You Never Forget Your First by Alexis Coe

"A biography. Like a man would write." A modern biography, written by a woman, that acknowledges women and POC and endeavors to separate the man from the myth? SIGN ME UP.⠀
⠀
You Never Forget Your First by Alexis Coe caught my eye immediately with it's cheeky title and pop art portrait, making it clear from the beginning that this ain't your grandpa's biography. When it comes to this most famous of political figures, there's SO MUCH TO KNOW, but Coe provides an impeccably researched dive into Washington's world that still felt accessible to the everyday reader like me, who doesn't often read academic texts (the sections on his illnesses and likes/dislikes formatted like listcicles are a stroke of genius).⠀
⠀
There are so many things I loved about this biography. I loved how HUMAN it was. I loved how Coe explores the worship of Washington and highlights places where criticism of him has historically not happened. I loved the details about espionage and the Culper spy ring. (I was a devoted watcher of the AMC show Turn: Washington's Spies and would recommend the show if you liked the book and vice versa). Coe's mention of Never Caught by Erica Armstrong Dunbar (about Washington's runaway slave, Ona Judge) made me even more eager to read it.⠀
⠀
Watching Coe's YouTube Live after reading (and having her answer my question *EEEP*) was incredible because she absolutely shines with enthusiasm for history. There's no pretension, no condescension - this is history for everyone. And I LOVE IT.