Travels with George Audiobook By Nathaniel Philbrick cover art

Travels with George

In Search of Washington and His Legacy

Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Travels with George

By: Nathaniel Philbrick
Narrated by: Nathaniel Philbrick
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.25

Buy for $20.25

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

New York Times Best Seller

Travels with George...is quintessential Philbrick - a lively, courageous, and masterful achievement.” (The Boston Globe)

Does George Washington still matter? Best-selling author Nathaniel Philbrick argues for Washington’s unique contribution to the forging of America by retracing his journey as a new president through all 13 former colonies, which were now an unsure nation. Travels with George marks a new first-person voice for Philbrick, weaving history and personal reflection into a single narrative.

When George Washington became president in 1789, the United States of America was still a loose and quarrelsome confederation and a tentative political experiment. Washington undertook a tour of the ex-colonies to talk to ordinary citizens about his new government, and to imbue in them the idea of being one thing - Americans.

In the fall of 2018, Nathaniel Philbrick embarked on his own journey into what Washington called “the infant woody country” to see for himself what America had become in the 229 years since. Writing in a thoughtful first person about his own adventures with his wife, Melissa, and their dog, Dora, Philbrick follows Washington’s presidential excursions: from Mount Vernon to the new capital in New York; a monthlong tour of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island; a venture onto Long Island and eventually across Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The narrative moves smoothly between the eighteenth and twenty-first centuries as we see the country through both Washington’s and Philbrick’s eyes.

Written at a moment when America’s founding figures are under increasing scrutiny, Travels with George grapples bluntly and honestly with Washington’s legacy as a man of the people, a reluctant president, and a plantation owner who held people in slavery. At historic houses and landmarks, Philbrick reports on the reinterpretations at work as he meets reenactors, tour guides, and other keepers of history’s flame. He paints a picture of 18th-century America as divided and fraught as it is today, and he comes to understand how Washington compelled, enticed, stood up to, and listened to the many different people he met along the way - and how his all-consuming belief in the union helped to forge a nation.

©2021 Nathaniel Philbrick (P)2021 Penguin Audio
Americas North America Politics & Government Revolution & Founding United States Massachusetts

Critic reviews

"Both a lighthearted travelogue and a timely exploration of Washington’s historical legacy." (The Wall Street Journal)

"Philbrick’s book addresses weighty matters but is nevertheless an enjoyable read, a fitting if unusual capstone to a trilogy on the revolution. At times, the book seems like a valedictory. The author’s many readers hope not." (The Guardian)

“In Travels With George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy, his 13th book, Nathaniel Philbrick brings his proven gift as a narrator to this on-the-road part of Washington’s life.” (The Washington Post)

Captivating Historical Blend • Insightful Personal Reflections • Engaging Writing Style • Fresh Historical Perspective
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
In this book, Philbrick combines history and personal memoir, something I have not read before from this author. Philbrick follows George Washington’s travels through the US while he was president mixed with engaging stories about himself. Sometimes it get's a little dry but overall it's a good read that I would recommend.

Also, the author does a pretty good job as narrator.

Delightful history

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This book couldn't be more timely—its insights are incredibly relevant to the events unfolding at the time it was written and even more so today. It's not only brilliantly written but also exceptionally accessible, making its important message all the more impactful.

An absolutely brilliant book that is very easy to read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

If you like early American History I strongly recommend this book. Serveral things I learned about Washington I never had read are heard about him personally the author writes in this book. Also growing up in the small community of Reeds in North Carolina I knew Washington had traveled thru between Salisbury and Salem and had stop at a Traven called th Red House Inn for lunch. Growing up the traven was located on the property own by best friend parents. We would play around were the traven location and you see the trsven foundation and the dug out cellar.

Evan's Review

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Riveting book. He really did a good job capturing the humanity of President Washington.

As an 11th generation American, living in Massachusetts, surrounded by the history of our republic; I wish we had a centrist, compromising leader like President Washington today. Someone to Lead us back to the unity our Republic needs.

God Bless America.

Fantastic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

excellent book. having it be read by the author was a great addition to the story. the book adds much needed depth to the character of George Washington.

excellent narrative

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Love Philbricks work, this was a mix of history and current political commentary which seems like everyone’s game these days.

I get it…

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

very well done. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. A 5 star book !

A great read !

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Nothing Philbrick writes EVER disappoints. Wonderful story, wonderful journey.
The history he presents in our own backyards is a masterpiece.

What a ride!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

My favorite type of history book — where the author shares historical facts mixed with their own reflections and personal experiences. The book had more on slavery than I was expecting, but that is a good thing.

An interesting trip

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy by Nathaniel Philbrick is a captivating blend of biography and travelogue that takes readers on a journey through the life and times of George Washington. Philbrick retraces Washington's footsteps on three pivotal journeys, weaving together historical insights with his own experiences to provide a fresh perspective on the Founding Father.
The book is not just a historical retelling; it's a thoughtful exploration of Washington's character and legacy. Philbrick challenges traditional portrayals of Washington as a stoic and emotionless figure, revealing a man who was deeply human, complex, and flawed. Through his travels, Philbrick brings Washington to life, allowing readers to connect with him on a deeper level.
Travels with George is a must-read for anyone interested in American history or in gaining a better understanding of one of the nation's most iconic figures. Philbrick's engaging writing style and insightful analysis make this book both informative and enjoyable.

Agree with negative reviews but still enjoyed it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews