Military Review English Edition May-June 2016 | Page 149

BOOK REVIEWS

on his leadership in building the enduring institutions supporting liberty and freedom. The Heidlers’
detailed account positions the reader alongside the
time-weathered Washington as, with trembling
hands, he delivers the inaugural speech that launches
his eight-year presidential
journey.
As the authors narrate
this historical account, they
acquaint the reader with
Washington’s devoted wife
Martha; his loyal secretary
Tobias Lear; and his friend
Gouverneur Morris, each
of whom played a noteworthy role in shaping the
Washington presidency.
Their personal interactions
with and sustainment of
Washington provided him
with a private audience to
share his thoughts and emotions concerning the day’s
issues and challenges.
The power of Washington’s Circle: The Creation
of the President is the skillful, meticulous development of the “circle” comprised of some of American’s
greatest political practitioners, including the author
of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, Federalist
James Madison. Considered Washington’s “prime
minister” in Congress during his first term, Madison
grew disillusioned by the growth of federal power;
eventually, Madison drifted away from the president and led the opposition “Republicans” during
Washington’s second term.
Henry Knox, once a rabid revolutionary, trusted
lieutenant, and close friend of Washington, achieved
modest success as secretary of war with his creation of
the Native American pacification program, also known
as the “Civilization Plan,” but never fully overcame
his insecurity among the intellectual giants operating
within the circle. Knox loses favor with Washington for
his absence from duty during the first critical challenge to national authority, the Whiskey Rebellion.
Just as Madison was transformed from a Federalist to
a Republican, Attorney General Edmond Randolph’s
MILITARY REVIEW  May-June 2016

ascent from a quasi-states-rights anti-Federalist in the
first term to Washington’s most trusted, politically
neutral advisor during the second term testifies to the
fluctuating composition of the president’s inner circle—
and the crushing personal toll these
changes took on Washington.
By far, the book’s most enthralling storyline is the bitter personal
feud between Secretary of State
Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of
the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.
The book comes alive with vivid debate between the brilliant,
politically savvy, ultra-Federalist
Hamilton and the formable yet reserved Republican Jefferson as they
clashed over profoundly important constitutional questions and
precedent-setting policy, such as
the “Necessary and Proper” clause
of the Constitution, the creation of
a National Bank, western expansion, and relations with France
and Great Britain. The passion
of these “gifted counselors” often
was guided by conflicting political and philosophical
visions of America, and it was driven by sectionalism
and personal ambition. As the authors state, “They
would make the easy seem impossible.” However, the
combined brilliance of Hamilton and Jefferson guided
Washington in establishing a coherent, effective United
States executive branch.
David and Jeanne Heidler’s Washington’s Circle:
The Creation of the Presidency is splendidly written
and well researched. They skillfully illustrate the
leadership embodied in the first eight years of the
constitutional government in a manner that comes
alive with emotion. Their vivid descriptions of
Washington’s inner circle and detailed discussions
of their motives help create intense mental images
that place the reader alongside Washington as he
grapples with creating a new executive branch. This
book should be considered required reading for
the student of organizational leadership or United
States government.

Lt. Col. Harry C. Garner, U.S. Army, Retired,
Fort Belvoir, Virginia

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