"George Washington has always held a special place in Americans' hearts. Everyone can picture him as a white-haired statesman leading the new nation. But before he became our first president, he had already had enough adventures for several lifetimes. As a young man, he explored the wilderness of the American West, fought a disastrous military campaign against the French, pined for unrequited love, and retired. Then he became leader of the Continental Army. From the hardships and heartaches of his early years to the politics, betrayals, and victories of his public life, this is the whole story of one of America's most beloved Founding Fathers." -- Back cover.