Review by Booklist Review
When George Washington became the first president of the new nation, he undertook a series of journeys around the former colonies to get a sense of the suddenly independent people who comprised this country. With a nod to John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley in Search of America and his own canine companion, award-winning history author Philbrick (In the Hurricane's Eye, 2018) sets out with his wife and his Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever to retrace Washington's journeys and thereby capture some sense of how the U.S. has grown from those earliest years. Having already documented Washington as military commander in the American Revolution Series (2013--18), Philbrick was looking for a more reflective and discerning Washington. The automobile and the interstate highway considerably changed for Philbrick the logistics of these journeys from that of Washington's rumbling horse-drawn carriage. Philbrick moves from one century's point of view to another's, perceptively observing what has changed and what has not. He particularly notes the past and current legacy of slaveholding, whether in North or South. This provides highly personal reflection and unique perspective on both the history and the often-contradictory lives of present-day Americans. Includes maps, illustrations, and bibliography.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Philbrick (In the Hurricane's Eye) retraces George Washington's presidential travels from 1789 to 1791 in this entertaining mix of history, travelogue, and memoir that takes a page from John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley. Accompanied by his wife, Melissa, and their dog, Dora, Philbrick follows Washington's footsteps in New England, Long Island, and the South. Along the way, he weaves in brisk profiles of Washington's companions, including his Black manservant, Billy Lee, and offers history lessons on the Boston Post Road, the Culper spy ring, and the creation of Washington, D.C. In Fairfield, Conn., Philbrick stops at the Sun Tavern, where Washington probably stayed in 1789; in Ridgeland, S.C., he talks history with a grocery store owner; at Mount Vernon, he discusses the process of "performing George Washington" with interpreter Dan Malissa ("he looks as much like an aging rock star as the first president"). According to Philbrick, Washington's travels helped create his vision for a unified America, which involved grappling, though not always successfully, with slavery and racism. By freeing those he'd held in slavery after his death, Philbrick contends, Washington signalled the way forward. Echoing both Steinbeck and Washington, Philbrick finds that even in today's politically divided times, the "American identity" can unite people across regional and philosophical differences. This poignant account strikes a hopeful chord. (Sept.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Anxious about national unity and his leadership abilities as president, George Washington traversed the American colonies, using his celebrity to engage with people and deftly cultivate a common national identity. Best-selling author Philbrick (In the Hurricane's Eye) was curious about Washington's efforts to form an enduring, stable country, so he retraced Washington's travels and took along his wife and their dog. Not intending to just connect the "Washington slept here" dots, Philbrick searched for what still binds the country, and discovered it was Washington, an imperfect man keenly driven to unify disparate states. Philbrick doesn't excuse Washington's faults, and the contradictions are glaring: Washington was a larger-than-life hero as well as a flawed slave owner who recognized slavery's injustices and its long-lasting effects on national economics, politics, and identity but upheld the practice anyway, with the stated intent of preserving the union. Philbrick says that Washington's incongruity on slavery, combined with the ideals of the American Revolution, has continually challenged the nation. He intends to give readers a more complete understanding of Washington's efforts to sustain unity. VERDICT This enjoyable read, as intensely researched as all of Philbrick's books, offers insight into the motivations and career of the author (a self-described history geek), and the vision, character, and impact of Washington. For history readers at all levels.--Margaret Kappanadze, Elmira Coll. Lib., NY
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Retracing the path George Washington took during five grueling trips across the nation during the first years of his presidency. Taking his cue from John Steinbeck's Travels With Charley, Philbrick chronicles his journey with his wife and dog. Unlike Steinbeck, he doesn't claim that they were roughing it. Offering an instructive history lesson, the author reminds readers that the Constitution did not pass by a landslide. Many Americans, perhaps a majority, had supported the Revolution, but there was no mass movement in favor of a strong central government. The Constitution was the work of America's educated elite, and even their support was far from unanimous. One of the original supporters, Washington, as portrayed by Philbrick, is an impressive figure who knew that he was a national icon, but this did not go to his head. Creating government institutions from scratch was difficult, but Washington had plenty of help. Convincing several million ex-colonists that they belonged to a single, united nation was his job alone because no one commanded his level of respect: "Only Washington could have formed an enduring national government in a country created by a revolution." Touring every state to show himself and inspire a sense of nationalism was a sensible tactic, so that's what he did. One issue that Philbrick doesn't entirely address is that little of great interest occurred during Washington's trips. The roads were terrible, the local inns dirty, and the receptions ecstatic. Crowds gathered, officials made speeches, and Washington mingled with admirers of all ages, many of whom recorded the experience in letters and diaries. Occasionally, he saw former colleagues or a familiar battlefield or dealt with political events back home. Though some histories of the era treat slavery as an unfortunate footnote, Philbrick does not shy away from pointing out its evils. When he cuts back to the present, roads and accommodations improve, and he encounters monuments, museums, and local historians who describe details of Washington's visit and, more often than not, disprove a popular myth. An agreeable historical travelogue. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
