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George Washington Dealmaker-In-Chief: The Story of How The Father of Our Country Unleashed The Entrepreneurial Spirit in America
Drawing on substantial new material, Cyrus A. Ansary gives a riveting account of how George Washington sought to put in place in America an economic system that was the antithesis of what had existed in the colonies under British rule. The entrepreneurial economy - which nurtures and rewards innovation and inventiveness - did not sprout into being in the United States by sheer happenstance. It was put in place by our first President. He painstakingly laid the foundation for it, but it did not take root without a struggle. He needed extraordinary tenacity to overcome fierce opposition to his program.President Washington's economic initiatives are the least well understood facets of Washington's busy and productive life. They enlarged the dreams and opportunities of Americans, led to a flourishing entrepreneurial climate, and are an inspiring tale for our time.
476 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 18, 2021
How George Washington made poor Martha and America rich!
This is a truly wondrous book, written by someone who ably serves as an expert guide to George Washington’s contribution to America. It evidences deep research and appreciation of a master entrepreneur from the author’s viewpoint as a master entrepreneur, one experienced in international law, finance, and education, as well as being a life-long student and admirer of George Washington. Indeed, it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read of very many books on George Washington.
Within the book you’ll find numerous “Wow, I didn’t know that’s!” For example, most everyone believes Washington got his start on the road to riches (at least assets) by marrying Martha Custis. The short version, as the author explains in depth, is that when George married Martha, yes, she was “rich,” but her estate was encumbered with lawsuits that could have quickly taken her to bankruptcy. Basically, it was only the fact that George parried the legalities for over twenty years and then won the Revolutionary War that saved her fortune and that of her children’s from adverse England-based judgments.
You will also find gems like (p 38): “Years later, a visitor to Mount Vernon would write that Washington could recite from memory 'all the rivers, lakes, creeks and the means to procure a communication between these waters and Portsmouth in the province of Maine as far as the Mississippi.'” Such are the fascinating facts you’ll learn about our “Foundingest Father.”
While I can’t say enough in the way of positives about the book, there are a couple of items I’d like to cite, as I’m especially curious about them, with the hope that they might be addressed in future editions:
P 97 Washington rebuilt Mount Vernon with “a round banquet hall capable of handling dozens of guests seven days a week.” From Mount Vernon’s floor plans, I don’t see any round rooms. The New Room (aka Large Dining Room) is definitely rectangular.
P 130 Around 1772, Virginia and South Carolina tried to stop the importation of slaves, but King George foiled them and kept the trade going. Wow, but Jefferson wasn’t allowed to call out the King for this in the Declaration of Independence, foiled by an effort spearheaded by South Carolina?
P 135 “The most important colonies of Great Britain in the eighteenth century were India and America.” What about the West Indies, the protection of which caused England to siphon off a good number of soldiers and sailors from America and send them south to the Caribbean? Other authors have the West Indies at a multiple (sometimes 4x) of the value of the thirteen American colonies.
P 152 & 56 David Hume and George Washington biographer Woodrow Wilson refer to American colonies as being 3,000 miles away from England and/or markets. It turns out that Manhattan is around 3,400 miles away from London as the seagull flies, but that’s not the route that the quick-sailing packet ships took, which included a detour to Halifax. Furthermore, if one moves the American port further south, one quickly crosses the averaging-up 3500-mile point, and reaches 4,000 miles when one considers the path that took Mount Vernon’s Bastille Key from Paris to Mount Vernon. What’s an extra 1,000 miles?! Unless you're talking nautical (not statute) miles, in which case multiply the above numbers by .869 and rest easy...but please say/think "nautical miles"!
P 271 Speaking of geography: “Madison, trying to capitalize on the President’s popularity, did not fail to note that the geographic midpoint of the north-south axis of the United States was not just the Potomac, but Mount Vernon itself.” I noticed this myself some time ago. My kudos to Mr. Madison for noticing it even earlier and to the author for including it!
P 328 For those thinking Jefferson, a frenemy to Washington, was our greatest president: Jefferson’s letter to Madison to the effect that Virginians cooperating with the Bank of the US should be prosecuted for treason and suffer death accordingly by the judgment of the state courts! Gulp! Who wants to start a national banking system?
P 367 [From context, presumably Friday, 13 December 1799] “He [GW] wrote his last letter to Alexander Hamilton, approving the plans for the establishment of the United States Military Academy at West Point, which had been the subject of much discussion between them. He ended his letter with an assurance of 'very great esteem and regard.'”
However, the Founders Archives has Washington’s letter to Hamilton dated 12 December, not 13 December. Yes, this was apparently Washington’s last letter to Hamilton, but it wasn’t his last letter. His last letter was on 13 December 1799, discussing his farms with his farm manager from Scotland, James Anderson. In the Washington-Hamilton correspondence, neither of them mentioned West Point (which Washington referred to elsewhere as the “Key of America”) or named any location(s) for the military academy(ies). As a George Washington fan and a West Point graduate, I just had to check this out!
Bottom-line: My curious items aside, I found this to be an extraordinary book about George Washington, with many, many new reasons to continue believing he was our greatest president. Very highly recommended!
Of possible interest: George Washington's Liberty Key: Mount Vernon's Bastille Key - the Mystery and Magic of Its Body, Mind, and Soul , a best-seller at Mount Vernon. “Character is Key for Liberty!” and
Strategy Pure and Simple: Essential Moves for Winning in Competition and Cooperation
This is a truly wondrous book, written by someone who ably serves as an expert guide to George Washington’s contribution to America. It evidences deep research and appreciation of a master entrepreneur from the author’s viewpoint as a master entrepreneur, one experienced in international law, finance, and education, as well as being a life-long student and admirer of George Washington. Indeed, it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read of very many books on George Washington.
Within the book you’ll find numerous “Wow, I didn’t know that’s!” For example, most everyone believes Washington got his start on the road to riches (at least assets) by marrying Martha Custis. The short version, as the author explains in depth, is that when George married Martha, yes, she was “rich,” but her estate was encumbered with lawsuits that could have quickly taken her to bankruptcy. Basically, it was only the fact that George parried the legalities for over twenty years and then won the Revolutionary War that saved her fortune and that of her children’s from adverse England-based judgments.
You will also find gems like (p 38): “Years later, a visitor to Mount Vernon would write that Washington could recite from memory 'all the rivers, lakes, creeks and the means to procure a communication between these waters and Portsmouth in the province of Maine as far as the Mississippi.'” Such are the fascinating facts you’ll learn about our “Foundingest Father.”
While I can’t say enough in the way of positives about the book, there are a couple of items I’d like to cite, as I’m especially curious about them, with the hope that they might be addressed in future editions:
P 97 Washington rebuilt Mount Vernon with “a round banquet hall capable of handling dozens of guests seven days a week.” From Mount Vernon’s floor plans, I don’t see any round rooms. The New Room (aka Large Dining Room) is definitely rectangular.
P 130 Around 1772, Virginia and South Carolina tried to stop the importation of slaves, but King George foiled them and kept the trade going. Wow, but Jefferson wasn’t allowed to call out the King for this in the Declaration of Independence, foiled by an effort spearheaded by South Carolina?
P 135 “The most important colonies of Great Britain in the eighteenth century were India and America.” What about the West Indies, the protection of which caused England to siphon off a good number of soldiers and sailors from America and send them south to the Caribbean? Other authors have the West Indies at a multiple (sometimes 4x) of the value of the thirteen American colonies.
P 152 & 56 David Hume and George Washington biographer Woodrow Wilson refer to American colonies as being 3,000 miles away from England and/or markets. It turns out that Manhattan is around 3,400 miles away from London as the seagull flies, but that’s not the route that the quick-sailing packet ships took, which included a detour to Halifax. Furthermore, if one moves the American port further south, one quickly crosses the averaging-up 3500-mile point, and reaches 4,000 miles when one considers the path that took Mount Vernon’s Bastille Key from Paris to Mount Vernon. What’s an extra 1,000 miles?! Unless you're talking nautical (not statute) miles, in which case multiply the above numbers by .869 and rest easy...but please say/think "nautical miles"!
P 271 Speaking of geography: “Madison, trying to capitalize on the President’s popularity, did not fail to note that the geographic midpoint of the north-south axis of the United States was not just the Potomac, but Mount Vernon itself.” I noticed this myself some time ago. My kudos to Mr. Madison for noticing it even earlier and to the author for including it!
P 328 For those thinking Jefferson, a frenemy to Washington, was our greatest president: Jefferson’s letter to Madison to the effect that Virginians cooperating with the Bank of the US should be prosecuted for treason and suffer death accordingly by the judgment of the state courts! Gulp! Who wants to start a national banking system?
P 367 [From context, presumably Friday, 13 December 1799] “He [GW] wrote his last letter to Alexander Hamilton, approving the plans for the establishment of the United States Military Academy at West Point, which had been the subject of much discussion between them. He ended his letter with an assurance of 'very great esteem and regard.'”
However, the Founders Archives has Washington’s letter to Hamilton dated 12 December, not 13 December. Yes, this was apparently Washington’s last letter to Hamilton, but it wasn’t his last letter. His last letter was on 13 December 1799, discussing his farms with his farm manager from Scotland, James Anderson. In the Washington-Hamilton correspondence, neither of them mentioned West Point (which Washington referred to elsewhere as the “Key of America”) or named any location(s) for the military academy(ies). As a George Washington fan and a West Point graduate, I just had to check this out!
Bottom-line: My curious items aside, I found this to be an extraordinary book about George Washington, with many, many new reasons to continue believing he was our greatest president. Very highly recommended!
Of possible interest: George Washington's Liberty Key: Mount Vernon's Bastille Key - the Mystery and Magic of Its Body, Mind, and Soul , a best-seller at Mount Vernon. “Character is Key for Liberty!” and
Strategy Pure and Simple: Essential Moves for Winning in Competition and Cooperation
February 11, 2024
From a note sent to Mr Ansary:
Mr Ansary ( or most likely his assistant)
Thank you for your work on this book. Your scholarly but interesting writing and engaging approach gave me a peek into government and business like no other. You have helped me understand how purity of motivation and high ideals carefully guarded can make their way and succeed. Even when those around you have wildly opposite views. Thank God in Heaven for such a man as George Washington!
Also thank you for presenting the wildly opposite views of Jefferson, Hamilton and others without denigrating their character. You managed to remind me that polar opposite views have always been part of our political landscape. And that these were held by individuals of both good intent and good character who were US patriots in the truest sense. I hope that is still true today although it it difficult to see through the fire and smoke of daily plots.
Mr Ansary ( or most likely his assistant)
Thank you for your work on this book. Your scholarly but interesting writing and engaging approach gave me a peek into government and business like no other. You have helped me understand how purity of motivation and high ideals carefully guarded can make their way and succeed. Even when those around you have wildly opposite views. Thank God in Heaven for such a man as George Washington!
Also thank you for presenting the wildly opposite views of Jefferson, Hamilton and others without denigrating their character. You managed to remind me that polar opposite views have always been part of our political landscape. And that these were held by individuals of both good intent and good character who were US patriots in the truest sense. I hope that is still true today although it it difficult to see through the fire and smoke of daily plots.
July 18, 2021
I am a history buff and have read extensively on American History. In this book I have found out more information on the works that Washington did in his lifetime. I would say that I am amazed at what he accomplished. This book was very well written and laid out. It kept me glued to reading every day.
November 1, 2024
Makes history live again
Wow! I have been an admirer of Washington for some time but I feel like I know him almost intimately now. I learned so much about his character and career. Also about relationships between the major fore- fathers and Washington. I had not known that he was such an entrepreneur. I think every school should have a print of his image to remind all children, this is someone to emulate.
Wow! I have been an admirer of Washington for some time but I feel like I know him almost intimately now. I learned so much about his character and career. Also about relationships between the major fore- fathers and Washington. I had not known that he was such an entrepreneur. I think every school should have a print of his image to remind all children, this is someone to emulate.
May 12, 2022
It is fascinating how President George Washington put into place so many of the current process that continues today. I started reading this with no other knowledge of the first President other than his title. As I was reading, I would look at my husband and tell him how impressed I am. It puts into perspective the processes Washington started and how they are compared to how they are today.
October 15, 2022
The Other Side Of Washington
Ansary wrote a terrific book providing the reader a real image of Washington. He was not only a great public figure but a great businessman. Washington truly believed in the spirit of entrepreneurship. He clearly set the foundation for free enterprise for this country.
Ansary wrote a terrific book providing the reader a real image of Washington. He was not only a great public figure but a great businessman. Washington truly believed in the spirit of entrepreneurship. He clearly set the foundation for free enterprise for this country.
July 9, 2023
This is such a wonderful book! I love George Washington and every book I read I learn something new about his legacy. This book was very different from most as it contained information that most historians leave out of books about his life. It took me awhile to get through but I really enjoyed this one.
September 5, 2025
"I recently explored George Washington: Dealmaker-in-Chief by Cyrus A. Ansary, which is quite different from what I normally read. Even if history isn’t your usual genre, I’d love for you to see my review on OnlineBookClub :https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie.... Please excuse my errors...english isn't my native language ...still learning
April 29, 2022
This was a gift from Jen Butler. I am always amazed about the facets of George Washington's life that are dimly explored. His talent as a chief executive and "dealmaker-in-chief" are prime examples of our yet to be understood traits of this great man. An interesting read and a good book.
June 28, 2024
Wow!
This is an aspect of his life that I was unaware.
I would
recommend this book to everyone, especially Donald Trump, who thinks he is the master deal maker.
Mr. Ansary has the talent
of explaining things in English.
This is an aspect of his life that I was unaware.
I would
recommend this book to everyone, especially Donald Trump, who thinks he is the master deal maker.
Mr. Ansary has the talent
of explaining things in English.
October 29, 2022
Really good. Shows a whole new area about George Washington that normally isn't covered in other biographies. Well written.
May 15, 2023
The book is written carefully and in full detail. It covers about the history behind his decision-making to his legacy.
July 31, 2023
Wow! A must read. Sometimes very deep, but it really brings to life most of the characters of the period and how these United States were planted.
August 18, 2023
.75 where is my original review
March 5, 2024
Fascinating look at President Washington's efforts to spur to start of the "American" way of getting business going in the new nation.
May 17, 2025
Enjoyed this book very much learned a lot about our first president. I only wish we still had leaders like him!
June 18, 2025
great book
This book was very interesting. I recommend reading it. It was well written and well researched. I enjoyed this book.
This book was very interesting. I recommend reading it. It was well written and well researched. I enjoyed this book.
May 28, 2019
George Washington Dealmaker-In-Chief: The Story of How The Father of Our Country Unleashed The Entrepreneurial Spirit in America is an interesting read. I give it four and a half stars.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews