Written by John Ferling, one of America's leading historians of the Revolutionary era, The First of Men offers an illuminating portrait of George Washington's life, with emphasis on his military and political career.Here is a riveting account that captures Washington in all his complexity, recounting not only Washington's familiar sterling qualities--courage, industry, ability to make difficult decisions, ceaseless striving for self-improvement, love of his family and loyalty to friends--but also his less well known character flaws. Indeed, as Ferling shows, Washington had to overcome many negative traits as he matured into a leader. The young Washington was accused of ingratitude and certain of his letters from this period read as if they were written by "a pompous martinet and a whining, petulant brat." As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, he lost his temper more than once and indulged flatterers. Aaron Burr found him "a boring, colorless person." As president, he often believed the worst about individual officials. Ferling concludes that Washington's personality and temperament were those of "a self-centered and self-absorbed man, one who since youth had exhibited a fragile self-esteem." And yet he managed to realize virtually every grand design he ever conceived. Ferling's Washington is driven, fired by ambition, envy, and dreams of fame and fortune. Yet his leadership and character galvanized the American Revolution--probably no one else could have kept the war going until the master stroke at Yorktown--and helped the fledgling nation take, and survive, its first unsteady steps.This superb paperback makes available once again an unflinchingly honest and compelling biography of the father of our country.

PrefacePART ONE1. Young George Washington2. The Frontier Warrior3. The Acquisitive Planter4. Patrician RevolutionaryPART TWO2. Commander of America's Army6. At the Brink7. Washington's War Begins8. The Campaign of 17779. The New Continental Army10. The Character of General Washington11. The Forgotten Years: 1778-178012. Victory and RetirementPART THREE13. A Brief Retirement14. An End to RetirementPART FOUR15. The Early Presidency16. The End of the First Term17. The Second Term Begins18. Last Years in OfficePART FIVE19. The Last YearsAfterwordNotesSelect BibliographyIndex