Washington: The Indispensable Man [Paperback]

James Thomas Flexner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 22, 1994 | Series: A back bay book

After more than two decades, this dramatic and concise single volume distillation of Flexner's definitive four volume biography George Washington, which received a Pulitzer Prize citation has itself become an American classic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Back Bay Books (February 22, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316286168
• ISBN-13: 978-0316286169
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (80 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,316 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( W ) > Washington, George
  • #85 in Books > History > Americas > United States > Colonial Period

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

202 of 203 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best One Volume Biography of America's Greatest Man January 19, 2000

By Douglas McIntyre

Format:Paperback

I only write reviews of the books I feel very strongly about. James Thomas Flexner is, along with Douglas Freeman, considered to be the preiminant Washington scholar. He also happens to be a world class writer. For those of you who do not have the time, or interest, in reading Flexner's monumental 4 volume biography of Washingon, you could not find a better single volume on the life of the most important man in American history. Most great men turn out to be less great the closer you examine their accomplishments. Washington is one of the few whose legend doesn't go far enough. Read Flexner's book and see why George Washington was an icon in his own lifetime... Adored by the great men of his age, beloved by the people, and a moral example who is as relevant to the American experience today as he was two hundred plus years ago. This is a great work of history and a great read. If I had the power, I would make this book required reading for every American citizen.

102 of 103 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the Best Single Volume Life of Washington February 13, 2000

By Douglas McIntyre

Format:Paperback

Flexner is considered, along with Douglas Freeman, to be the great Washington scholar. His four volume biography is a masterpiece of scholarship and historical writing. However, most readers will not have the time to plow through such a large work. Fortunately, Flexner wrote this fantastic book. He has managed to condense the essence of Washington's remarkable life into this single volume. It is every bit as informed and well written as the larger work, and for the curious, by far the best single volume biography of G.W. Every American should read this book. It's impossible to study GW as presented by Flexner and not be impressed. There is a reason why men such as Franklin, Jefferson, Hamilton, Adams, Madison, et al deferred to Washington. In these pages you will learn why.

70 of 72 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed my life-really June 9, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Several years ago, I spent Thanksgiving with the parents of a friend of mine and started reading this book based on their reccomendation. Well, this book so inspired me, I've continued with biographies of most of our Founding Fathers(including Flexner's "Young Hamilton") as well as the other Presidents and into the Civil War. James Thomas Flexner brings to life a man whom I only knew as the first President, the guy on the dollar bill, and yes, the one who chopped down the cherry tree. My perspective on American history and the man responsible for such a great piece of our history was completely changed by this book. It reads like a novel, though I admit was a bit rough getting started. Once in, however, I was hooked. This biography takes you through Washington's early years as a child, his courtship struggles and life as a surveyor: then, we travel with our hero through the Revolutionary War, the precarious aftermath and his tenure as the first President of the newly founded nation. Flexner shows us that much of this was, for Washington, a struggle indeed, and he seems very much the reluctant hero, whose journey is destined for greatness in spite of himself and the enormous odds against him. It is an epic journey masterfully navigated by Flexner. This biography is worthy of it's subject. If you are an American, read it.