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. |
From inside the book
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Page xvii
... true teacher sent from God , " Wash- ington " dwells chiefly on our union and brotherly love . " Union , " the first birth of true religion , appears to him as the one thing needful , the spring of political life , the bond of ...
... true teacher sent from God , " Wash- ington " dwells chiefly on our union and brotherly love . " Union , " the first birth of true religion , appears to him as the one thing needful , the spring of political life , the bond of ...
Page xxii
... true custodians of Washington's character and reputation . Only by sustaining and strengthening the Union , by preserving and extending the stage on which the rising generation of young patriots would play their own roles , could ...
... true custodians of Washington's character and reputation . Only by sustaining and strengthening the Union , by preserving and extending the stage on which the rising generation of young patriots would play their own roles , could ...
Page 1
... neighbouring shores ? Yes , they have indeed spread his fame abroad ... his fame as Generalissimo of the armies , and first President of the councils of his nation . But this is not half his fame .... True , he is there seen 1.
... neighbouring shores ? Yes , they have indeed spread his fame abroad ... his fame as Generalissimo of the armies , and first President of the councils of his nation . But this is not half his fame .... True , he is there seen 1.
Page 2
... True , he is there seen in greatness , but it is only the greatness of public character , which is no evidence of true greatness ; for a public character is often an artificial one . At the head of an army or nation , where gold and ...
... True , he is there seen in greatness , but it is only the greatness of public character , which is no evidence of true greatness ; for a public character is often an artificial one . At the head of an army or nation , where gold and ...
Page 3
... true greatness , that compared therewith , the history of his capturing Cornwallis and Tarleton , with their buccaneering legions , sounds almost as small as the story of old General Putnam's catching his wolf and her lamb - killing ...
... true greatness , that compared therewith , the history of his capturing Cornwallis and Tarleton , with their buccaneering legions , sounds almost as small as the story of old General Putnam's catching his wolf and her lamb - killing ...
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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 |