George Washington

July 4th 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the United States of America’s Semiquincentennial. To celebrate and commemorate the momentous occasion, Abraham King has written a series of five volumes — the Leadership Series — analyzing in depth and breadth the works of five eminent sons of America.

In writing the series, King’s aim is to galvanize his intended audience — the young men and young women in the American republic and around the world — by drawing their attention to the essential ingredients of ambition, industry, enterprise, duty, honor, sacrifice, discipline, and action. His other objective is to make an attempt at equipping the youth with a firm grip on the evolving state of the world and on the role of our republic’s grand strategy.

The current volume of the Leadership Series focuses on George Washington. As the first President of the United States, George Washington laid the foundational framework for the executive branch and set enduring precedents that would guide his successors. His achievements included the establishment of a stable federal government, the formation of a functioning Cabinet, and the implementation of policies that strengthened the fledgling nation’s economy. Washington skillfully navigated the challenges of a divided political landscape, maintaining national unity and neutrality in foreign affairs, particularly through the Proclamation of Neutrality in 1793. His leadership during the Whiskey Rebellion affirmed the authority of the federal government, and his decision to voluntarily relinquish power after two terms solidified a tradition of democratic governance and peaceful transition of authority.

George Washington’s major speeches and writings, particularly his Inaugural Addresses and Farewell Address, reflect a deep commitment to republican values, national unity, and civic virtue. In his addresses, he emphasized the importance of the Constitution, the necessity of checks and balances, and the value of religious and moral principles in public life. His Farewell Address, a seminal document in American political thought, warned against the divisive nature of political parties, cautioned against permanent foreign alliances, and advocated for a strong sense of national identity. Collectively, Washington’s words conveyed a vision of a self-reliant, principled republic, guided by wisdom, moderation, and a steadfast dedication to liberty and public service.

As a tribute to the triumph of democracy, and to the characteristics requisite in exercising leadership to sustain and to make flourish an extraordinary republic, in this volume of the series, Abraham King examines spoken and written works of George Washington. King provides introductory essays with contextual background information and his detailed analyses in relation to each major work of Washington collected in this volume.