remind us that history has no gods, that the past is less fossil than textbooks suggest and America more vibrant than a mere list of principles. John Ferling's Ascent of George Washington is just such a book: a fresh, clear-eyed portrait of the full-blooded political animal that was George Washington...In John Ferling's eminently readable, landmark interpretation, we cannot help but marvel at the man." --Marie Arana, Washington Post

"The Washington who emerges from the nearly four hundred pages of well-crafted narrative is a man who became first in the hearts of his countrymen by looking out for Number One... Washington was a complex personality, as John Ferling's study makes clear, and it provides readers with a fuller portrait of the figure who was the First of Men of his time." --Virginia Magazine of History and Biography