To Rescue the Constitution; George Washington and the Fragile American Experiment

#1 New York Times bestselling author Bret Baier presents a compelling account of how George Washington saved the Constitution—and the very foundation of the United States.

“To Rescue the Constitution is a masterful exploration of the electrifying struggle to unite a young United States.” —Jay Winik

Spanning from the battlefields of the American Revolution to the intense debates within Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, To Rescue the Constitution vividly chronicles the pivotal role Washington played in securing the nation’s future.

Washington saved the fledgling republic three times: first, by leading the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War; second, by guiding the Constitutional Convention to craft and ratify the blueprint for the nation; and third, by serving as the first president, setting critical precedents for the office and proving the Constitution’s viability.

In the aftermath of the Revolution, unity gave way to division, with the states operating as a fragile and quarrelsome confederation. Recognizing the urgent need for a stronger federal government, Washington postponed retirement at Mount Vernon to preside over the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where his steady leadership helped forge the framework of the United States.

Though not known for soaring speeches or eloquent prose, Washington’s unwavering integrity and decisive action breathed life into the Constitution, demonstrating its power through his own presidency.

Baier delivers a gripping portrait of a divided early America—one strikingly relevant to today’s challenges—while celebrating the leadership of the man who held the young republic together when it was on the brink of collapse.