An Imperfect God: George Washington, His Slaves, and the Creation of America

When George Washington wrote his will, he made the startling decision to free his slaves, having earlier said that slaveholding was his "only unavoidable subject of regret." After groundbreaking original research, historian Henry Wiencek explores Washington's engagement with slavery at every stage of his life - as Virginia planter, soldier, politician, president, and statesman - documenting for the first time the moral transformation culminating in Washington's decision.