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No more was this made clear than in Freeman's portrayal of George Washington. Aware that everyone within the new republic watched him for reassurance and guidance, Washington was very conscious of the image he projected onto the people. "It was a difficult role: somehow he had to embody the new government's dignity and authority without rising to monarchical excess." (p.43) Therefore, Washington went to excessive lengths in terms of self-presentation to harness control of his public image, not different from modern politicians. Freeman provides a great example in the suit, which Washington put on for his inauguration. The suit had to be created from plain American broadcloth that he improved with some ostentatious buttons and extras. This provides a great lesson for the reader in regards to U.S. History and its culture.

Joanne Freeman is a historian so this was written long after the events of the book took place. After Freeman examined the social customs the founding fathers had, she researched the "art of the paper war" that happened among individuals during this era for an assortment of insults and the result such clashes had in terms of the political body at the time. Elected officials used a variety of various kinds of print media to refute abuses thrown at their person. A good instance of this and a memorable quote was on page 112. That page covered 1809 and how John Adams spoke to the public to address the need to maintain America's neutrality.

The War Hawks scattered throughout Congress slammed the former president's unwillingness to defend the republic's honor pugnaciously attacking his status in local newspapers. With his honor tested, Adams rose to recover his reputation by writing a succession of letters defending his pacifist position in the Boston Patriot. This desire to destroy reputation reminds me of the time when Hatshepsut was pharaoh of Egypt and after her death, her name was erased from monuments throughout Egypt to destroy what she built. As this book features events from American history, it stands to provide future audiences with a unique perspective on something that is deeply embedded into America, and that is the life and times of the founding fathers.