Book Review: The Arrows of Malevolence
Of the list of books I have building on Goodreads, there is one that I have had for a while but only just recently started to work on. For some time now I have been mulling over the idea of reading a book about each U.S. President. This desire stems from my love for history, America, and hearing stories about great leaders. Even more, reading about past Presidents feels as though I’m almost reading about my own history – how I got here because of what these men did in their lives.
As you might assume, I’ve started my list at the beginning: George Washington. I must disclose that when it comes to reading history books, there are a few different options and styles to choose from. There are authors who write exhaustively, who try to fit every last detail of a person’s life into a multi-volume work. There are other authors who focus solely on one aspect of a person’s life – this is an easier trap for authors writing about Presidents, because one might write simply about the man’s life just as President and nothing more. Thus, for my own sake, I have limited my choice of biographies on not necessarily which book has been rated the highest or is the most robust, but on which one tells the President’s entire life and is a manageable read (around 300 pages or so).
For George Washington, I chose to read Joseph J. Ellis’ book, His Excellency: George Washington (2005). Ellis does a wonderful job developing the man behind the legend. Everyone automatically stands in awe of George Washington because he was a respected war hero and the first President. Ellis even describes in moments where people living in the time of Washington felt this way about him – that he was a man above others, resolute, and untouchable by others. M
embers of his cabinet even struggled with how to work within the confines of this new government all the while not trying to come across as though they disagreed with Washington.
Some of Ellis’ greatest insights came from his descriptions of Washington’s in-between times. Before Washington came into the spotlight in the Revolutionary War, between the War and his taking office, and the time between his service as President and death, Ellis is sure to give attention to the humanity of Washington. Here was an incredible man who led this infant country in a resounding way but here also was a man who worried about his crops and family, took care of his estate, and stressed over his own health. Washington was an all-around statue of American character (well, maybe what it used to mean): he was slow to speak, stubborn in his beliefs, and secure in his integrity.
One quote of Washington that resonated with me came out during his tenure as President of the United States. Washington had been struggling with opposition and others who had started spreading rumors about his ailing health, distracted mind, and feeble disposition. Opponents targeted Washington as a senile man who was slowly becoming unfit to lead the country. It is in response to these attacks that Washington is quoted, “The arrows of malevolence,” he observed, “however barbed and well pointed, never can reach the most vulnerable part of me; though, while I am up as a mark, they will be continually aimed.” Washington understood why people threw accusations at him. Even more, he was wise enough to understand that this was in part because of the leadership position he was in: President of the United States. He knew he stood as an easy target because of this pedestal. He guarded his heart from these attacks, making sure that he did not allow the negative remarks of others to impact and change who he knew he was.
Overall, Ellis does a fantastic job giving an insightful biography of our nation’s first President. If you ever want to read about George Washington and the life of this man who was so much more than just the President of the United States, then please check oh Ellis’ retelling of Washington’s life and legacy!