"If President George Washington were alive - as in much of his legacy he still is - he would not be as surprised at how our country conducts itself as one might think. For all around us is vivid evidence of the precedents that Washington himself set, benign results of the remarkable foresight of this great and good man." "Dr. North Callahan has been described as that "rare academician who combines impeccable scholarship with an extraordinarily readable style." In this book, he dramatically portrays in human terms the Father of our Country and his inestimable bequests. The principles Washington personified are a powerful part of our modern society; this in spite of cynics who try futilely to tear him down." "The author shows that most of the lasting precedents by George Washington were set during his second term as president, from 1793-97. This was also the most painful and challenging period of his peacetime life as he struggled to mold the new republic into an enduring nation." "Among Washington's problems were: the lack of American precedents to guide him; the troublesome French envoy, Edmund Genet, who caused the government its greatest diplomatic crisis; the bitter feud between his two great cabinet members, Hamilton and Jefferson; the ghastly yellow fever epidemic of 1793; the colorful Whiskey Rebellion; the controversial Jay's Treaty with England; the rise of political parties; and the resulting furious criticism of President Washington by partisans and press." "Samuel Eliot Morison said that "Washington's services in time of peace have never been adequately appreciated." Thanks, Mr. President goes far in remedying this. Some skeptics have accused Washington of being irreligious, extravagant and self-centered. North Callahan herein proves him to have been a devout Christian gentleman, financially conscientious and the most magnanimous leader in American history."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved