Inventing George Washington : America's founder, in myth and memory / Edward G. Lengel.
2011
E312 .L46 2011 (Mapit)
Available at General Collection
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Details
Title
Inventing George Washington : America's founder, in myth and memory / Edward G. Lengel.
Author
Lengel, Edward G.
Edition
1st ed.
ISBN
9780061662584 (alk. paper)
0061662585 (alk.paper)
0061662585 (alk.paper)
Publication Details
New York : Harper, c2011.
Language
English
Description
xviii, 249 p. ; 22 cm.
Call Number
E312 .L46 2011
Dewey Decimal Classification
973.4/1092 B
Summary
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.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
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Table of Contents
Washington lives, dies, and is reborn
Washington turns a profit
Washington's loves
Washington's visions
Washington slept here
Washington debunked
The indispensable man
The living myth.
Washington turns a profit
Washington's loves
Washington's visions
Washington slept here
Washington debunked
The indispensable man
The living myth.