Real George Washington

Why, after two centuries, does George Washington remain one of the most beloved figures in our history? The Real George Washington answers that question by giving us a close look at this man who became the “father of our country” and the first president of the United States.

In this biography of George Washington, you will meet the real man as he is allowed to present much of his story in his own words.  A man who:

• lost his father at age 11 and nearly joined the British navy at 15.
• was ambushed in the French and Indian War , receiving bullets through his coat and hat but escaping without injury.
• held together a destitute army through the long and terrible winter at Valley Forge.
• resisted plans to make him king and an army plot to take over the government.
• made the Constitutional Convention credible by his presence and helped win ratification of the Constitution by his support.
• sacrificed his desire for a quiet retirement to serve as the first President, and, while serving, set a valuable precedent of constitutional governance.
• ...and much more.

No man's life can be truly understood apart from his ideas, nor can his ideas be fully appreciated apart from the experiences which shaped his life. For this reason, The Real George Washington includes two parts.

• Part 1 - A Biography of George Washington's Life
• Part 2 - Selected quotations from his life, organized by topic.

These two parts are designed to complement each other and paint a more complete and accurate picture of the life of George Washington.

The Real George Washington is part of a series published by the National Center for Constitutional Studies entitled The American Classic Series. It is designed to revive an intelligent appreciation of the Founders and the remarkable system of government that they gave us.