Scribner
330 Pages
While this was the last book that I read in the George Washington part of my Presidential Reading Project, it was the first one that I owned. I had purchased it as soon as it came out, back in February 2020. Washington’s End by Jonathan Horn was a short, yet quite informative read on the later life of George Washington.
Most of this book details George Washington’s life after he leaves office in 1797. In the other books I’ve read about Washington, the last three years of his life are merely touched upon rather than explored. Horn’s book focuses on this largely overlooked time in Washington’s life. From his peaceful transition to John Adams to his death in 1799, Horn draws the readers into the life of a man who had given nearly everything to public life. Despite how much he claimed to want to be away from the limelight, Washington sometimes struggled with totally walking away from that power.
Many times, we tend to think of George Washington as almost god-like when it comes to the creation of the Presidency. This could not be further from the truth. He was human, just like the rest of us, with his own foibles, desires, and prejudices. These were probably more readily apparent in the short set of years after his terms had concluded. John Adams, while respected by Washington, was not a confidant of the first President, and Washington would sometimes second guess his successor. Sometimes he even tried to strongarm Adams into agreeing with him on decisions that should have been solely for Adams to make.
While reading the book, it is obvious that Washington was happiest when his wife, Martha, was near him, and when he could personally oversee his vast estate. It was likely his insistence on riding his holdings, even during inclement weather, that hastened his demise. Frankly, Washington wasn’t the healthiest specimen during his time, although he outlived many of his family members. A ride in the cold rain and snow brought about a sickness that he could not overcome. The country was thrown into great mourning when he died on December 14, 1799.
Some of the details of Washington after he left office were very interesting. He had been the target of some bad press during his second term, which was alien to him. After he left office, some of the most vitriolic language against him was used, especially when he was named by Adams to be Commander in Chief of the Army. However, all that seemed to dissolve in the aftermath of his passing.
Washington’s End by Jonathan Horn was one of more favorite books about George Washington because it dealt with a part of his life that hasn’t been as deeply researched as his early and Presidential life. This book is a good addendum to some of the other, fuller biographies of Washington. I highly suggest it if you're looking for a bit more about the end of his life.
Craig Bacon is happy that he’s done reading about George Washington, but at this point, moving on seems kind of like leaving behind an old friend.
NEXT UP: John Adams by David McCullough