George Washington and the Creation of the American Republic

by William M. Fowler Jr.

George Washington and the Creation of the American Republic debunks the portrayal of George Washington in what is described by historians as the “Critical Years” (1781–1789), a time when he was deeply involved in land speculation, western expansion, scientific farming, canal building, political affairs, and family matters—directing the nation toward a strong central government.

296 pages, Hardcover

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

William Morgan Fowler Jr. is a professor of history at Northeastern University, Boston and an author. He served as Director of the Massachusetts Historical Society from 1998 through 2005. He earned his BA from the University of Indiana in 1967 and his MA and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame.

Reviews

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: George Washington and the Creation of the American Republic by William M. Fowler Jr.

As a female sociologist and public health professional, I approached Fowler’s work with a dual lens: one attuned to the structural foundations of power, the other to how institutional systems emerge from the interplay of individual agency and collective action. While this biography was not written for my disciplines, its nuanced portrayal of Washington’s political strategizing during the “Critical Years” (1781–1789) offered provocative insights into the sociopolitical construction of the early republic—a period whose legacy continues to shape contemporary governance and health inequities.

Critical Engagement and Emotional Resonance
Fowler’s revisionist account—which challenges the myth of Washington’s passive detachment during this era—stirred both admiration and discomfort. His meticulous documentation of Washington’s land speculation, canal-building ventures, and behind-the-scenes political maneuvering revealed a leader who was less a disinterested Cincinnatus and more a calculated architect of centralized power. As a sociologist, I found this analysis compelling for its deconstruction of how elites consolidate authority under the guise of republican virtue. The parallels to modern debates about technocratic governance (e.g., pandemic response frameworks designed by unelected experts) were impossible to ignore.

Yet, I felt uneasy about the book’s limited interrogation of how Washington’s vision for a “rising empire” entrenched systems of exclusion. Fowler briefly acknowledges Washington’s Indigenous land acquisitions and reliance on enslaved labor, but these issues remain peripheral to the central narrative. For a public health scholar, this omission echoes broader historiographic gaps: how often do we scrutinize the health disparities rooted in founding-era policies without centering the marginalized communities they harmed? The emotional weight of this silence lingered long after reading.

Constructive Criticism
-Intersectional Blind Spots: The biography would benefit from integrating feminist and critical race perspectives. How did Washington’s land speculation displace Indigenous women’s livelihoods? How did enslaved laborers sustain the “scientific farming” Fowler praises?
-Public Health Parallels: The book’s focus on institutional creation invites—but neglects—analysis of how early federalism shaped health governance (e.g., quarantine laws, medical marginalization of Black communities).
-Resistance Narratives: Fowler’s top-down perspective sidelines grassroots actors (e.g., Shays’ Rebellion protesters) who contested Washington’s centralized vision. Their dissent could enrich understanding of power struggles in nation-building.

Why This Book Matters
Fowler’s work is a vital corrective to hagiographic Washington biographies, revealing the deliberate political labor behind the republic’s facade of inevitability. For sociologists, it models how to trace elite networks in institution-building; for public health professionals, it underscores how governance structures birthed in this era still determine resource allocation and health sovereignty today.

Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for providing a complimentary review copy. This biography is a trenchant, if occasionally myopic, study of power’s quiet choreography—a reminder that systems are never neutral, only strategically designed.

Reviewer’s Note: Pair with An American Crisis (Fowler) for constitutional context or Medical Apartheid (Washington) for health justice counterpoints. A scholarly but siloed contribution to early republic studies.

[Jonathan Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review on my Goodreads page. This book was published on September 2, 2025.

Much has been written about George Washington and his contributions to the Constitutional Convention and the days leading up to the country’s first presidency. This book turns its focus to the critical period between Washington’s retirement from the Continental Army and his ascension to the presidency in 1789.

The author presents not only Washington the farmer in retirement, but also a revealing portrait of a man who never truly left the stage of public life. Though he often spoke of retreating beneath his “vine and fig tree”—a phrase he invoked frequently in his writings—he remained an active presence, quietly shaping events from behind the scenes. The book also provides an insightful glimpse into his family life and the many visitors who passed through Mount Vernon during this time.

While the work may not break new ground compared to existing scholarship, it is well-researched, clearly written, and highly accessible. All the key moments are here, delivered in a concise format that makes this a quick yet worthwhile read. I would recommend it both to devoted Washington scholars and to general readers who want a thoughtful introduction to this pivotal era of his life.

[AMK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes a closer look at George Washington—not just as a war hero, but as a key figure in building the United States government. Robert E. Fowler shows how Washington helped shape the presidency and played a major role in uniting the country after the Revolution.
Fowler doesn’t just praise Washington—he explores how Washington carefully managed his public image and made thoughtful choices to support the new republic. The book highlights Washington’s leadership during the Constitutional Convention and his time as the first president.
While the writing can be a bit formal and detailed, especially when it gets into politics, the book offers valuable insights into how Washington influenced the foundations of American democracy.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

More informative than entertaining, this book explores George Washington’s crucial role in shaping the young American republic during the critical years from 1781-1789. It reveals his strategic brilliance beyond military leadership, detailing his multifaceted involvement in land speculation, westward expansion, and political maneuvering to establish a strong central government.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[tash · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley and lyon’s press for providing me with this arc of william m. fowler jr’s george washington and the creation of the american republic

3.75 stars

this book went into great depth of what washington’s life was like from 1776 up until the beginning of his presidency. i did find it difficult to follow at times though

[Wallace McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

summary what Washington did between the end of the war in 1783 and when he became president in 1788

[Roland of Karkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

from 1783 to 1788 it seems like everyone knew america was destined for greatness but kept failing until washington more or less decided that he would just do it himself

[Chelsea Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*.

George Washington and the Creation of the American Republic follows the time period before Washington became the first American President. Washington frequently claimed to be ‘retired’ and wanted to leave public life but he reluctantly presided over the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. This book discusses Washington and politics but it also gives huge insight into his personal and family life at Mount Vernon. Washington had a huge interest in farming and wanted to create a strong central government in America.

This book was really interesting and I do think this is very well researched regarding Washington’s life. As a Brit, I know basically nothing about Washington so I enjoyed learning about him. This book discusses a lot of the people that were around Washington and even discusses slavery. This was very well written, I’m giving it 4 stars and I would recommend this for fans of American history. My only issue with this was I did get a little lost with some of the people mentioned in this but that’s probably because I’m not very well read in this area.