Review: Washington's Farewell
John Avlon's deep dive delivers a meaningful assessment on an important address
John Avlon’s work is not simple to read, and it takes a lot of focus.
But I think everyone should try to do it.
Avlon does a great job providing context to George Washington’s presidency, and particularly to his reluctant second term. By that time, our new republic showed severe signs of splinter and strain.
Insurrections, foreign meddling, score settling, and political differences all threatened the fragile American experiment.
In other words—problems that sound relevant to today.
Washington’s careful words in his famous farewell address are timeless and important. They’re also often overlooked by modern Americans, who tend to favor the Gettysburg Address or the Declaration of Independence on the list of “documents to know.”
But Washington had a lifetime of insight he wanted, and needed, to share.
Avlon explains in great detail how careful the first president was in crafting this address. He relied on the advice of several founding fathers and spent a lot of time at Mount Vernon and other places ruminating on exactly what he wanted to impart to the American people. Washington ruminated on the draft for months.
What remains is an enduring wisdom.
Washington discusses unity, national identity, economic independence, the dangers of political parties and more within the slim address. Avlon gives illustration to it all, and the book is a compelling read.
I hope you enjoyed it as much as me!
April’s Book Pick…
I think it’s important to read from a variety of voices, so April’s book is a bit of a departure from the previous selections.
Trash is a sort of memoir/cultural studies/modern history work written by a pastor in Aberdeen, WA. The work takes a hard look at the plight of poor whites in America and describes the author’s personal experience against this backdrop.
History is being written every day, and while this book chronicles the recent past, it also has a lot to say about where our country is headed.
Don’t hesitate to pick it up!