Volume 2 of The Life begins with some early biography, but moves quickly to Washington's military career as a colonel in the battles against the French in Canada until the cessation of his tenure, after which he marries and appears to settle down. But, of course he is called to lead the troops fighting in the revolution against England about which leadership the remaining of Volume 2 is dedicated to the point of the American rejection of England's Plan for Reconciliation.

Volume five of John Marshall's biography follows Washington through his second term ending in the election of John Adams and Washington's retirement to Mount Vernon. This narrative continues the careful and intriguing analysis of the subjects of the previous volume as America navagtes with Washington's wise captaincy the complicated and sometimes violent foreign and domestic conflicts of the young, developing nation.