George Washington's Final Battle
The Epic Struggle to Build a Capital City and a Nation
Published on 15. February 2021
Book
Hardback
384 pages
978-1-62616-784-1 (ISBN)
Description
George Washington is remembered for leading the Continental Army to victory, presiding over the Constitution, and forging a new nation, but few know the story of his involvement in the establishment of a capital city and how it nearly tore the United States apart.
In George Washington's Final Battle, Robert P. Watson brings this tale to life, telling how the country's first president tirelessly advocated for a capital on the shores of the Potomac. Washington envisioned and had a direct role in planning many aspects of the city that would house the young republic. In doing so, he created a landmark that gave the fledgling democracy credibility, united a fractious country, and created a sense of American identity.
Although Washington died just months before the federal government's official relocation, his vision and influence live on in the city that bears his name.
This little-known story of founding intrigue throws George Washington's political acumen into sharp relief and provides a historical lesson in leadership and consensus-building that remains relevant today. This book will fascinate anyone interested in the founding period, the American presidency, and the history of Washington, DC.
In George Washington's Final Battle, Robert P. Watson brings this tale to life, telling how the country's first president tirelessly advocated for a capital on the shores of the Potomac. Washington envisioned and had a direct role in planning many aspects of the city that would house the young republic. In doing so, he created a landmark that gave the fledgling democracy credibility, united a fractious country, and created a sense of American identity.
Although Washington died just months before the federal government's official relocation, his vision and influence live on in the city that bears his name.
This little-known story of founding intrigue throws George Washington's political acumen into sharp relief and provides a historical lesson in leadership and consensus-building that remains relevant today. This book will fascinate anyone interested in the founding period, the American presidency, and the history of Washington, DC.
Reviews / Votes
Washington's final battle turned out to be unexpectedly difficult, and Watson makes a strong argument that only his astute leadership assured victory. An expert addition to the boundless literature surrounding Washington and the founding era. * Kirkus Reviews * [T]his is an informative narrative of the contested founding of the nation's capital for both general readers and academics. * Library Journal * Expertly written, organized and presented, "George Washington's Final Battle: The Epic Struggle to Build a Capital City and a Nation" is an invaluable contribution to our growing understanding of the formative impact George Washington has had upon the American nation - an impact that still continues to this present day and into the foreseeable future. * Midwest Book Review *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Washington, DC
United States
Target group
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
With dust jacket
Illustrations
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 38 mm
Weight
658 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-62616-784-1 (9781626167841)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Robert P. Watson
George Washington's Final Battle
The Epic Struggle to Build a Capital City and a Nation
E-Book
02/2021
Georgetown University Press
€31.99
Available for download
Person
Robert P. Watson is a Distinguished Professor of American History at Lynn University and the author or editor of more than forty books, including The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn: An Untold Story of the American Revolution, The Nazi Titanic: The Incredible Untold Story of a Doomed Ship in World War II, and America's First Crisis: The War of 1812. He is a frequent media commentator and activist who has founded three nonprofit think tanks dedicated to civic education, political reform, and fact-checking political campaigns.
Content
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chronology
Introduction: The "Other" Founding Debates
PART I. GEORGE WASHINGTON'S EARLY LIFE AND AMERICAN VISION
1. Surveying a Future
2. Western Adventures
3. The Dispensations of Providence
4. Potomac Fever
5. Cincinnatus
PART II. THE QUESTION OF A CAPITAL
6. Swords in their Hands
7. Mutiny!
8. The Day the War Ended
9. A Singular Destiny
10. Fixing the Seat of Government
11. Political Architecture
PART III. THE GREAT DEBATE
12. Convention
13. Ten Miles Square
14. An Inauguration
15. New York City
16. The Great Debate
17. The (Second) Most Famous Dinner in History
PART IV. CONFLICT AND COMPROMISE
18. The Grand Compromise
19. Philadelphia
20. The Residence Act of 1790
21. The City of Washington
22. Financing the Capital
PART V. BUILDING THE CAPITAL
23. The Architect
24. Intrigues and Injuries
25. A Design Contest
26. Building the President's House
27. A House Divided
PART VI. LEGACY
28. Washington (Never) Slept Here
29. A Pedestal Waiting for a Monument
30. Temple of Liberty
31. The Father of His Country
32. 'Tis Well
Epilogue: The Building Is in a State to Be Habitable
Appendix A. Chronological List of Temporary Capitals
Appendix B. List of Possible Locations for the Capital
Acknowledgments
Chronology
Introduction: The "Other" Founding Debates
PART I. GEORGE WASHINGTON'S EARLY LIFE AND AMERICAN VISION
1. Surveying a Future
2. Western Adventures
3. The Dispensations of Providence
4. Potomac Fever
5. Cincinnatus
PART II. THE QUESTION OF A CAPITAL
6. Swords in their Hands
7. Mutiny!
8. The Day the War Ended
9. A Singular Destiny
10. Fixing the Seat of Government
11. Political Architecture
PART III. THE GREAT DEBATE
12. Convention
13. Ten Miles Square
14. An Inauguration
15. New York City
16. The Great Debate
17. The (Second) Most Famous Dinner in History
PART IV. CONFLICT AND COMPROMISE
18. The Grand Compromise
19. Philadelphia
20. The Residence Act of 1790
21. The City of Washington
22. Financing the Capital
PART V. BUILDING THE CAPITAL
23. The Architect
24. Intrigues and Injuries
25. A Design Contest
26. Building the President's House
27. A House Divided
PART VI. LEGACY
28. Washington (Never) Slept Here
29. A Pedestal Waiting for a Monument
30. Temple of Liberty
31. The Father of His Country
32. 'Tis Well
Epilogue: The Building Is in a State to Be Habitable
Appendix A. Chronological List of Temporary Capitals
Appendix B. List of Possible Locations for the Capital