The Life of Washington: A New Edition with Primary Documents and Introduction by Peter S. OnufWeems's Life of Washington was one of the first great bestsellers in American literature. Washington, you know is gone, wrote Mason Locke Weems to Philadelphia publisher Mathew Carey, and millions are gaping to read something about him. In responding to this market, Weems played an essential role in fabricating the image of Washington that has since dominated the American historical imagination and which, in its time, secured everlasting fame for the father of our country. This edition includes an introduction by Peter S. Onuf and documents from Washington's career that provide valuable insight into the construction of American national identity and that throw a provocative light on the mythmaking in which Weems engaged in writing one of the most enduring biographies in American folklore. |
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Page xii
... field . Americans could revere General Washington as they would a king , precisely because he did not grasp for kingly power , even as despairing patriots began to fear that a return to monarchy was inevitable . It was much more ...
... field . Americans could revere General Washington as they would a king , precisely because he did not grasp for kingly power , even as despairing patriots began to fear that a return to monarchy was inevitable . It was much more ...
Page xviii
... field , eloquent as Cicero , " seemingly destined " to fill the place where Washington had sat " ( chapter 13 ) . But , alas , both were fatally flawed . " For lack of religion , " Hamilton pursued " the phantom hon- our up to the ...
... field , eloquent as Cicero , " seemingly destined " to fill the place where Washington had sat " ( chapter 13 ) . But , alas , both were fatally flawed . " For lack of religion , " Hamilton pursued " the phantom hon- our up to the ...
Page 3
... fields , waving in yellow ridges before the wanton breeze — or his hills whitened over with flocks or his clover - covered pastures spread with innumerous herds or his neat - clad servants , with songs rolling the heavy harvest before ...
... fields , waving in yellow ridges before the wanton breeze — or his hills whitened over with flocks or his clover - covered pastures spread with innumerous herds or his neat - clad servants , with songs rolling the heavy harvest before ...
Page 7
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Page 25
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Common terms and phrases
American André apotheosis of Washington arms army Arnold battle beloved blessings blood Braddock brave Britain British British army brother called chapter character Colonel command congress countrymen danger dear death duty earth enemy equal eyes father favour Federalist fight fire Fort Duquesne Fort Necessity French friends gentlemen George Washington give glorious glory golden reign governor governor Dinwiddie hand happy heard hearing heart Heaven heroes Hessians honour hope human Indians instantly king labours land liberty look Lord Lord North ment mighty mind mother Mount Vernon nation never New-York noble Northern Neck numbers officers parties passions patriotism peace poor Pope's creek praise religion republican roaring sent ships smile soldier soon soul spirit Sullivan's Island sword Tarleton tears thing thousand thunder tion troops union victory Virginia virtue virtuous voice Washing Weems Weems's whigs wish young youth
References to this book
Myths in Stone: Religious Dimensions of Washington, D.C., Part 3 Jeffrey F. Meyer Limited preview - 2001 |
Presidential Places: A Guide to the Historic Sites of U.S. Presidents Gary W. Ferris No preview available - 1999 |