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 53
Page xi
... things of him . Weems tells us that character , or reputation , is everything : " the private virtues ... lay the foundation of all human excellence , " and these must be displayed " in all their lustre , before the admiring eyes of our ...
... things of him . Weems tells us that character , or reputation , is everything : " the private virtues ... lay the foundation of all human excellence , " and these must be displayed " in all their lustre , before the admiring eyes of our ...
Page xvi
... thing was done in congress , " Weems writes , " but to talk of and to praise the departed Washington . In this patriotic work all parties joined with equal alacrity and earnestness . In this , " Weems concludes , in a passage written ...
... thing was done in congress , " Weems writes , " but to talk of and to praise the departed Washington . In this patriotic work all parties joined with equal alacrity and earnestness . In this , " Weems concludes , in a passage written ...
Page xvii
... thing needful , the spring of political life , the bond of perfection " ( chapter 16 ) . In 1809 , union meant ... things hold dear your NATIONAL UNION . . . . ' " With the apotheosis of the first president ( who , as in the invented ...
... thing needful , the spring of political life , the bond of perfection " ( chapter 16 ) . In 1809 , union meant ... things hold dear your NATIONAL UNION . . . . ' " With the apotheosis of the first president ( who , as in the invented ...
Page 3
... thing . For they in fact were the food of the great actions of him , whom men call Washington . It was they that ... thing ; his public , hardly any thing . For how glorious soever it may have been in Washington to have undertaken the ...
... thing . For they in fact were the food of the great actions of him , whom men call Washington . It was they that ... thing ; his public , hardly any thing . For how glorious soever it may have been in Washington to have undertaken the ...
Page 5
... things to great , is the rule she delights to work by . Where , for example , do we look for the whale " the biggest ... thing of the kind in the other continents , that we may fairly conclude that great men and great deeds are designed ...
... things to great , is the rule she delights to work by . Where , for example , do we look for the whale " the biggest ... thing of the kind in the other continents , that we may fairly conclude that great men and great deeds are designed ...
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 |