Rose Rosetree’s Reviews > Washington: A Life > Status Update
Rose Rosetree
is 75% done
Early in his first term, President Washington has tasked himself with visiting all 13 of the states. How did he endure all the performance art required?
For the first time since starting this magnificent biography by Ron Chernow, even I am bored. All the posturing by Gov. John Hancock, especially! President George's sense of duty kept him going but (as it seems to me) just barely.
— Apr 05, 2026 05:48PM
For the first time since starting this magnificent biography by Ron Chernow, even I am bored. All the posturing by Gov. John Hancock, especially! President George's sense of duty kept him going but (as it seems to me) just barely.
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Rose’s Previous Updates
Rose Rosetree
is 78% done
Many American "leaders" did everything they could to sabotage centralized government. They reminded me of teenagers who rebelled against parental authority (in this case, England and King George).
Yet, aside from rebelling, they had few ideas about how they could make their independence actually work.
— 7 hours, 58 min ago
Yet, aside from rebelling, they had few ideas about how they could make their independence actually work.
Rose Rosetree
is 78% done
After the first State of the Union Address, President Washington made wise choices and relied upon his very able ally, Alexander Hamilton, to help him.
— 7 hours, 59 min ago
Rose Rosetree
is 73% done
Right from the first presidency, Washington had to face so much obstruction, such jealousy, and a ton of complaints.
Plus ca change in government, plus la meme chose!
— Mar 31, 2026 05:29PM
Plus ca change in government, plus la meme chose!
Rose Rosetree
is 71% done
How did Martha Washington respond to being the wife of the first president?
I'll put bluntly what biographer Chernow worked very hard to sanitize:
She never stopped resenting her life. Hated politics. Stayed at home a lot. And clamped a cheerful expression onto her face.
Okay, she did what she had to do to survive. But, really?
— Mar 26, 2026 05:39PM
I'll put bluntly what biographer Chernow worked very hard to sanitize:
She never stopped resenting her life. Hated politics. Stayed at home a lot. And clamped a cheerful expression onto her face.
Okay, she did what she had to do to survive. But, really?
Rose Rosetree
is 70% done
While planning for the Inauguration was underway, back in England, King George had a spell of insanity.
During which he imagined that HE was George Washington, being inaugurated as president.
(I figure this detail is not a "spoiler")
— Mar 24, 2026 05:24PM
During which he imagined that HE was George Washington, being inaugurated as president.
(I figure this detail is not a "spoiler")
Rose Rosetree
is 69% done
The description of America's first Presidential Inauguration was so touching.
— Mar 24, 2026 05:23PM
Rose Rosetree
is 67% done
George W. assumed the Constitution would be amended in the future. Frequently.
I wish we had done!
— Mar 20, 2026 05:31PM
I wish we had done!
Rose Rosetree
is 67% done
It really was uphill going, negotiating with holdouts for America having a constitutional convention.
George Mason, whose name adorns a university here in Virginia, voted AGAINST this. Despite his alleged brilliance.
But Washington and our country won.
— Mar 20, 2026 05:30PM
George Mason, whose name adorns a university here in Virginia, voted AGAINST this. Despite his alleged brilliance.
But Washington and our country won.
Rose Rosetree
is 65% done
George Washington is, for good reason, agonizing about whether or not to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
One reason I enjoy reading books is about history is that we can be reminded that impossibilities can really happen. Life can turn out better than we fear.
— Mar 18, 2026 06:09PM
One reason I enjoy reading books is about history is that we can be reminded that impossibilities can really happen. Life can turn out better than we fear.
Rose Rosetree
is 59% done
Why the pause? I am still awaiting renewal from Libby. Lucky you, who've been able to finish this.
— Feb 25, 2026 04:25PM
