In his introduction, veteran biographer Chernow is clear about his goals. Using the recent
"explosion of research," he wants to render George Washington "real" and "credible," to replace
"frosty respect" with "visceral appreciation." In many respects, Chernow succeeds. He gives us
a Washington who starts with limited education and means and, through a remarkable combination
of timely deaths, an incredible capacity for hard work, a shrewd marriage, astonishing physical
hardiness and courage, a propensity for land speculation, and a gift for finding influential
patrons, transforms himself into a soldier, well-to-do planter, local official, and eventually
the only real choice to command the Continental army, preside over the Constitutional Convention,
and serve as the first president. Chernow makes familiar scenes fresh (like the crossing of the
Delaware) and expertly brings the provisional revolutionary and early Republican eras to life.
Along the way, however, he mistakes "visceral" for ardent; while he never hides Washington's
less than saintly moments or shirks the vexed question of slavery, he often seems to ignore the
data he's collected. Examples of shady dealing are quickly followed by tales of Washington's
unimpeachable ethics or impeccable political savvy. At times it feels as if Chernow, for all
his careful research and talent for synthesis, is in the grip of a full-scale crush. The result
is a good book that would have been great if better edited, and if Chernow had trusted that
Washington's many merits, even when accompanied by his faults, would speak for themselves.

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