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In His Excellency: George Washington Joseph J. Ellis tries to take a man which has become a myth in his own time and deconstruct him to see what makes him tick
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John George Nicolay (26, February, 1832 – 26 September, 1901) served as the private secretary to Abraham Lincoln, and co-authored his biography.
In his book A History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus (1828) Washington Irving gave birth to the myth that people during Columbus’ time thought the Earth was flat and Columbus set out to prove them wrong. (Inventing the Flat Earth by Jeffrey Russell) In the 1490s people argues about the size of the Earth, not its shape, in fact in 1492, when Columbus set sail, the first globes were produces.
Finally, after years of marriage I made good on my promise to take my beloved wife to the Cherry Blossom festival in Washington D.C. Unbeknownst to her and the kids, I slyly embedded a few history lessons in there as well. How can you not when in such an environment? We all had our own agenda, my wife wanted to see the Cherry blossoms (check), my daughter wanted to go the natural history museum (delayed), son wanted to see Lincoln (check) and Daddy wanted to see the James Bond exhibit in the spy museum (delayed, probably canceled). Enjoying a $5 corn dog (that’s FIVE DOLLARS EACH!!!) My wife grew up in the mid-west so she wasn’t much into history. I grew up on the east coast where American history comes alive. You learn about the Boston Tea Party and go to Boston Harbor, you learn about the Constitution and get to visit Philadelphia’s Constitution Hall, learn about government and get to see Congress in (in)action. JeneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyY!!!! Once I started dragging the family along on historical field trips they started to realize that the figures in books were actual historical figures instead of the equivalent of Grimm Brothers fair-tales. George Washington…
It was announced this week that Ron Chernow’s most excellent biography of George Washington, aptly named “Washington: A Life” (book review) won the Pulitzer Prize. I think the prize is well deserved, Mr. Chernow has the ability to bring historical figures to life and his books read like novels. Here are a few interesting facts I learned from “Washington: A Life” and from our family trip to Washington’s estate in Mt. Vernon, Virginia. 1) In the French and Indian War, while fighting in the British Army, Washington got hit with four bullets in his coat and hat and had two horses shot from underneath him. Washington remained unscathed which started his bullet proof reputation. 2) George Washington always regretted not having a college education. 3) Washington’s home, Mt. Vernon may look like it’s build out of stone, but it’s actually wood with sand thrown on the white paint. 4) George Washington loved animals. Over his life he had over 30 dogs and when the Revolutionary War was over, he retired his horse Nelson and forbade anyone from using him for farm work. 5) Martha Washington spent half of the Revolutionary War with her husband and used her time to fixed…
This is the kind of history book I love. Mr. Chernow tells of little known anecdotes which not only tell of of the character, but even relevant to this day
The author follows Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, John Adams, and of course, George Washington.
A historical fiction book taking place in 1793, following the life of Hercules, a slave in Mt. Vernon, as well as President George Washington’s chef.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z – A – Abrams, Dan Lincoln’s Last Trial: The Murder Case that Propelled Him to the Presidency (with David Fisher) – A mini-biography of the 16th President’s last big trial before running for high office Abnett, Dan Titans Vol. 3: A Judas Among Us (illustrated by Brett Booth) – A graphic novel seeing the team trying to infiltrate H.I.V.E. Abu-Jabar, Diana Fencing with the King by Diana Abu-Jaber – An American woman visiting, and discovering things about, her prominent Jordanian family in preparations for the King’s birthday celebration Abu-Rish, Wagih Replenishing the Sea of Galilee: A Family Saga across Ethnicity, Place, and Religion – A novel taking place in Palestine and the United States over several generation Adams, Mark Turn Right at Machu Picchu – A nonfiction travelogue/history/investigate report in which the author follows the footsteps of Hiram Bingham III. Adjapon, Bisi The Teller of Secrets – A coming of age novel about a Nigerian-Ghanian girl in the late 1960s, discovering feminism Afshar, Tessa Pearl in the Sand– Biblical fiction story of Rahab, one…
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 10 Books That Screwed Up the World: And 5 Others That Didn’t Help by Benjamin Wiker – A non-fiction meditation by the author about books which he believes are influential and popular but are actually full of bad ideas. 100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do (2019 Edition) by Joe Yogerst – A travel book published by National Geographic about the American National Parks. 100 Drives, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to Do, What to See (2020 Edition) by Joe Yogerst – A National Geographic book detailing 100 journeys through all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. The 100-Year-Old Who Climbed Out Through the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson – A fictional book which follows the adventures and mis-adventures of its centenarian protagonist in a hilarious romp through the 20th century. 108 Rock Star Guitars by Lisa S. Johnson – A book featuring photographs of guitars (and guitars only) of famous guitarists. The book took 17 years for Ms. Johnson…
