George Washington's War: The Forging of a Revolutionary Leader and the American Presidency

Based on 1,500 primary sources, Chadwick presents a fresh new biography of George Washington (1732-99), first president of the USA A gripping narrative that concentrates on Washington's spellbinding Revolutionary years Chadwick contends that George Washington became the great leader he was, not through the military campaigns of the American Revolution - there were nine major battles, and the Americans lost six of them - but through the winter months when he and his army were ensconced in Morristown, and later Valley Forge. Here he simultaneously created a military force, dealt with Congress and the emerging states, held the British at bay, and in effect, created a nation. He served the role of President of the United States during the four years of the Revolution before he was in fact elected to that office.