TY  - BOOK
N2  - This entertaining and erudite history offers a fresh look at America's first Founding Father, the creation of his legend, and what it means for our nation and ourselves. Washington's death in 1799 dealt a blow to public morale. For three decades, Americans had depended on his leadership. Now, they desperately needed to believe that Washington would continue to be there for them--thus began his immortalization. Historian Lengel shows how the late president and war hero continued to serve his nation on two levels: the public Washington evolved into a symbol as Father of His Country, while the private man remained always just out of reach. As Lengel shows, the contrasting urges to deify Washington and to understand him as a man have produced tensions in every generation. As some exalted him, others sought to bring him down to earth, creating a series of competing mythologies that depicted Washington as every sort of human being imaginable.--From publisher description.
AB  - This entertaining and erudite history offers a fresh look at America's first Founding Father, the creation of his legend, and what it means for our nation and ourselves. Washington's death in 1799 dealt a blow to public morale. For three decades, Americans had depended on his leadership. Now, they desperately needed to believe that Washington would continue to be there for them--thus began his immortalization. Historian Lengel shows how the late president and war hero continued to serve his nation on two levels: the public Washington evolved into a symbol as Father of His Country, while the private man remained always just out of reach. As Lengel shows, the contrasting urges to deify Washington and to understand him as a man have produced tensions in every generation. As some exalted him, others sought to bring him down to earth, creating a series of competing mythologies that depicted Washington as every sort of human being imaginable.--From publisher description.
T1  - Inventing George Washington :America's founder, in myth and memory /
DA  - c2011.
CY  - New York :
AU  - Lengel, Edward G.
ET  - 1st ed.
CN  - E312
CN  - E312
PB  - Harper,
PP  - New York :
PY  - c2011.
ID  - 436674
KW  - Presidents
KW  - Generals
SN  - 9780061662584 (alk. paper)
SN  - 0061662585 (alk.paper)
TI  - Inventing George Washington :America's founder, in myth and memory /
ER  -