June 15, 2013
In a briskly paced work, Beirne (Olin Scholar, Yale Law Sch.) seeks to unpack the approaches to leadership that were employed in the founding of America as he explores the wartime executive powers and actions of George Washington. Did Washington's approach to military leadership influence his--and therefore later presidents'--attitudes to the presidential role of commander in chief? Beirne divides his work into six sections exploring different aspects of Washington's practical and philosophical views and his experiences with national security issues while serving as commander of the Revolutionary forces. (In his brief introduction and epilog, he draws explicit parallels to leadership challenges in a post-9/11 world.) Beirne writes about Washington's views and actions as leader in a way that is not overly parochial or dense, but he confuses terms, such as commander in chief, which cannot apply to Washington prior to his presidency, and regularly uses anachronisms. He further goes astray by veering into hagiography, presenting questionable leaps of logic, dubious stock characterizations of historical figures, and a general portrait of Washington as an infallible figure of perpetual and unquestionable wisdom, a characterization lacking nuance and detracting from Beirne's central narrative and conclusions. VERDICT This flawed study of Washington can only be recommended to those with a strong interest in studying the military leadership and history of the Revolutionary War period.--Ben Neal, Sullivan Cty. P.L., Bristol, TN
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