Reviews (9)

A peek at His Excellency
I think that Joe Ellis acquitted himself quite well insofar as his stated goal. He wasn't attempting a comprehensive treatment of Washington but was trying to breathe some life in the marble bust that is our dollar bill occupant.
Discrediting an American Hero
I purchased this book with the objective of being inspired by the life of one of the greatest heroes that has ever lived and who's legacy of exemplary character has survived the scrutiny of historians and the tests of time.
Worthy read but short of monumental
One reviewer here stated, "George Washington is portrayed as a self-centered egotistical maniac who slaughtered thousands of people (American soldiers) just to satisfy his personal goals and pride."That is false.While Ellis somewhat dwells on Washington's alleged negative traits and places him at times in an unfair light, he does not portray our first president as an "egotistical maniac" or anything remotely close to it.Ellis's book is Washington light, but upfront he tells us that is his purpose.As to conjecturing, it is true that Ellis makes educated guesses but less so than William C. Davis in his bio of Jefferson Davis, a man who is far better documented than Washington.The fact is that Martha burned her husband's letters after his death and denied the world a personal view of the father of our country.Some guesswork by historians is inevitable because old George did not wear his heart on his public sleeve.This work does not contain all the known facts about Washington, but it is worth reading. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Generals    7. Historical - General    8. History: American    9. Presidents    10. Presidents & Heads of State    11. U.S. President    12. United States    13. United States - 18th Century    14. United States - Colonial Period    15. United States - Revolutionary War    16. History / United States / Revolutionary Period (1775-1800)   

Reviews (5)

An excellent overview.
Does character define destiny? Here's a fine comparative biography of two greats in GEORGE WASHINGTON AND BENEDICT ARNOLD: A TALE OF TWO PATRIOTS, which contrasts personalities, objectives, lives and achievements. One rose above his enemies, the other joined them. Psychological and historical insights blend in an excellent overview.
An excellent history of the Revolution and an examination of the character of its hero and its great villain
This book was a pleasure to read.It presents aspects of the Revolutionary Warin ways that are often not given us.Too often, the founding is presented as a united band of enlightened brethren who created the founding documents with only minor differences.Washington is often depicted as the transcendent leader who was universally lauded.And Benedict Arnold is the brand name for traitor.Well, this terrific history by Dave R. Palmer, who was the superintendent of West Point, presents a realistic picture of the struggles Washington had in leading the armed forces and all those who had designs in removing him and advancing themselves or a favorite in his place.And the heroic contributions of Benedict Arnold in important battles through Saratoga are also noted.
This books answers a lot of questions
Like most Americans, my knowledge of Benedict Arnold was limited.I never fully understood why he betrayed his country nor did I appreciate all he meant to the war effort before he did, until I read this book.It fills in all the blanks.Arnold was a complicated man whose ego was his undoing.It's also fascinating to see the trajectory of his life compared to his contemporary, George Washington.I highly recommend this one.
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Subjects:  1. American loyalists    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Generals    5. Historical - General    6. Historical - U.S.    7. History    8. Military    9. Military - United States    10. Presidents & Heads of State    11. Revolutionaries    12. United States    13. American history    14. History / General    15. USA   

Reviews (71)

Disturbingly realistic.Rieckhoff's book rings true.
Would you like to know what it would be like to be a soldier during the early months of the Iraq occupation?Rieckhoff's book is the place to start.
A Truly Great Personal Story
If you are looking for a war story, want to learn more about life in Iraq, or are just curious to know what it must be like to be a soldier... you hear all of that in this book. Most of all though, it is a well-written, truly great personal story that touches the part in all of us who grew up American, and constantly weaves its myth with reality.

These Words Are Worth a Thousand Pictures
I didn't read this book----I watched it. When done, you'll be reaching for your virtual reality goggles and wishing it wasn't over.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. History - Military / War    5. Iraq War, 2003-    6. Military    7. Military - Iraq War    8. Military - United States    9. Military - Veterans    10. Military History - 1990-    11. Military Personal Narratives    12. Personal narratives, American    13. Soldiers    14. United States    15. History / Military / Veterans   

Editorial Review

As commander of the Continental army, George Washington united the American colonies, defeated the British army, and became the world's most famous man. But how much doAmericans really know about their first president? Today, as Pulitzer Prize-winner Joseph J. Ellis says in this crackling biography, Americans see their first president on dollar bills, quarters, and Mount Rushmore, but only as "an icon--distant, cold, intimidating." In truth, Washington was a deeply emotional man, but one who prized and practiced self-control (an attribute reinforced during his years on the battlefield).Read more

Reviews (149)

Get Ready to Dig In...
Joseph Ellis is not for the faint of heart.He writes about washington like a man who has read EVERYTHING washington wrote.That's becuase he read everything Washington wrote...and was written about what he said.Therefore, one must be prepared to display more than a passing interest in Washington to get through this book.Having said that, getting through it is a worthwhile endeavor.In my learning life, I am now officially done with Washington.This book gives a more complete insight into his life as any other I have read.

Monumental
They were giants. Franklin, Paine, Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Adams, and Monroe. Names synonymous with greatness. But if they were the rock stars of their time, George Washington was Elvis, Mick and the Beatles rolled into one. Standing six feet three inches, athletically built, well bred and handsome, he could have come direct from central casting. But, while he never lost site of the benefits of form, this was truly a man of action. When others fretted about French/Indian incursions in the Ohio territories, farmer Washington took up arms and became Colonel Washington, the citizen warrior. When the British moved to occupy Massachusetts, he again left his beloved Mt. Vernon to lead men into battle. Lead here is the operative word. Through the discerning eyes of Joseph Ellis, a historian who can also write, we glimpse the human inside the monument. A reluctant warrior, Washington is more wily Fabius thanbold Caesar, more Eisenhower strategist and less straight-ahead Patton. But, if Allied Commander Ike had his hands full with Patton, Monty and DeGaulle, imagine controlling uber-egos like Hamilton, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson and Madison. Even during their most virulent political battles, Jefferson, Adams and the rest knew His Excellency General Washington was the headman. Yet, the capstone of his greatness came not when the general ascended to His Excellency Emperor Washington but when he became simply Mr. President.

Washington from a distance
I liked the very readable style the book is written in. It doesn't get bogged down on minute details but gives the readers an overall picture of Washington, with a heavy focus on his political life.
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Subjects:  1. 1732-1799    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Generals    7. Historical - U.S.    8. Presidents    9. Presidents & Heads of State    10. U.S. History - Revolution And Confederation (1775-1789)    11. U.S. President    12. United States    13. United States - 18th Century    14. United States - Colonial Period    15. United States - Revolutionary War    16. Washington, George,    17. Biography & Autobiography / Presidents   

Editorial Review

This is the consummate guide to the political and personal lives of every U. S. president through Bill Clinton. Arranged chronologically, Read more

Reviews (31)

The Complete Book Of U.S. Presidents
This is the complete book of U.S Presidents, revised and updated through the 2004 Election. It contains every president from George Washington to George W. Bush.
98% good boook
This book has just about every piece of information you ever wanted to know about any president in the history of the U.S.The format is easy to follow and consistent, so that comparisons are simple.As a kid, I would sit in the library reading through this book and jotting down notes (for fun, not assignment, it is so fascinating), but a summary of this book would be almost the size of the book, since it is so concise (except maybe when it mentions Bushisms--yes, it does seem unfairly biased here).One piece of trivia I felt was missing was the mention of the presidents' children who did NOT live to maturity.Overall, this is an excellent reference book.

i like the format
i like the format, knowing that the same general topics are touched on across each president.it is very entertaining reading.degregorio includes enough unusual detail and skillfully hooks the reader.i find that degregorio is "fair and balanced" in his discussions of the positives and negatives of various administrations.it's a fun book to read with our children, when i have just a few minutes to read something, etc.sometimes i wish that it were in a more traditional history-story telling format.but then, it wouldn't be the excellent book it is.i sometimes find myself wishing that it provided more details.i realize that that is impossible!20-some pages per president where over a million pages have been written on lincoln alone!this is a great starter book, stimulating me to ask more questions and look in other books.for the inexpensive price and the hours of delight i've obtained reading through it, this has been one of the best investments i've made! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Presidents    4. Reference    5. Sale Adult - History - General History    6. U.S. President    7. United States    8. United States - General    9. American history    10. Biography: historical    11. History / United States / General    12. USA    13. Sale Books   

Reviews (11)

A Garden Gallery : The Plants, Art, and Hardscape of Little and Lewis
We actually visited the gardens of Little and Lewis on Bainbridge Island, WA and they are every bit as good as shown in the book.Ordered two books for good measure!

A Garden Gallery
This is an inspirational book full of great photographs from the garden of two very creative gardeners.The book is arranged in an interview format; Mr. Lewis discusses ideas that are near and dear to him; Mr. Little shares his views.They garden together and their combined talents create a beautiful space.

Masters of Inspiration
Lewis and Little in "A Garden Gallery" have given us not only beautiful pictures, but also an interesting, informative, and inspiring book about the creativity and joy of gardening. The two authors are true artists and poets as well as master gardeners. A beautiful book to have even if you never touch a spade. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1944-    2. 1955-    3. Biography    4. Garden Design    5. Gardening    6. Gardening / Horticulture    7. Gardening/Plants    8. Landscape    9. Landscape architects    10. Lewis, David,    11. Little, George,    12. Sculptors    13. Washington (State)    14. Gardening / Garden Design   

Reviews (1)

Carver is rightous
Dr.Carver lived as a man who realized the creator in creation.This book explains his life in a story. I read this book all the way through. The book tells you how he lived so humble. He gave and gave. If you would like to know about how Dr.Carver and how he lived his life and how he overcame then this book will tell you. peace love Creation ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1864?-1943    2. African American agriculturists    3. Agriculturists    4. Biography    5. Carver, George Washington,    6. Juvenile literature    7. Scientists    8. United States   

Reviews (3)

Great measure of the man
All too often, George Washington comes across as a monument rather than a person.As the victorious general of the American Revolution and as our nation's first president, he is often depicted as the indispensable figure in the struggle to establish America as a nation, with his decisions and actions almost providential in nature.Yet Washington the man is lost amidst the adulation, leaving the reader with an incomplete picture of who he really was.
'Marble Man' of Revolutionary War speaks his mind
Like Robert E. Lee, George Washington might be considered the marble manof his time, a revolutionary whose passion doesn't burn as bright on thepages of history as, say, Thomas Paine, or as clear as Thomas Jefferson. Hemay be admired and revered, but not necessarily loved, certainly not in theway as old Marse Lee. In this splendid book, Washington finally speaks for himself
George Washington is far more revered than known; but, as this splendid book proves, when you come to know him you feel even more admiration for him.This installment in the indispensable LIBRARY OF AMERICA series gathers hundreds of Washington's letters, as well as his more formal public statements as Virginia legislator and revolutionary leader, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, advocate of federal constitutional reform, and First President of the United States.The formal public statements display the heavy style that Washington fell into when consciously speaking to posterity.It is in his letters that Washington's vigorous mind, strong emotions, and sound judgment emerge most cleary -- and that portray his humanity and his nobility most clearly and accessibly.Readers of this volume would be well-advised to read John Rhodehamel's superb chronology (appearing at the back of the book) first, and then turning to the text.If they do this, they will have!a sound chronological and historical basis for setting Washington's writings, public and private, in context and for seeing the critical founding decades of the American republic as he saw and experienced them.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1732-1799    2. Archives    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775    5. History    6. History: American    7. Presidents & Heads of State    8. Revolution, 1775-1783    9. Sources    10. U.S. President    11. United States    12. United States - Revolutionary War    13. Virginia    14. Washington, George,    15. History / United States / General    16. Washington, George   

Reviews (1)

Excellent Journal of 1880's travel through the Adirondacks
This is a compilation of stories written by George Washington Sears (a.k.a. Nessmuk) for Forest and Stream Magazine in the years 1880-1883. He paddled different custom built ultralight Rushton canoes each year,starting south of present day Old Forge, through the Fulton Chain toRaquette and reaching as far as Long Lake, Little Tupper Lake and beyond. His chronicles are enjoyable, easily readable tales of life and travel inthe wilderness of the 1880's Adirondacks.It is full of details which areinteresting to the student of Adirondack history. For instance, he allowedme to pinpoint the year of construction of the Grove Hotel (later known asthe Deerland Hotel) on Long Lake, and to give me background on it'soriginal owner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1821-1890    2. Adirondack Mountains    3. Adirondack Mountains (N.Y.)    4. Canoeing    5. Canoes and canoeing    6. Guidebooks    7. Nature/Ecology    8. New York (State)    9. Sears, George Washington,    10. Travel - United States    11. United States - General    12. White Water Canoeing And Kayaking    13. Biography: general    14. Camping & woodcraft    15. Canoeing & kayaking    16. Sears, George Washington    17. USA   

Editorial Review

As baseball legend Ted Williams lay dying in Florida, his old Boston Red Sox teammates Johnny Pesky and Dom DiMaggio piled into a car and drove 1,300 miles to see their friend. Another member of the close-knit group, Bobby Doerr, remained in Oregon to tend to his wife who had suffered a stroke. Besides providing a poignant travelogue of the elderly Pesky and DiMaggio's trip, David Halberstam's Read more

Reviews (69)

Great read
great story about long friendships originating from their days as ballplayers. The persoanlities of Doerr, Dimaggio, Pesky, and Williams really shine through in this short read. I never knew much about Dom Dimaggio before this book, after reading it he sounds like a Hall of Famer. Too bad he's not in. Williams comes off as alternatively abrasive and childlike, yet still somehow loveable. This is definitely a good story about long friendships.

Baseball, Friendship, and the Shared Experience
This is a touching, fun, and relaxed telling of the story of 4 Red Sox players from the glory days, who all these decades later, are still looking after each other.Ted, Johnny, Dom, and Bobby never won a World Series, but their nearly lifelong friendship speaks about much more than just baseball. Wonderfully told by the author, who of course, is a fan himself.

The Teammates
This is a great book. One of the best books I've read. Dom Dimaggio and Johnny Pesky is driving to Florida to visit the sick Ted Williams for the last time. On the 1,300 mi. trip to Florida, Dimaggio and Pesky look back on all the memories they had on the Red Sox with Ted and Bobby Doerr. Memories from fishing with Williams and Doerr to the field of Fenway Park. Dan Halberstam has once again created a master-piece. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1918-    2. Baseball - History    3. Baseball players    4. Biography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. DiMaggio, Dom    7. Doerr, Bobby,    8. Male friendship    9. Pesky, Johnny,    10. Sports    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Sports - Baseball    13. United States    14. Williams, Ted,    15. Sports & Recreation / Baseball / History   

Reviews (10)

Worth the time and effort
While this book is not the most electrifying or entertaining book I have ever read (even on Washington), it did answer most of my questions regarding George Washington's faith, and how it effected his outlook and actions and helped shaped the life of one of the most important figures in American history. The writing is thorough and well documented, the style is informative without being overly academic, and while I still found Washington a bit distant and even at times (as he himself wrote about God/Providence so often) "inscrutable", I feel that the authors did as well as is possible delving into the personal beliefs of one of the most private and taciturn of `public' men that ever lived.

Washington: a typical Churchman of his day
First off, let me say that I know the author and count the Novaks as friends of our family.Having said that, I am an actual Anglican, born to the old Episcopal church, baptized, confirmed, and married by the traditional Book of Common Prayer.I mention this because contemporary Episcopalianism has veered far off course from the Anglicanism of Washington's day, while I have made a serious study of just that:the Anglicanism of the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries.
George Washington, the Father of the Nation, a Statesman and True Christian
This is a well-written book about George Washington's life and religious beliefs. The authors start the book by positing some of the 20th century interpretations about George Washington beliefs, which claim that he was deist. These interpretations also scoff at Washington's oft-expressed views about Providence and Christian beliefs as mere platitudes and window dressing expressed primarily to satisfy the political needs of the day. The authors refute and rebut these interpretations based on a careful study of Washington's life starting with his formative years, growing up, early experiences in the French Indian war, participation in the pre-independence colonial state-politics, acceptance of the command of the Continental army and his leadership throughout the war of Independence, his public life thereafter and presidency and ultimately his late years and death.
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Subjects:  1. 1732-1799    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Historical - U.S.    6. Presidents    7. Presidents & Heads of State    8. Religion    9. Religion (General)    10. Religious    11. U.S. President    12. United States    13. United States - General    14. Washington, George,    15. American history: c 1500 to c 1800    16. Biography: historical    17. USA   

Reviews (1)

Great!!!
You will never believe everything this woman has went through. After reading this you will have so much respect for Oprah. This is a wonderful book, that is interesting. After reading this I sat there and thought what a courageous woman she is. She went through alot as a child but this book tells the message that no matter what had happenes today there is still tomorrow and that yesterday was the past. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    3. Biography & Autobiography - Performing Arts    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Motion picture actors and actresses    9. Performing Arts - Television & Radio    10. Television personalities    11. United States   

Reviews (12)

Sad, but true!
Just finished this book after recently getting into Hank's music. Colin Escott nails it, a wonderful work that explores the tragedy that was Hank Williams. I remember growing up in the late 20th century northern America, whenever I heard the term "country music", I always pictured some tall, lanky "hillbilly" that spoke and sang with a twang - the stereotype, or so I thought. Hank Williams created the stereotype I had in my head, but Escott tells us so much more that he did.
Ole Hank: From rags to riches to rags to hillybilly heaven
Hank Williams (aka Luke the Drifter) lived 29 hard years from his hardscrabble youth in Alabama to his tragic death in the backseat of a car on Jan. 1, 1953. Along the way Hank managed to A good followup to Roger Williams' SING A SAD SONG
Except for Jesus Christ and Robert E. Lee, no other person has affected the conscious and unconscious mind of the average Southerner as has Hank Williams.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1923-1953    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Composers & Musicians - Country & Folk    7. Composers & Musicians - General    8. Country And Western Music    9. Country music    10. Country musicians    11. United States    12. Williams, Hank,    13. Biography: film, television & music    14. Country & western    15. Williams, Hank   

Reviews (5)

SO MUCH PACKED INTO ONE LITTLE BOOK - REMARKABLE!
There is so much to this book than noted at first glance.First, we get a great dose of history told in a way children can understand it.Secondly, we learn some little known facts about our first president.Thirdly, we have animals, something neither kids nor adults can ever get enough of and fourthly, we get a story packed full of morals.But that is not all.The illustrations are very well executed and a delight.The text is simple an to the point and goes quite well with the illustrations.The book makes some very complicated situations and states them simply in a very nice story.I enjoy this one almost as much as the children do.This is a good work to read to the class as it generates good discussions.Recommend this one highly.

6--Year-Old (and I) Loved It
My six-year-old son brought this title home from his school library. We read it together several times, and one night I found him meticulously copying a page from the book. My son hated to return the book, and I knew I had to buy it--for both of us! It tells a little-known story about Washington in a charming, beautifully illustrated manner that everyone (especially dog lovers) will love.

Excellent story for George Washington's Birthday!
I used this title with a class I teach to American children overseas.They really enjoyed it as a read-aloud and couldn't believe that it was true!I like that the back page had a copy of the original note sent as well as photos of drawings/paintings of Howe and Washington.The illustrations aren't spectacular, but the children loved it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. Animals - Dogs    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    6. Children: Grades 1-2    7. Dogs    8. Generals    9. History    10. History - United States/Colonial & Revolutionary    11. Juvenile Easy Readers    12. Juvenile Fiction    13. Juvenile literature    14. Presidents    15. Readers - Beginner    16. United States    17. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / General    18. Washington, George   

Reviews (47)

Solid
This is an excellent biography, covering Washington's entire life in a single volume. Its 'readablity' is fairly high for a history book. It is considerably less dry than your average text book, but a bit less readable than a historian with more mass appeal like Ellis. All good history books have a balance between 'fact' and interpretation, and in this one Flexner tends to keep the scales tipped a bit toward the factual side. This is great for gaining a solid understanding of what happened in Washington's life, but it does render a work a bit less readable than your typical airplane novel.
Top Washington biography
Washington and the other participants in the Revolutionary War have been my main interest in historical study.Unfortunately, many of the facts regarding members of this era are spun by emotion to show how great they were in creating the great nation of America.This is not necessary with the men and women who founded the nation, because the facts of their deeds alone are extraordinarily impressive without any spin.James Flexner gets that.He writes a very fair book that discusses the life of President Washington without spinning the facts to make him look better than he already is.Flexner's writing is almost like reading a novel.It flows easily and discusses all aspects of President Washington's life, beginning with his ancestry.He does not focus any era of his life disproportionately, and there are few weaknesses in this book.
The man of history comes alive
Too short. That's actually the impression I had when I finished reading Washington: The Indispensable Man. A distillation (but not an abridgement) of author James Thomas Flexner's longer four volume work on Washington, this book left me wanting more because four hundred pages is simply not enough to do justice to the man.
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Subjects:  1. 1732-1799    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Historical - U.S.    6. History: American    7. Presidents    8. Presidents & Heads of State    9. U.S. History - Revolution And Confederation (1775-1789)    10. United States    11. United States - Colonial Period    12. United States - General    13. Washington, George,    14. Biography & Autobiography / Presidents    15. USA    16. World history: c 1750 to c 1900    17. c 1700 to c 1800    18. c 1800 to c 1900