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
Results 1-5 of 16
Page x
... addresses and admonitions that embodied the voice of paternal authority to a widening circle of dutiful and adoring readers . The enterprising parson thus tapped a mother lode of popular patriotic sentiment . Weems's great achievement ...
... addresses and admonitions that embodied the voice of paternal authority to a widening circle of dutiful and adoring readers . The enterprising parson thus tapped a mother lode of popular patriotic sentiment . Weems's great achievement ...
Page xiv
... Address , only to be dissuaded from retirement by pleas of colleagues who feared that emerging partisan divisions would destroy the Union and with it the great American experiment in republican government . But this fac- tional ...
... Address , only to be dissuaded from retirement by pleas of colleagues who feared that emerging partisan divisions would destroy the Union and with it the great American experiment in republican government . But this fac- tional ...
Page xv
... address that would revivify patriotic devotion to union , and so redeem Washington's character and secure his peaceful and contented retirement . The address , drawing on drafts provided by Hamilton and James Madison , was a brilliant ...
... address that would revivify patriotic devotion to union , and so redeem Washington's character and secure his peaceful and contented retirement . The address , drawing on drafts provided by Hamilton and James Madison , was a brilliant ...
Page xvi
... Address ( March 1801 ) and echoing its conciliatory language , " all were federalists , all were republicans " ( chapter 12 ) . Weems's crucial move was to link the death of Washington , the popular hero of the Revolution , with the ...
... Address ( March 1801 ) and echoing its conciliatory language , " all were federalists , all were republicans " ( chapter 12 ) . Weems's crucial move was to link the death of Washington , the popular hero of the Revolution , with the ...
Page xvii
... Address , where , " like a 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 ...
... Address , where , " like a 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 ...
Other editions - View all
The Life of Washington: A New Edition with Primary Documents and ... Mason Locke Weems Limited preview - 1996 |
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 |