Military Review English Edition November-December 2014 | Page 123

MR REVIEW ESSAY

BLOOD OF TYRANTS
George Washington and the
Forging of the Presidency
Logan Beirne, Encounter Books, New York, 2013, $27.99, 420 pages

Lt. Col. Harry C. Garner, U.S.
Army, Retired

I

n his thought-provoking book Blood of Tyrants:
George Washington and the Forging of the Presidency,
Logan Beirne addresses Washington’s approach to
four policy dilemmas also faced by post-9/11 presidents:
prisoner abuse, congressional war power, military tribunals, and Americans’ rights.
In a remarkably well-researched volume, Beirne draws
from reams of primary source documents to cast a light
on many facts related to Washington that have been
largely overlooked by history. In doing so, he strips away
the stereotypical facade of the stoic, aloof Washington
and depicts instead a passionate and fearless leader devoted to the revolutionary cause. He goes on to portray
Washington as an honorable and ethical man who struggled with dilemmas similar to those facing modern presidents. Beirne unveils an uncompromising revolutionary
warrior and administrator who was also relentless and,
at times, ruthless and savage in what he believed was the
defense of American freedom. In doing so, Washington
set precedents that define presidential powers today.
Beirne begins the narrative with a concise journey
through the crucible of Washington’s early military
career. He then details Washington’s leadership of the
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