Washington

In this ultimate volume, Abbott tells the story of the life of George Washington, the military leader of the American Revolution, and the first president of the nation he led to victory against the British Empire. This is no dry autobiography-it is an action-packed insider view of the American Revolution, and the creation of the United States. It tells of Washington's early life, his family background, his early military career, and his first retirement and farming activities at Mount Vernon. This period also includes many little-known personal details, drawn together using Abbott's famous original research methodology. Washington's recall to public service by the Continental Congress to lead the revolution, his victory, election as first president, policies, and the creation of the branches of government, are then recounted, providing once more many fascinating details and revelations on how the great issues of the day were addressed-which still have ramifications to the present day. On the nature of the greatness of Washington: "Washington was, as it were, the first of a new class of great men, such as the world before his day had scarcely known-that is, of men who acquire renown not by imposing their ideas and enforcing their will upon their countrymen, but by embodying and carrying into effect the ideas and determinations which their countrymen had previously formed."Washington did not originate the idea of the independence of America, as perhaps Julius Cæsar did that of the universal empire which he founded."The conception of American independence and nationality was gradually developed in the public opinion of a widely extended, intelligent, and well informed community."Washington was called upon to give effect to the will of this community, and for this purpose vast powers were put into his hands. When the work was accomplished he resigned the power, and returned to his retirement, leaving to that great community itself the entire responsibility of future action."ContentsCHAPTER I: Early DaysCHAPTER II: The Valley of the OhioCHAPTER III: Life at Mount VernonCHAPTER IV: The RevolutionCHAPTER V: Negotiations for PeaceCHAPTER VI: The Disbanding of the ArmyCHAPTER VII: The ConfederationCHAPTER VIII: The UnionCHAPTER IX: Inauguration of the GovernmentCHAPTER X: Working of the SystemThe American History Series by Jacob Abbott: Volume I: Aboriginal AmericaVolume II: Discovery of AmericaVolume III: The Southern ColoniesVolume IV: The Northern ColoniesVolume V: Wars of the ColoniesVolume VI: Revolt of the ColoniesVolume VII: War of the RevolutionVolume VIII: Washington