BOOKS: Grander Than Myth (Review of "Washington's Crossing"

Wall St. Journal ^ | Feb. 6, 2004 | STEVEN LAGERFELD (of review)

[Pharmboy]

Historians are often in the business of telling us how badly our myths fall short of reality, so it's a rare treat when a writer comes along to tell us that reality is far grander than we had imagined. That's what Brandeis historian David Hackett Fischer has done in "Washington's Crossing" (Oxford, 564 pages, $35), a meticulous and brilliantly colored account of the period surrounding George Washington's famous sally across the Delaware River in 1776. The tale is told in the style of a master thriller writer who keeps us reading even though we know -- or think we know -- how it all turns out.

[Pharmboy]

Every time I learn more about The General, I respect him even more.

[Rose in RoseBear]

Pingpingping!

[niteowl77]

When I was in school, I was taught about "wooden dentured George Washington." Twenty-odd years later, my son was taught about "slave owner George Washington." We both got screwed by the public schools when it came to learning about the man who set the standards.

There is still a remedy for such things though, and this book sounds like it might be a good start for many people.

[sneakers]

Bump

[syriacus]

Thanks very much.

After reading your post, I "figured out" what to give my husband for his birthday.

He admires President Washington and should enjoy this book.

[trek]

And now we don't even celebrate Washington's birthday. We have a bland and generic "President's Day." And even this is more about a 3 day weekend than about reminding us about the origins of our culture. The original reasons the Congress created national holidays like Washington's birthday have been completely forgotten. We must fight to regain our culture or we will lose our national identity.

[John H K]

Yep, he's sort of taken for granted, not even regarded as a "real" person.

Cracks me up whenever you see those "greatest President" polls...it's stupid to even ask.

Washington DEFINED what a President is. Washington's example is the reason we aren't some crappy banana republic with military coups and "Presidents for Life" as came out of EVERY other revolution.

As a General, The Dupuys (Encyclopedia of Military History) think he's one of the greatest of the 18th century. Seriously underrated. His one weakness was his poor choice of subordinates in many cases and inability to get rid of them quickly...something the early Napoleon was good at. Several victories were lost to Washington because of idiot subordinate officers.

[Pharmboy]

You're most welcome. Here's another if he hasn't read it:


Washington: The Indispensable Man
by James Thomas Flexner (Author)


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[StACase]

[kitkat]

BUMP

[Dahlseide]

Thanks for the reference. And now we have President's Day - how awfull. Remember the 22cd

[EdReform]

BTTT for later...

[Tax-chick]

564 pages about "the circumstances surrounding the crossing of the Delaware"? It gives new meaning to "meticulous detail!"

(Library list)

I recommend "The Presidency of George Washington," by Jack D. Warren, Jr. Concise and focused.

[Pharmboy]

There are a small number of folks who cannot get enough material on the General. Freeman's seven volume bio is a starting point for them. Between the University of Virginia and various Federal Archives, we now have tons of on-line electrons holding his papers.

Your Obdt. Svt.

P____boy

[Tax-chick]

Thanks! I may someday have a use for original sources on Washington; I never know what interest the students will take up next. I'm not personally up for a seven-volume bio right now, much as I admire President Washington :-).

Was it William Safire who wrote the fairly recent (last 10 years?) biography. I recall that was very good.

[Pharmboy]

My favorite portrait of the General, by Charles Wilson Peale, painted just after Princeton. It shows a certain cockiness not apparrent in others.

It had been a tough summer (Battle of Brooklyn), fall (White Plains, Fort Washington)and winter (Fort Lee and retreat through New Jersey), but here he was enjoying his victories at Trenton and Princeton at the start of the new year (1777).

[shhrubbery!]

Wow, what a great painting. Thanks for posting.

Copies of that should be hanging in every American school. But that won't happen -- it's too politically incorrect (it's "militaristic," for goodness sakes). And of course Washington was a slave owner, obviating the value of any personal qualities that made him the 'indispensable man' of the founding of our free nation. /sarcasm

[Tax-chick]

Good picture! The self-confidence really shows, and it's also a reminder that Washington wasn't usually a scowling grump, as he appears on the dollar :-), even if his teeth hurt. I remember from a visit to Mount Vernon a few years ago is that he was a gregarious host (even had a multi-seat outhouse), appreciated good food and wine, loved to dance ... a sterling character, without being dull.

[syriacus]

Thanks, Pharmboy.

Flexner's wonderful book is in his "Washington" library.

Family and friends know of his fondness for General Washington and are on the lookout for pictures, silhouettes, books, and memorabilia concerning him.

I'm always happy to see something new, like "Washington's Crossing."

We celebrate Washington's birthday with madeira and an oral reading of "Rules of Civility."

This year I will attempt to make "hoe cakes."

[VOA]

Washington: The Indispensable Man
by James Thomas Flexner (Author)

Another vote here for Flexner's book.
My brother convinced me to read it, even though I thought it might not be too exciting.
I was wrong; it's a great history of a great man.