His Excellency: George Washington

Summary

Acclaimed author Joseph J. Ellis penned the National Book Award–winning American Sphinx and the Pulitzer Prize–winning Founding Brothers, a fixture on the New York Times bestseller list for an entire year, and one of the most popular history books of all time. Now this master historian turns his attention to the most exalted American hero—Founding Father and first president George Washington.

Washington has always been a larger-than-life and enigmatic figure. On the day he was given command of the continental army, he recorded only the temperature and where he ate dinner in his journal. But recently, his papers were catalogued at the University of Virginia. Ellis had primary access to the 90-volume papers, allowing him to paint a thorough and fascinating portrait.

From the French and Indian War to Mount Vernon, from the American Revolution to the presidency, Ellis delivers what will stand the test of time as the definitive biography of the greatest American icon.