The American Spectator

More unambiguously positive are assessments of Washington’s strategic vision as Commander of the Continental Army and of his quiet leadership at the Constitutional Convention. As president, setting the fledgling nation’s finances on a sound footing complemented solid accomplishments in foreign policy — among which was the treaty with Britain negotiated by Chief Justice John Jay. Against claims by critics that the first president was ignorant and aloof, Johnson provides evidence of Washington’s mental acuity and willingness to endure the dangers of travel in order to meet citizens of the nation he labored so strenuously to create.

Ironically, this compendium of observations about the “father” of the United States speaks with a thick British accent. References abound to Cromwell, Wellington, Walpole, and other prominent figures from the pantheon of British history and literature. Also surprising is the redundancy one confronts in a work of such brevity. Twice, for example, Johnson repeats the anecdote where Washington declares, while picking up his reading glasses, “Gentleman, you must pardon me. I have grown grey in your service, and now find myself growing blind.” Additional puzzlement arises from repeated references to Washington’s fondness for “baseball” — a sport also favored by George III.

Such considerations make it difficult to say that this book serves as an “ideal introduction” to Washington’s life — the publisher’s stated goal for works in this series. But Johnson’s pointed comments on matters of contemporary concern (e.g. on judicial power and First Amendment church-state issues) make this book, at the least, an engaging and informative read.