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 xi
... passions and ambi- tions constituted the greatest obstacles to his own and his new country's ultimate success . For a generation fearful to the point of paranoia about abuses of power — and reflexively hostile to " standing armies ...
... passions and ambi- tions constituted the greatest obstacles to his own and his new country's ultimate success . For a generation fearful to the point of paranoia about abuses of power — and reflexively hostile to " standing armies ...
Page 2
... passions of pride , avarice , or ambition , will put him up to his metal , and call forth his best and bravest doings . But let all this heat and blaze of public situation and incitement be withdrawn ; let him be thrust back into the ...
... passions of pride , avarice , or ambition , will put him up to his metal , and call forth his best and bravest doings . But let all this heat and blaze of public situation and incitement be withdrawn ; let him be thrust back into the ...
Page 16
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Page 17
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Page 20
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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 |