George Washington rescued the nation three times: first by leading the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War, second by presiding over the Constitutional Convention that set the blueprint for the United States and ushering the Constitution through a fractious ratification process, and third by leading the nation as its first president. After the War of Independence, the states were no more than a loosely knit and contentious confederation with no strong central union. At the calling of a Constitutional Convention to meet in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787, Washington set aside his plan to retire to Mount Vernon and agreed to be a delegate. As president of the convention he successfully brought the Constitution into being. Washington then sacrificed any hope of returning to private life by accepting the unanimous election to be the nation's first president. Baier captures the critical moments when Washington's leadership brought the nation from the brink of collapse -- Adapted from jacket

Introduction: Our common ground -- Prologue: Where are the delegates? -- Part one: The making of Washington. A stroke of destiny -- The king's uniform -- Breaking point -- The colonies convene -- Part two: The call for independence. The command -- "Victory or death" -- Washington's crucible -- The final fight -- Part three: Rescuing the constitution. The unraveling union -- The scaffold of a republic -- We have a constitution -- The people decide -- Part four: The living republic. The first term -- The gift of a peaceful transition -- Afterword: In their footsteps -- Appendix: Washington's farewell address.