George Mason and George Washington: The Power of Principle - Paperback

by Gerard W. Gawalt (Author)

George Mason and George Washington: The Power of Principle is a unique book combining narrative and primary documents to reveal the complex intertwined lives of George Mason and George Washington. Neighboring planters in northern Virginia, Mason and Washington could not have been more dissimilar in appearance and personality. Yet they forged a firm friendship and powerful political partnership. Principle, pride, friendship and courage carried them through the firestorms of the American Revolution. When it became clear in the aftermath of the revolutionary war that the United States needed a new constitution, both men led the way. Their partnership divided on the selection and application of principles to the writing of the new federal constitution and the formation of the new federal government. Ultimately, Mason refused to sign the new constitution or join and support the new federal government. Washington refused to accept his actions. And so their friendship and political partnership floundered on the rocks of principle and pride. All of the personal correspondence and collaborative documents of the two men are also in this book.

Author Biography

Gerard W. Gawalt has for more than forty-five years been a historian specializing in America's founders and American presidential families. Gawalt has served as curator of major exhibits at the Library of Congress and appeared on many television programs including The Today Show, History Channel, Washington Journal, Discovery Channel and C-Span's programs on American presidents and writers. Gawalt is the author or co-author of more than a dozen books, including Circle of Friends: Thomas Jefferson and His Women Correspondents, My Dear President, First Daughters (with his own daughter Ann Gawalt), and The Declaration of Independence: The Evolution of the Text. Gawalt and his wife, Jane, reside in Springfield, Virginia and New Harbor, Maine. They are the parents of three daughters (Susan, Ann, and Ellen) and six grandchildren (Caitlin, Sarah, Emma, Mary Elizabeth, Abigail, and Jonathan.