On the surface, this book sounds rather simple. The author and his wife, not to mention their dog, will trace the travel route George Washington took post-election as the first president. Their dog Dora, a Toller, aka Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, accompanies them because, according to legend, Washington was accompanied by his dog on the journey. As a long-time history buff, college history major, and then a history teacher, I felt an immediate connection to the big idea, not to mention I've been owned by a Toller. As a result, even though #NetGallery didn't approve me for an official review there, I simply couldn't resist at least a quick review.
There is a great deal to take in from the book. Not only is history and the very human characters behind the historical events recounted, author Philbrick shares his own adventures as they follow the same then barely trail in places that was taken by Washington and those who accompanied him. Philbrick doesn't shy away from Washington's ownership of slaves, I was happy to see, including the account of one of his wife's dower slaves (inherited) who escaped and his efforts to retrieve her. Washington lost a few points with me on this one but did finally release his slaves upon his death. The dower slaves owned by his wife by way of inheritance, btw, remained slaves until Martha Washington freed them some time after her husband's death. Sadly, she didn't seem in any rush to do so.
Aside from this, other events, places, and personalities are seen within this 300+ page work. There is so much packed into this book that I couldn't even begin to detail it. I loved the look at characters most of us only really know from faded history books, especially that Philbrook was able to look at them in their times as well as frequently find humor in events. To show how up-to-date the book is, when discussing visiting "the room where it happened," note the "Hamilton" musical nod, Philbrook laughing recalls having the bench that Lin-Manuel Miranda sat on to write that general section of the musical pointed out to him. He was also shown a plaque later in the journey that read "Washington dripped here", a bit of a change from the ones along the route about Washington having slept or eaten in places. You'll have to read the book to find out what was meant because I'm not telling. You need to read it all, take it all in, think, and ponder all that Philbrick's work reveals to us without us having to go to the extent that he did to gain the insight the experience gave him.
Bottom line, while being informative and entertainingly written, the book made me think. It was hard not to see the parallels of current political differences erupting from the pages of history. Just as our nation was evolving at the time Washington made the then incredible journey of over a thousand miles, our nation continues to evolve and, yes, erupt at times. Makes me wonder how some author a hundred plus years in the future will look back on our own era. Yes, this book made me curious, chuckle, and, think. If you're a history buff or just want to know more about what brought us to this point of time from the beginning days of our nation, "Travels With George" should be on your reading list.
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