George Washington, Entrepreneur

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.

This book is a look at George Washing in a new role, that of the Entrepreneur. While many people are aware of President Washington’s role as Revolutionary Soldier, as a Founding Father to our great nation and as our first President, they are not as aware of his role as an entrepreneur who influenced many innovations during the development of America.

This is a fascinating look at his life as a farmer and his innovative changes to the farming practices during his life-time, his innovative use of crops to enhance his profits and develop new ways of keeping the land producing better crops. He was among the first American farmers to utilize the use of Greenhouses to grow food that was not otherwise conducive to the climate in Virginia. He used the Potomac River to create a Gristmill in order to supply flour to the colonialists, he exported fish from the river to Britain, among other innovations to his farm.

Many writers of his life do not consider him as a great innovator, reading this book may change their minds. Having been to Mount Vernon as a tourist I was surprised to see so much of his farming industry that was creative and profitable. He was definitely a man looking to the future and finding ways to preserve the farming way of life. If you are interested in George Washington as a man rather than a politician, this is a book that meets that criteria. Take a look at the George you haven’t known.

18th-century, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, commerce

Don't expect an unbiased review. Our family has been involved in American Revolutionary War re-enacting for years, and GW has always been our Commander In Chief.
But this book is about the whole man and his partner in life and in business, Martha, and how they were exceptional business persons without being crooks. I remember somewhere coming across a statement he made to the effect that he was "just a simple farmer." Ja. I've been to Mt Vernon and have seen the distillery, grist mill, etc. He diversified crops and discarded tobacco as a poor investment long before it was proved over a hundred years later. He involved himself in improvements in Virginia, and when the taxes on ironwork, wool, and other atrocities encroached on the good of the colonies he made the mind of the people known. There are a lot more instances and insights clarified in this book, but I think more people should invest in it besides those of us who follow the scent of cookfires and cannon fire.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. Thank you!!

This was such a unique look at our first a President. I had no idea that he was responsible for mules being created or that he owned a distillery. The business side is one that we don’t hear about with Washington, but these accomplishments are important to know about, as they give a true picture of the personality our President had.