In 1791, shortly after the United States won its independence, George Washington personally asked Pierre Charles LEnfanta young French artisan turned American revolutionary soldier who gained many friends among the Founding Fathersto design the new nation's capital. LEnfant approached this task with unparalleled vigor and passion; however, his imperious and unyielding nature also made him many powerful enemies. After eleven months, Washington reluctantly dismissed LEnfant from the project. Subsequently, the plan for the city was published under another name, and LEnfant died long before it was rightfully attributed to him. Filled with incredible characters and passionate human drama, Scott W. Bergs deft narrative account of this little-explored story in American history is a tribute to the genius of Pierre Charles L'Enfant and the enduring city that is his legacy.From the Trade Paperback edition.