Albert heinrich zabel biography of george washington

Hi there. I just discovered this wonderful site. This was the biography I initially started my presidential journey with. August 20, at am. I remember it coming out a couple years ago — but well after I had already completed my first complete tour through Washington. Richard M Dasheiff said:. November 29, at pm. I started the George Washington biography out of order.

However various circumstances converged to get me to Washington. Second, it was depressing listening about the impeachment inquiry. It also provided an opportunity to be critical of both Washington and the biographer now that I have thirty POTUS bios under my belt and can see how Washington really compares to other Presidents. Jeremy said:.

October 20, at am. The WSJ review in September put the nail in the coffin on this one for me.

Albert heinrich zabel biography of george washington: Kenneth Zabel historical records. Discover people,

Her own podcast — Presidents are People Too — was fairly disappointing. Of course, they were each aiming at different targets. Mel said:. October 29, at pm. I just decided that I want to read at least one book about each president and I knew that someone would have a great list. Thank you! I love the reviews you do of each president—so helpful in choosing where I want to spend my precious reading time.

November 1, at pm. Deb Bowers said:. If you can, by David McCullough is not to be missed. Just pages. Wonderful narrative. It was helpful and I continued reading your comments because it was obvious that someone with your commitment had something worthwhile to say and your opinion would be valuable to me. Thanks again and good luck.

I look forward to reading about your progress. Thanks again and as you come across books you found compelling — traditional bio or not — do let me know! Deborah Bowers said:. January 2, at pm. The scholarship was astonishing to me and his narrative superb. I know you would treasure it. Thanks for responding. Daniel Sipes said:. May 11, at pm.

Mark T said:. February 13, at pm. He literally held the country together during the years from Boston to Yorktown Rafael said:. February 14, at am. I have read the Freeman, Flexner and Chernow Washington biographies.

Albert heinrich zabel biography of george washington: • , Composer Albert Heinrich Zabel

That might be a turn-off for someone today. Well worth the read if you have the time. Byran said:. May 28, at pm. Does any bias towards any one person show up in his Washington book? Mac Mote said:. September 7, at pm. Philip Wood said:. December 11, at am. Just finished the Chernow biography, it truly was excellent. One mild criticism, and maybe this is just a preference, but I wish Chernow had spent a little more time on politics while Washington was president.

He seems to breath through some parts of it. Of course I admit I could have simply missed it during my read. Other than that I was very pleased with the work, and look forward to his bio on Grant. Share this: Twitter Facebook Email Tumblr. Like Loading Steve said: February 5, at am. Steve said: September 29, at am. Oh, I love people like you. Marcus said: October 13, at pm.

In twelve weeks of winter fighting, their army suffered severe damage, their hold on New Jersey was broken, and their strategy was ruined. This gem among books on George Washington reveals the crucial role of contingency in these events. We see how the campaign unfolded in a sequence of difficult choices by many actors, from generals to civilians, on both sides.

The author unflinchingly paints a portrait of Washington: slave owner, brave leader, man of passion, reluctant politician, and fierce general. Washington was born and raised among blacks and mixed-race people; he and his wife had blood ties to the slave community. Yet as a young man he bought and sold slaves without scruple, even raffled off children to collect debts an incident ignored by earlier biographers.

He acted too late to keep the new republic from perpetuating slavery, but his repentance was genuine. Christened with the name of the great general, Irving was blessed by Washington while still a boy of seven, and later came to know many of the prominent figures of the Revolution. In these pages he describes them using firsthand source material and observation.

The result is a book which is fascinating not only for its subject the American Revolutionbut also for how it reveals in illuminating detail the personality and humanity of a now remote, towering icon. He was sent by Virginia to both the first and second Continental Congresses in and In JuneWashington was appointed commander of all colonial forces.

He set about forming the Continental Army and trying to feed, clothe and equip his soldiers. His early military fortunes were mixed, but an American victory at Saratoga in October prompted the French to agree to an alliance with the Americans. Although Washington's fortunes did not immediately improve, with French military and naval assistance the tide began to turn.

On 19 Octoberthe British army surrendered at Yorktown. Peace talks began in Paris and a treaty was signed in InWashington was elected president of the Constitutional Convention and used his immense influence to persuade the states to ratify the resulting constitution. As a result, he became one of the wealthiest men in Virginia, which increased his social standing.

At Washington's urging, Governor Lord Botetourt fulfilled Dinwiddie's promise to grant land bounties to those who served with volunteer militias during the French and Indian War. Crawford allotted 23, acres 9, ha to Washington, who told the veterans that their land was unsuitable for farming and agreed to purchase 20, acres 8, haleaving some feeling that they had been duped.

Albert heinrich zabel biography of george washington: Under advice from Henry

As a respected military hero and large landowner, Washington held local offices and was elected to the Virginia provincial legislature, representing Frederick County in the Virginia House of Burgesses for seven years beginning in Washington was opposed to the taxes which the British Parliament imposed on the Colonies without proper representation.

In response to the Townshend Actshe introduced a proposal in May which urged Virginians to boycott British goods; the Townshend Acts were mostly repealed in Parliament sought to punish Massachusetts colonists for their role in the Boston Tea Party in by passing the Coercive Actswhich Washington saw as "an invasion of our rights and privileges".

The American Revolutionary War broke out on April 19, He was unanimously elected by Congress the next day. Similarly, Washington was impressed by Alexander Hamilton 's intelligence and bravery; he would later promote Hamilton to colonel and appoint him his aide-de-camp. Washington initially banned the enlistment of Black soldiers, both free and enslaved.

The British saw an opportunity to divide the colonies: the colonial governor of Virginia issued a proclamation promising freedom to slaves if they joined the British forces. In Aprilin response to the growing rebellious movement, British troops occupied Bostonled by General Thomas Gagecommander of British forces in America. When the Charles River froze over, Washington was eager to cross and storm Boston, but Gates and others were opposed to having untrained militia attempt to assault well-garrisoned fortifications.

Instead, Washington agreed to secure the Dorchester Heights above Boston to try to force the British out. Washington entered the city with men, giving them explicit orders not to plunder.

Albert heinrich zabel biography of george washington: Name: Albert Zabel. Birth: Kritzkow, Mecklenburg-Schwerin,

After the victory at Boston, Washington correctly guessed that the British would return to New York City and retaliate. He arrived there on April 13,and ordered the construction of fortifications. He also ordered his forces to treat civilians and their property with respect, to avoid the abuses Bostonians suffered at the hands of British troops.

Howe's troop strength totaled 32, regulars and Hessian auxiliaries ; Washington had 23, men, mostly untrained recruits and militia. Overruling his generals, Washington chose to fight, based on inaccurate information that Howe's army had only around 8, soldiers. Howe sent a message to Washington to negotiate peace, addressing him as "George Washington, Esq.

In November, Howe captured Fort Washington. Loyalists in New York City considered Howe a liberator and spread a rumor that Washington had set fire to the city. Washington crossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvaniawhere General John Sullivan joined him with 2, more troops. Washington returned to New Jersey on January 3,launching an attack on the British regulars at Princetonwith 40 Americans killed or wounded and British killed or captured.

In the Battle of Brandywine on September 11,Howe outmaneuvered Washington and marched unopposed into the American capital at Philadelphia. A Patriot attack against the British at Germantown in October failed. Concerned about Burgoyne's movements southward, Washington sent reinforcements north with Generals Benedict Arnold and Benjamin Lincoln.

On October 7,Burgoyne tried to take Bemis Heights but was isolated from support and forced to surrender. Gates' victory emboldened Washington's critics, who favored Gates as a military leader. Washington and his army of 11, men went into winter quarters at Valley Forge north of Philadelphia in December There they lost between 2, and 3, men as a result of disease and lack of food, clothing, and shelter, reducing the army to below 9, men.

Washington's supporters resisted, and the matter was ultimately dropped. Washington made repeated petitions to Congress for provisions and expressed the urgency of the situation to a congressional delegation. In earlythe French entered into a Treaty of Alliance with the Americans. He chose to order a limited strike on the retreating British. Generals Lee and Lafayette moved with 4, men, without Washington's knowledge, and bungled their first albert heinrich zabel biography of george washington on June Washington relieved Lee and achieved a draw after an expansive battle.

The British continued their retreat to New York. Washington would not fight the British in a major engagement again for more than three years". Washington became America's first spymaster by designing an espionage system against the British. Washington had disregarded incidents of disloyalty by Arnold, who had distinguished himself in many campaigns, including the invasion of Quebec.

He assumed personal command at West Point and reorganized its defenses. Washington was reinvigorated, however, when Lafayette returned from France with more ships, men, and supplies, [ ] and 5, veteran French troops led by Marshal Rochambeau arrived at Newport, Rhode Island in July. General Clinton sent Arnold, now a British brigadier general, to Virginia in December with 1, troops to capture Portsmouth and conduct raids on Patriot forces.

Washington sent Lafayette south to counter Arnold's efforts. Inexperienced in siege warfare, he often deferred to the judgment of Rochambeau. Despite this, Rochambeau never challenged Washington's authority as the battle's commanding officer. The final American offensive began with a shot fired by Washington. When peace negotiations began in Aprilboth the British and French began gradually evacuating their forces.

The account was settled, though it was vague about large sums and included expenses his wife had incurred through visits to his headquarters. When the Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3,Britain officially recognized American independence. Washington disbanded his army, giving a farewell address to his soldiers on November 2. In early DecemberWashington bade farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern and resigned as commander-in-chief soon after.

I will move gently down the stream of life, until I sleep with my fathers. Ferling wrote that he was delighted to be "free of the bustle of a camp and the busy scenes of public life". Washington reactivated his interests in the Great Dismal Swamp and Potomac Canal projects, begun before the war, though neither paid him any dividends.

Creditors paid him in depreciated wartime currency, and he owed significant amounts in taxes and wages. Mount Vernon had made no profit during his absence, and he saw persistently poor crop yields due to pestilence and bad weather. His estate recorded its eleventh year running at a deficit in To make his estate profitable again, Washington undertook a new landscaping plan and succeeded in cultivating a range of fast-growing trees and native shrubs.

Before returning to albert heinrich zabel biography of george washington life in JuneWashington called for a strong union. Though he was concerned that he might be criticized for meddling in civil matters, he sent a circular letter to the states, maintaining that the Articles of Confederation were no more than "a rope of sand". He believed the nation was on the verge of "anarchy and confusion", was vulnerable to foreign intervention, and that a national constitution would unify the states under a strong central government.

When Shays' Rebellion erupted in Massachusetts in AugustWashington was further convinced that a national constitution was needed. He had concerns about the legality of the convention and consulted James MadisonHenry Knoxand others. They persuaded him to attend as they felt his presence might induce reluctant states to send delegates and smooth the way for the ratification process while also giving legitimacy to the convention.

Washington arrived in Philadelphia on May 9,and the convention began on May Benjamin Franklin nominated Washington to preside over the meeting, and he was unanimously elected. The delegates to the Convention for the first presidential election anticipated a Washington presidency and left it to him to define the office once elected. Livingston administered the oath, using a Bible provided by the Masons.

Washington wrote to James Madison : "As the first of everything in our situation will serve to establish a precedent, it is devoutly wished on my part that these precedents be fixed on true principles. Washington was an able administrator and judge of talent and character. Washington's cabinet became a consulting and advisory body, not mandated by the Constitution.

Washington opposed political factionalism and remained non-partisan throughout his presidency the only United States president to do so. He was sympathetic to a Federalist form of government. Hamilton formed the Federalist Party to promote national credit and a financially powerful nation. Jefferson opposed Hamilton's agenda and founded the Jeffersonian Republicans.

Washington favored Hamilton's agenda, however, and it ultimately went into effect—resulting in bitter controversy. Washington initially planned to retire after his first term, weary of office and in poor health. After dealing with the infighting in his cabinet and with partisan critics, he showed little enthusiasm for a second term, and Martha wanted him not to run.

Madison told him that his absence would allow the dangerous political rift in his cabinet and the House to worsen. Jefferson also pleaded with him not to retire, pledging to drop his attacks on Hamilton. On April 22,after the French Revolutionary Wars broke out, Washington issued a proclamation declaring American neutrality. He was resolved to pursue "a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerent Powers" while warning Americans not to intervene in the conflict.

He procured four American ships as privateers to strike at Spanish forces British allies in Florida while organizing militias to strike at other British possessions. However, his efforts failed to draw the United States into the conflict. During his second term Washington faced two major domestic conflicts. The first was the Whiskey Rebellion —a Pennsylvania revolt against liquor taxation.

Washington mobilized a militia and personally commanded an expedition against the rebels which suppressed the insurgency. Hamilton formulated the Jay Treaty to normalize trade relations with Britain while removing them from western forts, and also to resolve financial debts remaining from the Revolution. Washington supported the treaty because it avoided war, [ ] although he was disappointed that its provisions favored Britain.

The agreement secured peace with Britain and a decade of prosperous trade; however, Jefferson claimed that it angered France and "invited rather than avoided" war. On July 31,Jefferson submitted his resignation from cabinet. Washington's relationship with Secretary of War Henry Knox deteriorated over rumors that Knox had profited from contracts for the construction of U.

Knox was forced to resign. He came to regard the press as a disuniting force. At the end of his second term, Washington retired. He was dismayed with the personal attacks against him and wanted to ensure that a truly contested presidential election could be held. He did not feel bound to a two-term limit, but his retirement set a significant precedent.

He closed the address by reflecting on his legacy: "I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which [my unintentioned errors] may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will never cease to view them with indulgence, and that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest.

Washington retired to Mount Vernon in March and devoted time to his business interests. No army invaded the United States during this period, and Washington did not assume a field command. To supplement his income, he erected a distillery for whiskey production. On December 12,Washington inspected his farms on horseback in inclement weather for five hours.

He then dined with guests without putting on dry clothes.