Washington often receives praise for refusing a salary when he commanded our military forces during the American Revolution. Instead, he only asked Congress to pay his expenses. Knowing what Congress did for itself, and has continued to do through our nation's entire history, it should have known better. Instead of being paid about $48,000 for the eight years he commanded the Continental Army, Washington submitted expenses of almost $450,000. And Congress paid it too!
But then the co-author relates on the last page that when Washington was elected as our first president, and offered once again to forgo a salary and just submit expenses, Congress refused this gallant offer!
While Kitman, who refers to himself in the book as only being a coauthor, does overdo his humor on some pages, I thought the book as a whole was a hoot! As I am very familiar with the history of the Revolution, some of the expenses referred to were of things I was aware of.
When the Baltimore Sun newspaper reviewed the book, it stated: "One of the best business books of all time...a masterpiece of expense accounting, the classic in its field...every member of the expense crowd must have a copy." There are times I believe many of our politicians have read this book and memorized how Washington creatively submitted his expenses.
Note on the text: Although 336 pages long, much of the space is taken by the listing of expense account items. As a result, the page fly by.
But then the co-author relates on the last page that when Washington was elected as our first president, and offered once again to forgo a salary and just submit expenses, Congress refused this gallant offer!
While Kitman, who refers to himself in the book as only being a coauthor, does overdo his humor on some pages, I thought the book as a whole was a hoot! As I am very familiar with the history of the Revolution, some of the expenses referred to were of things I was aware of.
When the Baltimore Sun newspaper reviewed the book, it stated: "One of the best business books of all time...a masterpiece of expense accounting, the classic in its field...every member of the expense crowd must have a copy." There are times I believe many of our politicians have read this book and memorized how Washington creatively submitted his expenses.
Note on the text: Although 336 pages long, much of the space is taken by the listing of expense account items. As a result, the page fly by.
The actual expense account parts were interesting, and the humor was decent. I do wish there was more historical explanation/discussion on some of the entries. I have a suspicion there is more information out there on some, but the author thought it detracted from his humorous discussion. The Introduction's humor, was really stretching, forced/shoehorned in. I almost didn't read past the Intro, but I'm glad I did. The rest of the book was much better.
