On this day in 1732 George Washington was born.  With the birth of any child come the hopes and dreams of his or her mother and father.  However, no parent could have foreseen the life that George Washington would lead.  His rise to greatness and his willingness to walk away from power and turn it over to others peacefully, democratically, in a way never before done and only rarely duplicated since.   

George Washington was a statesman in its truest sense.  He participated in all of our Nation's greatest early moments.  He was an explorer who pushed the boundaries of a young nation westward.  He was an elected politician - first serving in the Virginia House of Burgesses and of course later as America's first President.  He was a soldier and leader of men as a Colonel in the Virginia militia and later as Commander in Chief of the American Army.  He was a farmer and he was a gentleman. 

The 20th century and now in the 21st century has seen a coarsening of politics and cynicism in the American populace.  Brookhiser's book is a humbling reminder of the true grit, greatness and even humility of our founders.  His book recites many of the qualities we learned as school children about our first president but goes much further to illuminate the multi-demensional character of George Washington. 

In this story of George Washington we learn what enabled him to achieve all that he did.  We see a picture of his nature, his morals, and his ideas.  As Brookhiser himself said, "His attention to courtesy and correct behavior anticipated his political philosophy.  He was influenced by Roman notions of nobility, but he was even more deeply influenced by a list of table manners and rules for conversation compiled by Jesuits."  Our political leaders could learn a great deal from Washington's example.

One of the truly great ironies of George Washington's life is that while he is considered the "father" of our country he actually never fathered any children.  Yet, since the earliest beginnings of our nation in 1776 he has been considered the founding father.  And like a father he stepped back when it was time to let his child, his country, stand on its own. 

The book came out in 1996 and I was humbled and inspired by it then.  I just reread the book again to recharge my belief in our founding principals.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to be inspired a truly wonderful, intriguing and inspiring man. 

As a student of history and REALTOR® I give this book my highest recommendation a solid SOLD  SOLD  SOLD  SOLD out of 4 sold signs!

For more on George Washington visit the Mount Vernon website, the White House website,  and please pick up a copy of Founding Father by Richard Brookhiser at your local library, bookseller, or at Amazon.com.  You will be glad you did.