Completed: 11/19/2021
Recommendation: Not Recommended
Recommended By: Nobody
Review:
OK, so not really a biography of Washington, though it does sort of stroll through parts of his life. It seems like I get to know Philbrick's dog better than Washington. Philbrick even identifies himself as a bore recounting his harrowing sailing story, but he put it in the book. So, this travelogue is boring and it needs to be enhanced with something. I'm just not sure it is Philbrick's dog, lovelorn wife, or even his 5th great uncle. I was hoping this would be more of a book about how Washington's trips brought the country together and while this is addressed, there is no compelling case that says it worked--heck it is unclear that this was Washington's intent (instead of trying to just get away from the daily obligations of governing--Washington seemed happiest on the move).
What is Washington's legacy, the purported purpose of this book? Maybe Washington, DC...that is about the best conclusion I could reach from what I had read. I knew that Washington did not travel with a dog. I knew that the president had a number of myths around his life (e.g. the "just a man" statements) and that he had taken a difficult journey while trying to stay at taverns (so that it did not seem like a trip taken by a king to his court members' houses). But of his legacy? Little. I cannot recommend this book in any way.
No comments:
Post a Comment