Not what I expected, maybe you will feel differently.

This is the most thoroughly researched book I have ever read. 1179 pages is a daunting task, indeed,, although the appendixes, footnotes and references take up 454 pages of small print. this book rewrites the recently rewritten history that has for many years claimed Washington was a Deist. The currently accepted research is looked at critically in great detail. All Deist arguments are refuted by Washington's own words. For a shortened but well researched version, read part I, about 63 pages,then select the chapters of interest,according to the contents. Be sure to read 34 - 36, as these(especially 36) summarize all else well. You will gain a great appreciation for the faith of George washington and how it formed his view of "The sacred Fire" of true Liberty

good but long

It's too much to read!!

Almost halfway through this tomb of a book. I must say, this work really leaves no stone unturned and dismantles the claims by modern scholars that Washington was a Deist like Jefferson or Franklin. Lillback makes an excellent case that Washington was in fact in the tradition of Low Church Anglicanism and was very active in his service of the church. One intriguing fact I had not known before was that Washington served on the Religion Committee (along with Patrick Henry and Richard Henry Lee) when he served in the House of Burgesses. Part of the purpose of this committee was to stem the tide of Deistic influence in Virginia. Hard to imagine a Deist serving in this capacity.

Update: I finally completed this book and I highly recommend it. Another thing I learned was just how connected the Masons were with Christianity in the eighteenth century. It was only at the end of the eighteenth and into the early nineteenth century that Masonry moved away from Christianity. Many Christians, like Washington in his early life, were members of the masonry. This book is massive and with its endless appendices and hundreds of end notes, anyone that takes up the task to argue for a deistic Washington in the future must deal with the arguments of this work.

A very comprehensive biography on Washington's Christianity. Quite extensive and thorough, this book should put to rest any false and ludicrous claims that Washington was a Deist. Quite the contrary. This book is well researched, extremely well documented, and very explicit on his love of and devotion to God. From quotes to experiences to personal accounts, there is ample proof that Washington prayed, attended religious meetings, was affiliated with a place of worship, and held deep convictions in a Supreme Being.

This book was quite an undertaking. I kept it on my nightstand and mostly read a handful of pages prior to going to bed most nights. Most of the writing and accounts are interesting; though I have to admit to skipping a chapter because some of the material seemed a bit tedious to me. I can only imagine the amount of time and energy that went into compiling such a body of work.

George Washington is and will always will be one of my favorite and beloved historical figures. I gained greater insight into his personal and religious life. What a remarkable man.

Extensively researched, this book is the final word on who Washington was. Not as easy to read as other biographies, but a breath of fresh air on the fact of his faith. Unfortunately others downplay or are dishonest concerning Washington’s devout Christianity. But this is who the man was! I recommended this book to those who love American history. A must read!

George Washington was a Christian

I really liked the book and the many sources sited. The one negative is the constant questioning of Thomas Jefferson's Christian beliefs- why work so hard to prove Washington was a Christian and yet perpetuate the Deist lies hoisted upon Jefferson? Others can disagree with my analysis of Jefferson, and this is not written about him, but to point out at every opportunity that he was not "an orthodox believer in Jesus by virtually anybody's reckoning" is reckless to put it kindly.
Bittom line, "Sacred Fire" is a fine, well-sourced book venerating the Father of this great nation and setting the record straight about this mighty man of Christ

I didn't realize this was a 1,000 page book. I hope I get to give it the time it deserves.

Yes, it took me 2 years to finish this book. I kept going back to reread a chapter or to check something Peter Lillback wrote with things I had been taught about George Washington. This book will open your eyes to who George Washington was and what he meant to this country. There is bit of repetitive writing, but all in all this book is well written and not, not, not dry boring History.

After you read this book, you will never be in doubt about what George Washington thought about God, the creator, and how much he revered Him.

Olasky interviewed Lillback for WORLD. For a book that "undercuts theories that America's founders emphasized Enlightenment thinking over Biblical wisdom," see Daniel Dreisbach's Reading the Bible with the Founding Fathers.

I bought this book about 5 years ago because I heard a lecture where the person referred to this book. I have it on my shelf and read it from time to time. It's massive but fascinating.