Washington: A Legacy of Leadership by Paul Vickery

Being a person with a love of history, I have found Paul Vickery’s book Washington: a Legacy of Leadership, in “The Generals” series, to be a very insightful historical read. Though I have learned of Washington and some his legacy in school, I must admit that I did not know very much about his life. Vickery’s book, a biography on the life of George Washington, starting when he was twenty-one and appointed to the military position of Major in the Southern District of Virginia militia and ending with the conclusion of his second term as President of the newly formed United States, was incredibly insightful to the life of Washington and to the events that surrounded him and drove him in his leadership role.

The book brings to light the frustration Washington endured through the Continental Congress and their slowness in providing for the army they wanted him to lead, to the agonies that Washington and his men endured during the American Revolution and the wisdom and precedence’s that Washington brought as the first President. Washington, as it turns out, learned as he went throughout his career: an ingenuity and foresight that could only shed new light on ways to set up the foundations of a country.

I liked the book for two reasons primarily. The first, Vickery writes Washington’s story like a fictional story, for the most part. He gives insight into battles and marches and into Washington’s private life and thoughts. The second reason is because of the amount of source documentation that Vickery uses to write this book. I find that quotes and excerpts from actual letters, orders and firsthand accounts are vital to understanding what goes on behind the events in history. Every chapter has this kind of source documentation, and it is all provided in a bibliography at the conclusion of the book. Vickery didn’t make up the events that happened, as hard as it is to believe that some of these events are true. He proves this history as accurate; I find this to be the mark of a true historian.

I would recommend this book for history enthusiasts and for those who want to pursue a leadership position. Washington’s leadership during this time was absolutely amazing and very inspiring. Some of the book was a bit dry, but not terribly so. I would give this book three and a half out of five stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”