On a freezing night in 1778, General George Washington vanishes. Walking away from the Valley Forge encampment, he takes a fall and is knocked unconscious, only to reappear at a dog park on San Francisco Bay—in the summer of 2014.
Washington befriends two Berkeley twenty-somethings who help him cope with the astonishing—and often comical—surprises of the twenty-first century.
Washington’s absence from Valley Forge, however, is not without serious consequences. As the world rapidly devolves around them—and their beloved Giants fight to salvage a disappointing season—George, Tim, and Matt are catapulted on a race across America to find a way to get George back to 1778.
Equal parts time travel tale, thriller, and baseball saga, Finding George Washington is a gripping, humorous, and entertaining look at what happens when past and present collide in the 9th inning, with the bases loaded and no one warming up in the bullpen.
Bill Zarchy filmed projects on six continents during his 40 years as a cinematographer, captured in his first book, Showdown at Shinagawa: Tales of Filming from Bombay to Brazil. Now he writes novels, takes photos, and talks of many things.
Bill’s career includes filming three former presidents for the Emmy-winning West Wing Documentary Special, the Grammy-winning Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em, feature films Conceiving Ada and Read You Like A Book, PBS science series Closer to Truth, musical performances as diverse as the Grateful Dead, Weird Al Yankovic, and Wagner’s Ring Cycle, and countless high-end projects for technology and medical companies.
His tales from the road, personal essays, and technical articles have appeared in Travelers’ Tales and Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, the San Francisco Chronicle and other newspapers, and American Cinematographer, Emmy, and other trade magazines.
Bill has a BA in Government from Dartmouth and an MA in Film from Stanford. He taught Advanced Cinematography at San Francisco State for twelve years. He is a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area and a graduate of the EPIC Storytelling Program at Stagebridge in Oakland. Finding George Washington: A Time Travel Tale is his first novel.
This book was enormous fun to read, and teaches a lot of history to boot. The premise is that George Washington, one night during the Valley Forge encampment, has a time travel accident and ends up in our century, befriended by a guy walking his dog in a California dog park, and then by the dog walker’s best friend, who has some understandable issues with the General. Once they accept who Washington is, they realize that, unless he can be returned to his own time to lead the Continental Army to eventual victory, the history of our country, and the world, could be distorted in very unfavorable ways. With the help of assorted friends, they embark on a quest to accomplish this.
One might quibble with some of the assumptions of what would have happened if the Continentals had lost the War of Independence, or with the logic of some aspects of the time travel as portrayed, but the writing is first rate. The conversations are natural and the descriptions of places and events so well done as to be almost cinematic. (Not too surprising, as Goodreads reveals that the author is a cinematographer.)
Baseball plays an important role in this book, both because it’s a passion of the General’s rescuers and as a metaphor for the Fabian style of warfare actually used by Washington. (Look it up on the Mt. Vernon website!) And the game descriptions are as vivid as those of any professional sportscaster.
I listened to the audio version of this book, read by a very good reader.
Being a long-time Bay Area resident and SF Giants fan, I thoroughly enjoyed Finding George Washington, by Bill Zarchy. Who would have thought that baseball strategy would be an impetus for winning the Revolutionary war? I could totally envision George attending a Giants game live…how fun!
Bill has shown his great imagination in this book where past and present collide with unexpected consequences. I certainly learned a lot about our first President as a result of Bill’s meticulous research of the man. And George’s reactions to life in the 21st Century are priceless. I got a good chuckle from George’s interest in our Mendocino crop. This is an entertaining read that moves along quickly, with bad guys showing up when least expected. For your first novel, congratulations, Sir. Well done!
What fun! You'll never think of George Washington as a 2-dimensional figure from history after reading this book. Bill Zarchy brings his characters to life and takes his readers down roads (and up hills) that keep the pages turning.
This was a delightful and unexpected novel with an unusual spin on time travel. Instead of an everyday person traveling backwards or forwards in time, this one takes a historic figure (George Washington) and imagines what might happen if he suddenly found himself in 2014.
General Washington is taking a walk at Valley Forge when he suddenly lands in 2014. The disoriented general is cared for by unnamed strangers as he is whisked across the country to San Francisco. There, he meets Timothy and Matthew, 2 graduate students in Berkeley. The story is told primarily through Timothy‘s point of view, with occasional glimpses into General Washington’s thoughts.
The first few hours of the audiobook describes some of General Washington’s reactions to the inventions, advances and societal changes that have taken place since he left Valley Forge in 1778.(There were a few places where the General’s reactions to modern conveniences were summarized rather than being described in the detail I thought was needed.)
The author doesn’t gloss over Washington’s ownership of slaves. Matthew, an African-American, confronts Washington about slavery and they have some interesting conversations.
I was a bit concerned when I started this book that it might have too much about baseball in it. But that was not at all the case. It seemed to be just enough to demonstrate how much George Washington might enjoy the game and appreciate the strategies behind the mound.
A few of hours into the audiobook, readers discover what caused Washington’s time shift. We also watch as a shift in the outcome of the Revolutionary War slowly transforms the nation. As Timothy and Matthew realize the consequences of Washington’s absence from the war, they become determined to return him to Valley Forge. The second part of the book is a harrowing and entertaining race across the country to return the General to 1778.
The ending was quite satisfying. The entire book is a fun ride for time travel fans.
The narrator, David Boyll, did a fabulous job and cleverly imagined General Washington’s accent.
This book was so much fun - I'll never look at a quarter, or a dollar bill, or the Washington Monument, for that matter - in the same way.
It offered the best of both in terms of learning and fun. I discovered so much about George Washington through reading Zarchy's book, which was also a fun, wild, and quirky romp. I love that he travels from Valley Forge to - where else? - modern day Berkeley.
The time travel elements were handled well, which is no small feat, and I loved the alternative realities that emerged, as well as the ways this story echoes with our crazy modern world.
I was ready for something light-hearted, entertaining and a great escape and this fit the bill. It contains three elements I love: time travel, American history, and baseball with the added attraction of the backdrop of San Francisco (my favorite city). What happens when General Washington vanishes out while taking a wintry walk at Valley Forge and wakes up on a boxcar in 2014 near a Bay area dog park? I'll say no more, except that the reader is in for a very enjoyable ride. I've already ordered a second copy and it's on the way to my favorite baseball fan/avid reader.
For a time travel adventure with fun, danger, and baseball, have a look at Finding George Washington. This story is a fresh take on the time travel concept. The father of the United States, George Washington, gets pulled from Valley Forge to present-day California. He meets a young man, Tim, and his friend Matt. These two and their cohorts guide George around their present.
George’s discovery of technology, culture, and baseball is charming. His reactions are believable and entertaining. When the guys show him around the twenty-first century, George says things that are food for thought, and the guys, especially Matt, bring up serious issues, such as slavery. Matt really makes George think and consider such important things.
Matt and Tim must get George safely back to his own time, or all will be lost. Already, the world around them his changing. The United States are regressing into a broken-down colony. Fascinating changes occur as time is in the midst of changing. The race against time is interlaced with baseball.
This is a well-written escapist book that will have fans of history and time travel smiling often. Why not give it a try?
I was provided with a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this story. It offered bits of quite literal history along with that underlying notion that history teaches while still evolving. We can't rewrite history we can and must continue to learn from it, protect it, and respect it. This is one of the more enjoyable TT books I've read in a long time. One note of the off putting hysteria of organized, professional sports. I don't follow any sort of sports events other the annual Army v. Navy tumbles, antics and talent. So for me the baseball drivel was pretty much a non-issue. I don't dislike sports but I don't approve of the overreaching financial onus associated with all levels of all competition. Salaries of all the people involved are grotesque and unnecessary. There always seems to be some player, coach, staff, Commissioner, or other figure involved with professional gaming involved in scandal, domestic violence, graft, greed, drugs, or even animal abuse that is revealed to the fading public and fans as morally corrupt, entitled, or obnoxious in some way. Those involved in professional sports are supposed to be role models for young people but instead are often found to be criminally contemptuous and legally allowed to either make a hefty donation to a worthy cause or sponsor some sort of sports events to stay out of prison and yet remain in the organization. That's not something to admire, its something to prosecute. For my tastes the author could have chosen any other bit of trivia or commonality and still had a good book to sell. One star for the baseball thing. It was boring and unnecessary. Otherwise strongly recommend this book as an enjoyable TT adventure.
It's always so nice to read books written by someone you personally know. In my case it's mainly been The Hillermans -- Tony and his daughter Anne of mystery fame. Now Bill's on that list. And what could possibly go wrong with a story about baseball and a bit of interesting history that typically hasn't received as much attention as it probably should? The chapter titles -- no there's not much talk about chapter titles -- do an admirable job of teasing the reader onward. "Well just finished 'Dogs,' but wait! Next comes 'Kiss.'" It's also clear Bill took his book writing job seriously in many ways. Surely wish I could have been on that research train trip from California to Philadelphia and other locales featured as George was returned to his proper time and place.
So, after reading two books last month about baseball and time traveling ("If I Never Get Back" and "Two in the Field") into the past, I happily came across a book called "Finding George Washington". In 1788 Valley Forge, George stumbles into a time warp and ends up in 2014 San Francisco!! Now, that's an eye-opener!! He is found by grad-student Tim, who offers him shelter while they try to figure out what has happened. Is this really the future 1st President of the U.S., or just an imposter?? Very amusing book - talk about a fish-out-of-water scenario. Kudos to Bill Zarchy for an original idea that was enjoyable to read.
This was a time travel story that revolved around baseball as it related to life. It starts when George Washington finds himself in a strange environment after going for a walk for some fresh air at Valley Forge. He is found by a young college student and the entire book involves the student and his friends trying to get George Washington back to his own time to save the revolution.
The book is full of modern day cliches that might not relate well to everyone, but is entertaining enough.
While wintering at Valley Forge, George Washington time travels to 2014 San Francisco to watch the Giants win the World Series. A young adult novel that has history, time travel, and baseball. There is also a decent discussion on how many of the founding fathers, including Washington, were slave holders.
Interesting premise, even though I generally avoid time travel books like the plague. George Washington’s discussion of slavery with a 21st century African-American is worth reading the whole book for.
Finding George Washington made a time travel believer out of me! Well, not exactly, but Bill Zarchy’s talent for storytelling and his keen imagination brought George Washington alive for me in a way history books never have. From the moment the “General” steps off a rear porch of a house in Valley Forge to get some air, the story captivated me. Throughout his time travel adventure, I tagged along with Tim, Matt and the others, as they attempted to ensure George Washington’s safe return from 2014 back to 1778. Not only is Finding George Washington a fascinating, well-paced time travel story, but Zarchy masterfully provokes the reader to think seriously about the United States of America as it is now, and what it could have been had the Continental Army commanded by George Washington not defeated the British Army. Finding George Washington is a must read for anyone who enjoys history coming alive in a story told by a very accomplished storyteller. Happy reading, Linda Guzzo
Although this book's writing style is simplistic, the plot presents the reader w/a lot of fascinating & whimsical fun, as George Washington unwittingly time-travels forward to 21st century San Francisco, California, to meet some grungy grad students who teach him the ways & means of modern computer gaming & baseball, while trying to find a path back home for him. Amusing, light-hearted & entertaining, the book also provides a basic history of our country, while tackling some of the controversial practices of our forefathers: such as their purchase & holding of slaves (one of the Cali grad students is black & respectfully challenges George to defend his stances & practices), which makes for very stimulating subject matter, as the fictional GW attempts to respond to this debate. Very easy reading, w/short chapters that fly by quickly. There are, of course, some believability-gaps; but that goes w/the territory! Enjoyed it.
I had such a fun time reading Finding George Washington, I found it hard to put the book down. It was jam-packed with adventure, history, suspense, and twists & turns. All of that in addition to a thought-provoking suggestion of how the United States would be completely different had the British prevailed. Bill Zarchy's imaginative story-telling as well as excellent plot and character development put the book on the top of my list as one of the best books I read in 2024.
Fascinating time travel book. It doesn't lag or get bogged down in possible science; it's just a really interesting picture of "what if?". According to what I've read, the depiction of George is very accurate. All in all, A very enjoyable book.
This was a fun read! The things they do are funny and picturing Geo. Washington in our century, was a fun thing to do. I like time travel stories and found this one to be quite good.
I like time travel books, so why not? But I wasn’t sure whether this was going to be Bill and Ted meet George Washington or a look at George Washington through a science fiction or alt-history lens. And the answer was neither.
Initially the story meandered quite a bit--not quite funny, but not entirely serious--while the author apparently also was trying to figure out what it was going to be. And it seems like he couldn’t really decide either.
It never gets as absurd as a Tim Dorsey novel or as poignant and textured as one by Daryl Brock. But its saving grace is an interesting idea that grabbed ahold of me once it finally got going. And aside from an awkward and unlikely romance that feels like it was tacked on at the behest of a well-meaning editor, it was a fun ride.
Intriguing book in which George Washington is accidentally invited to 2014 Berkeley to see the fruition of his heroic part in winning the American Revolution. Unfortunately, he must be sent back to 1778 quickly, or the 13 colonies will remain colonies, and California will be Russian or Spanish territory... I especially liked the love story. Since most of us have not experienced time travel, who are we to tell how it really works. The author's story is based on his own readings of various time travel scenarios, and his interpretation is interesting...
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love the idea of time travel and this offered a unique explanation and device for traveling through time. I always like books that are centered in the Bay Area and appreciated the use of the Giants and their World Series season of 2014. It brought back some good memories of that year. Zarchy made good use of the Bay Area as an integral part of the story. I highly recommend this book.
Different take on time travel. George Washington finds himself in 2014 San Francisco, catapulted there by an earthquake. His reactions to the 21st century are amusing, but the bigger problem is getting him back where he belongs before history is irrevocably changed. In the meantime we learn surprising things about the FBI, the CIA, and the Department of Homeland Security. And the Father of Our Country.
Zarchy seamlessly weaves the history of the Revolution and America's favorite past time together to create a wildly entertaining, page-turning buddy-adventure with a cast hilarious, yet genuine of characters. It will definitely leave you contemplating what you thought you knew about our first Founding Father and the impact of what the American War for Independence truly meant for our nation and the world.
Generous 3 stars. The baseball stories and moving sailboat don't convey symbolism toward George Washington story. Story really starts around page 160 when the boys finally get off butts and head to Valley Forge. Why did they sit around watching tv baseball for weeks instead??? Yet switching trains and watching out windows and finding beds is mainly distraction. Finally some vague attacks happen like keystone cops. I think author meant this to be a rollicking humorous story by adding bizarre pop up people and events occasionally. The intended humor is out of context with the way history and events presented so is jarring and awkward. This could have been a really interesting story about showing Washington personality, his skills, thinking process. Hell, take him to DC and show him his legacy, that would have been interesting. Instead, he is dressed as laid back graduate student who can't remember words but is good looking. His humor and strength and farming knowledge is hinted at. BTW, waaay too soon to try and poke fun at or worse convey maga alt facts about FBI as deep state minions. Fiction writers needs to realize they effect the way people view branches of govt; therefore, creating the 4 years of attacks on FBI just for those false impressions as the ever present bad guy. That J Edgar Hoover FBI existed in what year? Not 2014.
I listened on Audible and gave up after 2 hours of listening at 1.2 speed. It never really seemed to be going anywhere but in circles. It did not hook me so I went on to greener pastures.
Fast moving, engaging plot. A book I found really hard to put down. I think I will do some research on General Washington especially as I live on a Washington street!