What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedHis Excellency
Joseph J. Ellis · Book · 2004
If you loved His Excellency, start with Washington (Matthew Ginsburg, 2020) — a series on the same thread. Below: 1 film, 2 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to His Excellency across media.
What hooked you in His Excellency was the way the immense weight of statecraft reveals the man behind the monument.
Films on the same thread
Young Washington
Jon Erwin · Film · 2026
Explores: coming-of-age, leadership development, political alliances.
Much like the nuanced portrait of Washington in His Excellency, this film strips away the legend to focus on the formative moral burdens and leadership development of his youth.
Series on the same thread
Washington
Matthew Ginsburg · Series · 2020
Shares a thread with His Excellency: Presidential Biography.
This miniseries mirrors the scholarly depth of His Excellency by exploring the reluctant heroism and heavy sacrifice required to transition from a loyal subject to a nation-building leader.
John Adams
Kirk Ellis · Series · 2008
Shares a thread with His Excellency: Nation Building.
If you appreciated the political complexity of His Excellency, you will value this dramatization of John Adams, which captures the same intimate tensions and Founding Father dynamics of the era.
Podcasts on the same thread
Jocko Podcast
Jocko DEFCOR Network · Podcast · 2026
Explores: discipline, stoicism, accountability.
This podcast echoes the exploration of command found in His Excellency, offering a modern, philosophical look at the discipline and accountability necessary to navigate the burden of leadership.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
Fans of the historical rigor in His Excellency will appreciate this long-form analysis, which examines the moral ambiguity and consequences of power through a similarly profound and unconventional lens.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is His Excellency considered a comprehensive biography of George Washington?
Yes, His Excellency is described as a landmark biography that aims to bring to life the complexity of George Washington, who the author identifies as the most important and least understood figure in American history.
What primary sources did Joseph J. Ellis use to write His Excellency?
To write His Excellency, Joseph J. Ellis drew from the newly catalogued Washington papers to provide a detailed and lyrical account of George Washington's life.
How does the writing style of His Excellency compare to other works by Joseph J. Ellis?
His Excellency reflects the author's established reputation, as Joseph J. Ellis has written seven highly acclaimed books. This specific biography is noted for its careful attention to detail and lyrical prose, which set a new standard for the genre.
When was His Excellency by Joseph J. Ellis published?
His Excellency, a landmark biography of George Washington written by Joseph J. Ellis, was published in 2004.