Austin Washington, great-nephew of George Washington, has written an engaging and lively account of our first president providing insight that can only be gained by a relation and years of research. Debunking long-lived myths and focusing on a little known book that helped to shape the character of an American hero, Washington digs deep into who George Washington was and the influences that made him a great man and natural born leader.
If you are looking for a dull and dry academic biography on America's first president, you won't find it in The Education of George Washington. What you will find is a book that entices even those not truly interested in reading about history to pick up a biography on one of America's most influential historical figures. The author spends a good deal of time putting George Washington's life and actions in the context of the world in which he lived: how Washington's life was impacted by the death of his father; how living in rural Virginia led him to develop a certain mindset and talents; and what living in America during those early years was like. The book captures the everyday dangers of Colonial America that modern readers can tend to forget.
A unique aspect to The Education of George Washington is that the author connects the reader to the Father of Our Country by talking about how Washington's character developed and how the reader can also develop an equally fine character. In essence, this is not only a biography, it's to some degree a self-help book.
Washington's love of history shines through on every page. And though his style is more witty and clever than one might expect from someone with a masters degree and who has performed postgraduate research that focused on Colonial America, it is exactly his ability to connect with modern readers that makes this a winning book worth every penny spent on it. I would read it again in a heartbeat if I had the time.
Highly recommended.
File Size: 5744 KB
Print Length: 354 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1621572056
Publisher: Regnery History (February 10, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00EXCAJFC
I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.
I read this book for the following challenge:
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1 comment:
Honestly, I don't know much about Washington other than he was a president. In our Canadian schools we didn't learn much American history. If I wanted to know more though, this seems like a great resource. Thanks. Great review!
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