Washington: A Life

George Washington (1732–1799) is the central figure of Chernow’s biography and the defining presence in early American history. A Virginian landowner, militia officer, Revolutionary War general, and the first president of the United States, Washington shaped the political and moral foundation of the American republic. In Washington: A Life, Chernow’s primary goal is to complicate the marble figure, offering a nuanced portrayal of a man who was by turns ambitious, reserved, calculating, emotionally guarded, and deeply concerned with legacy.

Throughout the book, Washington’s life is presented as a study in self-mastery—his transformation from impulsive youth to disciplined leader is key to Chernow’s interpretation. Washington is shown to be acutely aware of image and precedent; whether leading troops at Valley Forge, accepting the presidency, or manumitting enslaved people in his will, he acts with strategic forethought. At the same time, Chernow does not shy from contradictions: Washington is an enslaver who comes to question the institution, a nationalist wary of faction, and a military figure who yearns for peace. His careful dance between authority and humility anchors the book’s recurring themes of leadership, legacy, and restraint.