George Washington's Final Battle

Robert P. Watson is a Distinguished Professor of American History at Lynn University and the author or editor of more than forty books, including The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn: An Untold Story of the American Revolution, The Nazi Titanic: The Incredible Untold Story of a Doomed Ship in World War II, and America’s First Crisis: The War of 1812. He is a frequent media commentator and activist who has founded three nonprofit think tanks dedicated to civic education, political reform, and fact-checking political campaigns.

Washington’s final battle turned out to be unexpectedly difficult, and Watson makes a strong argument that only his astute leadership assured victory. An expert addition to the boundless literature surrounding Washington and the founding era.

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsChronologyIntroduction: The “Other” Founding DebatesPART I. GEORGE WASHINGTON’S EARLY LIFE AND AMERICAN VISION1. Surveying a Future 2. Western Adventures3. The Dispensations of Providence4. Potomac Fever 5. Cincinnatus PART II. THE QUESTION OF A CAPITAL6. Swords in their Hands 7. Mutiny! 8. The Day the War Ended 9. A Singular Destiny 10. Fixing the Seat of Government11. Political Architecture PART III. THE GREAT DEBATE12. Convention 13. Ten Miles Square 14. An Inauguration15. New York City 16. The Great Debate 17. The (Second) Most Famous Dinner in History PART IV. CONFLICT AND COMPROMISE18. The Grand Compromise 19. Philadelphia 20. The Residence Act of 1790 21. The City of Washington 22. Financing the Capital PART V. BUILDING THE CAPITAL23. The Architect24. Intrigues and Injuries25. A Design Contest26. Building the President’s House 27. A House Divided PART VI. LEGACY28. Washington (Never) Slept Here 29. A Pedestal Waiting for a Monument 30. Temple of Liberty 31. The Father of His Country 32. 'Tis Well Epilogue: The Building Is in a State to Be Habitable Appendix A. Chronological List of Temporary Capitals Appendix B. List of Possible Locations for the Capital