Drawing on substantial new material, Cyrus A. Ansary gives a riveting account of how George Washington sought to put in place in America an economic system that was the antithesis of what had existed in the colonies under British rule. The entrepreneurial economy - which nurtures and rewards innovation and inventiveness - did not sprout into being in the United States by sheer happenstance. It was put in place by our first President. He painstakingly laid the foundation for it, but it did not take root without a struggle. He needed extraordinary tenacity to overcome fierce opposition to his program.President Washington's economic initiatives are the least well understood facets of Washington's busy and productive life. They enlarged the dreams and opportunities of Americans, led to a flourishing entrepreneurial climate, and are an inspiring tale for our time.
A business biography of George Washington, focusing on his many innovations and inventions. George Washington: general, statesman...businessman? Most people don't know that Washington was one of the country's first true entrepreneurs, responsible for innovations in several industries. In George Washington, Entrepreneur, John Berlau presents a fresh, surprising take on our forefather's business pursuits. History has depicted Washington as a gifted general and political pragmatist, not an intellectual heavyweight. But he was a patron of inventors and inveterate tinkerer, and just as intelligent as Jefferson or Franklin. His library was filled with books on agriculture, history, and philosophy. He was the first to breed horses with donkeys to produce the American mule. On his estate, he grew countless varieties of trees and built a greenhouse full of exotic fruits, herbs, and plants. Unlike his Virginia neighbors who remained wedded to tobacco, Washington planted seven types of wheat. His state-of-the-art mill produced flour which he exported to Europe in sacks stamped "G. Washington"—one of the very first branded food products. Mount Vernon was also home to a distillery and became one of the largest American whiskey producers of the era. Berlau's portrait of Washington, drawn in large part from his journals and extensive correspondence, presents a side of him we haven't seen before. It is sure to delight readers of presidential biography and business history.
“Lengel’s selection permits readers to trace the Revolutionary War as Washington experienced it.” — Booklist “[Lengel’s] choices are superb, covering the highlights of Washington’s Revolutionary tenure while illustrating his extraordinary personality.” — Library Journal “Man of destiny and hands-on commander, this is the Washington revealed in the extraordinary collection of letters assembled -- with excellent context-setting notes, and the original spelling and style -- by University of Virginia professor Lengel” — Boston Globe “The heroism and the heartbreak of the American Revolution are in these letters.” — Thomas Flemming, author of The Perils of Peace “Offers a wonderful insight into the mind and character of General Washington.” — Peter R. Henriques, author of Realistic Visionary: A Portrait of George Washingon “A must read for those who wish to truly understand General Washington and the Revolutionary War.” — John Ferling, author of Almost a Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Indepence “In this superb collection...Edward Lengel has done a remarkable job selecting letters that remind us of Washington’s humanity while upholding his place in world history.” — Terry Golway, author of Washington's General: Nathanael Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolution “Lengel’s judicious selections from Washington’s vast correspondence, together with his concise explanatory notes, will appeal to everyone interested in understanding General Washington and this pivotal era in American History.” — Caroline Cox, author of A Proper Sense of Honor: Service and Sacrifice in George Washington's Army
"George Washington’s Autobiography is a fascinating example of channeled literature, adding a very human personality to the stiff figure of the portraits. Here we encounter a three-dimensional Washington with his loves, fears, philosophy, and repeated encounters with the spirit world. This is an unforgettable, intimate view of the Father of our Country."— Steven Fanning, Ph.D., the author of Mystics of the Christian Tradition Scribe Edith Ellis met the spirit of George Washington one evening in 1955. He contacted her from the Other Side to ask if she would serve as a channel so that he could dictate his autobiography for his "fellow American Patriots," believing that he had kept his personal feelings about his life far too private. Edith agreed, although she was nearly blind and in her mid-70s. So began a most extraordinary partnership between Edith Ellis and the "Founding Father of America." The result is this remarkable book that has taken more than 60 years to reach the public. This book is a must-read for everyone who feels the spirit of the Founding Fathers surrounding us again.
George Washington, the first president of the United States, is much more than a monument on Mount Rushmore. Who was Washington, the general, president, and husband? He was first and foremost a man of impeccable honor which, despite military adversity and political wrangling, never abandoned him. The Founding Fathers who squabbled and competed amongst themselves did agree on one thing: only Washington could lead the country, first in the country’s military fight for freedom and then as the man charged with transforming thirteen individual states into a united country. But in his youth, George Washington did not intend to become the Father of his Country. As a younger son of a middling class Virginian, he intended to earn his living as a surveyor, and in that role, he was introduced to the vast potential of the country that would one day be a nation. But when the death of his older brother made him the heir to Mount Vernon, Washington ascended to leadership in the military, political and social spheres of Virginia and the United States. Inside you will read about... ✓ The Washington's of Virginia ✓ Europe Exports its Wars to the Colonies ✓ Washington at Mount Vernon ✓ An Englishman no Longer ✓ Washington at War ✓ The Father of His Country ✓ Return to Mount Vernon As a member and later officer in the Virginia militia, he fought with the British army against the French as the two European powers struggled for control of the rich Ohio Valley. The British, who would refuse Washington a commission in their army, would later meet him in battle as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, fighting for independence against the forces of King George III. As a political leader, he would become the architect of the American government. As the master of Mount Vernon, Washington’s marriage to the wealthy Martha Dandridge Custis placed him among the elite of the Virginia aristocracy. His integrity established a model for subsequent generations to emulate. That few have managed to match his achievements is an indication of his influence and character. Meet George Washington, the man, and discover the identity of this remarkable leader.
Will America's entrepreneurial spirit continue to define its destiny? What can the rest of the world learn from America's experience? In Launchpad Republic: America's Entrepreneurial Edge and Why it Matters to All of Us, Howard Wolk and John Landry provide an insightful and thought-provoking history of entrepreneurship in the United States, with a focus on the political, legal, and cultural forces that have sustained "creative destruction" and propelled the country forward for more than 200 years. In telling this story, the book highlights the critical features that have set America apart from other countries and identifies the key attributes necessary for it to maintain leadership for years to come. Entrepreneurship is a rebellious act, and America's democratic system is unique in enabling new companies to challenge established ones. As a result, the country enjoys not just more robust start-up activity, but also a dynamism that forces big companies to improve—or face the consequences. It protects both property rights and the right to compete in ways not enjoyed elsewhere, encouraging investment and innovation. Aside from assessing how American entrepreneurial capitalism unfolded, the authors address current challenges such as the rise of the "Big Tech", concerns about inequality, inclusivity and sustainability, and the evolution toward stakeholder capitalism. They compare the American approach to both Continental Europe's consensus-oriented framework and China's authoritarian model. Launchpad Republic offers readers: Insights into how America's political, legal and cultural history helped make the country the most dynamic economy in the world since inception A framework for understanding how the country's balanced and limited government, decentralized financial and corporate system, and responsiveness to consumers all served to enable innovation and improved standard of living while avoiding many of the pitfalls of cronyism and protectionism Fascinating comparisons between the United States and other countries, both historical and contemporary, that provide important context to many of today's critical issues A book that covers important topics in an easy to read style, Launchpad Republic belongs in the library of every policy wonk, capitalist, entrepreneur, founder, business leader, amateur historian, and technologist with an interest in how America's relentless entrepreneurial spirit has influenced—and will influence—its destiny.
The Indian World of George Washington offers a fresh portrait of the most revered American and the Native Americans whose story has been only partially told.
The United States was conceived in business, founded on business, and operated as a business -- all because of the entrepreneurial mind of the greatest American businessman of any generation: George Washington. Using Washington's extensive but often overlooked financial papers, Edward G. Lengel chronicles the fascinating and inspiring story of how this self-educated man built the Mount Vernon estate into a vast multilayered enterprise and prudently managed meager resources to win the war of independence. Later, as president, he helped establish the national economy on a solid footing and favorably positioned the nation for the Industrial Revolution. Washington's steadfast commitment to the core economic principles of probity, transparency, careful management, and calculated boldness are timeless lessons that should inspire and instruct investors even today. First Entrepreneur will transform how ordinary Americans think about George Washington and how his success in commercial enterprise influenced and guided the emerging nation.
