Product Description
This collection is comprised of virtually every public speech America's first president George Washington ever made.

Excerpt from "Proclamation of Neutrality":

"And I do hereby also make known, that whosoever of the citizens of the United States shall render himself liable to punishment or forfeiture under the law of nations, by committing, aiding or abetting hostilities against any of the said powers, or by carrying to any of them, those articles which are deemed contraband by the modern usage of nations, will not receive the protection of the United States against such punishment or forfeiture; and further that I have given instructions to those officers to whom it belongs, to cause prosecutions to be instituted against all persons, who shall, within the cognizance of the Courts of the United States, violate the law of nations, with respect to the powers at war, or any of them".

Selections include:

First Inaugural Address, Thanksgiving Proclamation, First Annual Message to Congress,Talk to the Chiefs and Counselors of the Seneca Nation,Proclamation Against Crimes Against the Cherokee Nation, Farewell Address and many more...21 total pieces of literature.
... Read more

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Product Description
This book brings together, for the first time, the details of George Washington's 45-year endeavor to build and perfect Mount Vernon. 80+ photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Interesting aspect of otherwise well documented life
I have to give the author's credit for looking at President George Washington life in a different way than the thousands of books written before. This book does a great job in describing how Washington's home is a complete reflextion of his own life. I guess you can say the same for Thomas Jefferson and his Monticello home but since Washington was unlike Jefferson in so many ways, his home reveals much more personality than has been revealed in historical evidence. Great pictures and beautiful photography this book does a fine job of incorporating Mount Vernon and also some interesting American history. If you are a history buff you will appreciate the different approach to getting to know a historical figure.

Kindle edition overpriced...but worth it to me.
Shirt-tail relatives on my mother's side were neighbors of the great man (and are mentioned in this book).

I'm aware that this is probably a college textbook, but, in my view, there is no reason to overprice the ebook edition.However, the price has dropped considerably, so I bought it for genealogy research.

Bucky

George Washington's Mount Vernon:At Home in Revolutionary America
Excellent book in explaining who were his neighbors, how his property was taken care of, etc.Since my Husbands ancestors were some of his neighbors it is a really interesting read. I love history anyway. I really like finding out how our early leaders were really just like us.It makes history come alive

A Successful Mix
Knowing Professor Dalzell and Mrs. Dalzell personally, I was incredibly curious to see how they blended the two seemingly connected but perhaps contrasting topics of George Washington and his home. Essentially, theywere connected very successfully. The entire history of the home itself istold vividly with photographs, anecdotes, and objective descriptions of itsdevelopment. Following, Washington's own personal, military, and politicalhistory is told in light of the times, and in the book's shining ability,in relation to the home itself. The Dalzell's cleverly-melded arguments anddiscussions leads the reader to a full knowledge of Mt. Vernon and itsinspiring owner.

A story at the heart of the republic
I openned this book expecting to read a story about a house and how it was built.I was surprised, and impressed, to discover that what went on as Mt. Vernon took form was far more interesting than I had expected.This isnot so much a book about a house as it is the story of how GeorgeWashington related to the slaves on whom he relied to execute hisarchitecture.In other words, the story here reverberates far beyond theboundaries of the plantation.It went to the heart of the republic, and itgoes to the heart of this nation.Slavery is encoded in our national DNA(sorry, Jefferson).The Dalzells make it clear that it is also mortared inthe wood and plaster (cut and painted to look like stone) of our nationaledifice.Are you tormented, or at least intrigued, that a slaveowner couldstyle himself father of a republic dedicated to freedom? Maybe Washingtonwas, too.Find out.Visit Mt. Vernon, and do it by reading this book. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishings Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the worlds literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

What a tightassed little priss he must've been
Yes, I have shamelessly stolen Jed Bartlet's summation of George Washington's character, because I feel the same way.

Etiquette and good behavior is important, but to copy them down from another book, at 14? That is rather tightassed, I must say!

But I enjoyed it for the laughs, nevertheless.

The title quote is taken from The West Wing, Season 1, 'Six meetings before lunch' - buy it now! The West Wing: The Complete Series Collection

(for some reason the review comes up as referring to the hardcover edition; I purchased it for the Kindle. *shrug*)

Great Gift for Anyone Who Could Use a Little Polishing
Note: Amazon has grouped together reviews of several different editions of this book; this review is for George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation (Little Books of Wisdom).

Debunkers are correct to point out that this book is not the original work of a 14-year-old child prodigy, as is sometimes claimed, but rather, as this edition reveals, something he copied down from an English translation of the original French, presumably as part of his school work.However, these debunkers go too far when they conclude from this that the work is meaningless because George Washington has too often been described as a self-made man who from an early age carefully, through hard practice acquired the manners and self-control for which all who ever knew him praised him.

He rather obviously took these rules to heart, which may well explain their survival in his handwriting.

The language is archaic, a few rules are obsolete, and several more about respecting one's betters have much less application in our more egalitarian world, but in general most of these still apply.Of course if you had even a half way decent child rearing, you were taught most of these already, but it never hurts to be reminded of what still constitutes good manners.Admirers of Washington might also be interested in the uniform edition of something a lot less questionably the product of his genius: George Washington's Farewell Address.

Note: Some reviewers have complained that this book is available online for free.Well, yes, what part of in the public domain do you not understand?However, trying to get away with giving someone a printout as a gift will earn you the nickname of cheapskate.If all you want to do is read it yourself, then by all means stick to the free sites.However, if you are looking for a way to get through to someone else, you are better off buying a copy, and a solitary sawbuck for this sturdy pocket-sized reprint is going to be tough to beat.The chief virtue of it being online is your ability to read it first and make sure that this is the book you want to give before ordering it.

Note: Applewood Books has produced a nice looking inexpensive series of sturdy pocket-sized reprints of important American books, documents, speeches, pamphlets, and poems, the Little Books of Wisdom, uniform with this volume, that are ideal for gifting to doctors, lawyers, teachers, business professionals, and students of same: The Way to Wealth, The Constitution of the United States of America, On the Art of Teaching, The Poems of Abraham Lincoln, The Strenuous Life, The Bill of Rights with Writings That Formed Its Foundation, The Path of the Law, The Constitution of the Confederate States of America, The Jefferson Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, A Message to Garcia, A Declaration of Sentiments, Robert's Rules of Order, Good Citizenship, On Being Human, A Discourse Upon the Duties of a Physician, The Declaration of Independence with Short Biographies of Its Signers, Teamwork, Stick-To-Itiveness, Opportunity, & You, The Wants of Man, George Washington's Farewell Address, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Speech of Chief Seattle, Common Sense, The Articles of Confederation, The Emancipation Proclamation, and The Gospel of Wealth.

Some selected volumes are also available in boxed sets: Books of American Wisdom Boxed Set, CEO's Gift Box of Wisdom, Doctor's Gift Box of Wisdom, Lawyer's Gift Box of Wisdom, New Citizen's Gift Box of Wisdom, and Teacher's Gift Box of Wisdom.

And some have been published in Spanish: Un Mensaje a Garcia and Constitucion de Los Estados Unidos.

Should be read by all!
If we look at our current social state in this country, then anyone can see that we need to go back to the basics.

Not saying that I don't have any "home training" but this book has been a reminder of some bad habits that I need to work on. For instance, Rule #50 "Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any." How many times have you heard others in the office speaking bad about another current or former coworker, tarnishing their reputation ... and you believed it at face value? The moral of the story is to not believe everything you hear.

Also, I plan to have my kids read this book to me at night and discuss some of the social implications of what Washington made the rules for. For example, Rule #73 " Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly & distinctly.". All of this is self-explanatory but the book is a great starting point for self-assessment and for a conversation starter with your kids.

Now not all of it is relevant to our current era of "equals" such as walking a little behind your superiors. This may be good for the rigidity of the military but may come off as too much for ordinary civilians.

Overall, its a worthwhile investment in your own emotional intelligence.

George gets five stars, the editor ruins the book though.
The editor has an obvious political agenda, and it ruins the book. However, Washington's reprisal of his father's rules, inspired by etiquette among proper families, are timeless. You can download pages of Washington's etiquette from the web. You don't need to spend $10 for the editor's contribution.

An Enjoyable Dose of History
Washington's rules are an entertaining--and accidentally humorous--look at life in 18th-century America. Although many of the rules are outdated, they provide an interesting glimpse of the customs and social niceties of Washington's time. Other rules still apply today, and the book is a well-written reminder of them. However, the best part of the book is its old-fashioned wording and serious tone that makes some of the rules downright hysterical. We loved reading rules like "Run not in the streets; neither go too slowly nor with mouth open; go not shaking your arms; kick not the earth with your feet; go not upon the toes nor in a dancing fashion." The rules are fun to read and a charming way to learn a little about history. ... Read more

Product Description
The classic biography of Washington by Chief Justice Marshall.According to Wikipedia: "John Marshall (September 24, 1755 ? July 6, 1835) was an American statesman and jurist who shaped American constitutional law and made the Supreme Court a center of power. Marshall was Chief Justice of the United States, serving from February 4, 1801 until his death in 1835. He served in the United States House of Representatives from March 4, 1799 to June 7, 1800, and, under President John Adams, was Secretary of State from June 6, 1800 to March 4, 1801. Marshall was a native of the Commonwealth of Virginia and a leader of the Federalist Party." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

the best history of how the USA came to being you will ever read
All the way through this volume I kept wondering why it had never came up in 16 years of schooling, including a degree in Pol. Sci.Absolutely the best history of early America you will find. Written by a man who was there through those tumultuous times and who established precedences for a rigorous, vital, Supreme Court.Read this and understand more fully a tradition that has been discarded these days in favor of political hackery, a loss to everyone living in this nation trying to respect our laws. ... Read more

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American Presidents from MobileReference describes early life, political career, significant events, legislation, programs, appointments, personal life, and post-presidential career of all American Presidents. FREE chapters from George Washington to Andrew Jackson in the trial version.

Customer Reviews (1)

American Presidents
American Presidents - FREE chapters from George Washington to Andrew Jackson in the trial version

This is an excellent ebook. It is great for people beginning to learn about American politics. It's a great source for quick handy reminders. I have went back to this ebook more often, during the election season, to brief my memory. ... Read more

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By far the most important figure in the history of the United States, George Washington liberated the thirteen colonies from the superior forces of the British Empire against all military odds, and presided over the production and ratification of a constitution that (suitably amended) has lasted for more than two hundred years. Yet today Washington remains a distant figure to many Americans—a failing that acclaimed author Paul Johnson sets out to rectify with this brilliantly vivid, sharply etched portrait of the great hero as a young warrior, masterly commander in chief, patient lawmaker, and exceptionally wise president.

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Customer Reviews (18)

Succinct And Factual
I expected a thicker volume than the 123 small pages in this comprehensive biography. There is no index, but I suppose one could argue that such a small book doesn't need one.

The writing has the flavor of an unbiased account of George Washington's life and dispels a number of falsehoods propagated by bebunkers. The author could have added some critical remarks about Washington's military blunders in the battle of Long Island while balancing those remarks with a description of his remarkable tenacity in maintaining favor and position with the Second Continental Congress. I would have appreciated more detail about how he kept his loose cannon Alexander Hamilton pointed in wise directions, but the element I missed most was a description of how Washington achieved the highest pinnacle of power in the rough new country without acquiring a hunger for more than what the later Constitution intended. The author points out some significant words from King George III: when told that Washington intended to go back to farming after the end of the war, George III said that if Washington does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.

I would also have appreciated some explanation of how Washington recognized the unmatched heroics of energy that John Knox had at his disposal for getting Fort Ticonderoga's guns moved to a Boston overlook and how he recognized and utilized Nathaniel Green's pivotal capabilities.

A great biography of a great man
For whatever reason, George Washington had never come "alive" for me.Sure: the leader of our troops during the Revolutionary War, our first President, "Father of our Country," and the man on the one-dollar bill.

But who exactly was he, and why was he so admired?This had eluded me, until I read Paul Johnson's superb short biography.

The short answer is that George Washington was a great man --- great in leadership and also pretty big physically. (De Tocqueville remarked that he had never seen a man with a larger pair of hands.)It is fairly accurate to say that, wherever he went, he dominated, mostly through his moral and ethical qualities.He did not desire political power, but he desired with all his soul and all his being a happy future for America and the American people.He was a genius, and he worked harder than most of us can imagine.

Here's one point that really impressed me: Washington's conduct of the Revolutionary War.Gore Vidal, in one of his "historical" novels, absolutely flays Washington alive as a nincompoop and a loser, a "general" who couldn't win a single battle.It is surprising (and educational) to learn from Paul Johnson that Washington was, on the contrary, a brilliant strategist.His strategy was simply to outlast the British by fighting a war of attrition.(Note well: this is something like the strategy employed by Ho Chi Minh against US!)He calculated, accurately, that within 4-5 years the British would tire of the "quagmire" and sue for "negotiations."Which happened, and the USA won the war in the negotiations.(Gore Vidal, of course, omits to mention the tiny detail of George Washington actually winning the war.)

Washington was an impressive man, on many different levels, and this book is a masterpiece at revealing the multiple facets of one of the greatest men America ever produced.

I must also say that I really appreciate a SHORT biography.I would never read seven volumes of anyone's life, and I am thoroughly fed up with the biographers who feel they must devote a thousand pages to the life of (say) LBJ. "Brevity is the soul of wit," gentlemen!

A very high recommendation!I will add, uselessly, that all Americans should read this book.

Very Good, But Too Brief To Be the First Choice
I enjoyed this biography of our first President. You read about General Washington's love for the land and his desire to care for it, but his skill as a strategist brought him into the French and Indian War, where he successfully defended against the French. After the war, Washington was disappointed in England's attempts to levy heavy taxes on the colonies without allowing them appropriate representation in Parliament. The Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, and the Intolerable Acts led to war, and Washington felt patriotic pride in defending his country. He lost some tough battles (Long Island, New York), and endured some tough winters (New Jersey, Valley Forge), but his average tactical skills were overshadow by his great ability to strategize the big picture. it was his idea to move the troops south and block Lord Cornwallis on the peninsula, leading to his surrender and to American freedom. It was remarkable to see how well Washington could do with limited troops and funds and resources.

Washington would retire to his farm in Mt Vernon, even though there were frequent calls for him to be the leader of the country. Washington reluctantly agreed to be the nation's first leader if they could draft a constitution that would be agreeable to the states, which they did in 1789, and Washington became the first President of the United States. He supported the building of turnpikes, canals, and railroads, and the education of the young, and the forgiving of states' debts. He took a lot of heat from those who supported a more centralized government and from those who demanded more states' rights (Jefferson). He took a lot of heat, and on more than one occasion, Washington expressed his distaste for the Presidency.

His two biggest failures were not supporting a check and balance for the Judiciary and not manumitting the slaves. Once cotton became King of the South, it became almost impossible to convince the South to go along with it. But Washington did free his own slaves upon his death.

This is a good sketch of the first President's life, but you'll want to read a more substantial biography after whetting your appetite with this slender volume.

George Washington Biography
Very concise overview of George Washington's life.Perfect for someone who wants to know more about this great man than what was taught in public school.Washington wasn't the simpleton our school system leads us to believe he was.

An excellent biography of America's first president
In this 2005 work, British author and historian Paul Bede Johnson turns his attention to that preeminent among America's founding fathers, George Washington. This biography is, in spite of its brevity, an excellent work on the general. It gives an excellent look into his history, and an excellent analysis of what he did and why.

This book was written as part of the Eminent Lives series, which explains its shortness. And, in fact, its shortness its part of its excellence. There are times when you wish to read 400+ pages on someone, and enjoy the depth of understanding such a book gives you. But, there are times when you want a biography that is short and to the point, and this book is for those times. I really enjoyed this book, and think that it is an excellent biography of America's first president. I give it my highest recommendations! ... Read more

Product Description
Two great patriots. Two giants of the battlefield. Yet one became our greatest hero, and one became our most notorious traitor. In this enthralling new dual biography-one of the very few to deal with Benedict Arnold-military historian and former superintendent of West Point Dave R. Palmer shows how and why George Washington became the father of our country while Benedict Arnold became a man without a country.  It was a surprising turn of events. No man was more ardent for the patriot cause and more recklessly brave on the battlefield than Benedict Arnold. After the first three years of the Revolutionary War, every patriot recognized as our two greatest warriors George Washington, commander of the Continental Army, and twice battle-wounded Benedict Arnold, captor of Fort Ticonderoga, invader of Canada, and victor at the battle of Saratoga. Washington and Arnold admired each other. Washington saw Arnold as a true fighting soldier whose merits were unjustly neglected by his superiors and the Continental Congress. Arnold respected Washington as a worthy commander in chief. They even shared enemies-both men were subject to jealous conspiracies against them from plotting generals and petty politicians (including, in Washington-s case, John Adams). But while Washington rose above his enemies, Arnold became embittered by them. With a character less stoic than Washington-s, in pain from his battlefield wounds, and with slow twists of mind, heart, character, and decision, Arnold, in charge of Fortress West Point, finally committed himself to betraying the cause that he had previously served so well. In dramatic fashion, George Washington and Benedict Arnold: A Tale of Two Patriots unveils a chapter of American history that rivals any novel or film for action, intrigue, and romance. It is a story that few Americans know, but that every American should. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Reads like a well-written novel
Dual biographies have been around since Plutarch contrasted the Greeks and Romans. I have read some modern dual biographies before, and always thought they were a stretch -- comparing the lives of Hitler and Napoleon for instance was comparing oranges and apples. But this book restores the practice to respectability. I have read some works on the American Revolution -- Fischer, Flexner and Ketcham are all great writers and great investigators of this period of American history. But for pure narrative enjoyment, Palmer's work is unsurpassed. I was astounded at the early parallels of their lives, both struggling with early insolvency, both sterling examples of entrepreneurship and both marrying well. The author treats both sympathetically and succeeds in explaining the motivations behind their actions. The style is such that the book reads like a novel, and I had trouble putting it down at the end of a long day. Readers will greatly enjoy this book, and learn in the process the sweeping outlines of American Revolutionary history.

should be requiredreading
This book gives a good background of how the United States was created.
Should be requied reading.

A MUST READ!
Anyone interested in our Nation's birth MUST read this book.Beautifully written by a trustworthy and credentialed authority, "A Tale of Two Patriots" reveals two dominant figures in the Revolutionary War. Washington's story has been retold countless times before and General Palmer does a wonderful job in detailing his faults and failures as well as his ability to learn from them.However,Arnold is given his due credit as initially a true patriot who volunteered his time and treasure to the cause, suffering indignity and injury both in battle and at the hands of the Continental Congress.It is truly a tragic tale about who arguably was the best tactician in the Continental Army.I doubt many people with only a cursory knowledge of the War of Independence really know the true story of Benedict Arnold; General Palmer tells it exceptionally.

one of the best on the Rev War
General Palmer's writing style is very fluid.He tells the story of the Rev War through two of its main characters.One of my favorite books, and a great help in my research and writing on this subject.I highly recommend this book. - Gregory Edgar

Very good synopsis
If you are looking for a detailed book about both, this is not it.However, given the depth of the material the author chooses to portray I think he does a credible job at getting inside the minds of both during these tumultuous times.

I think it is more important for those contemplating reading this book to tell what this book is not rather than what it is.It is not a thorough tale of the battles, the hardships, the backgrounds of either man.There are no maps of the battles which are oversimplified as are some of the most intricate relationships, particularly between those of the "cabal" against Washington or Arnold's incredible acrimony with his foes in Philadelphia or Gates.

However, what it is, is a superficial overview of some complex interactions and battles to enable the reader to understand the "feelings" and rational behind the actions and beliefs of these two men.

Both men scorned in different ways, with very different outcomes and legacies. ... Read more

Product Description
In 1799, at the end of George Washington-s long life and illustrious career, the politician Henry Lee eulogized him as: -First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.- Esteemed historian Richard Brookhiser now adds to this list, -First in leadership,- examining the lessons to be learned from our first president, first commander-in-chief, and founding CEO. With wit and skill, Brookhiser expertly anatomizes true leadership with lessons from Washington-s three spectacularly successful careers as an executive: general, president, and tycoon. In every area of endeavor, Washington maximized his strengths and overcame his flaws. Brookhiser shows how one man-s struggles and successes two centuries ago can serve as a model-and an inspiration-for leaders today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Richard Brookhiser: Making a Buck
Not to take away anything from Brookhiser's obvious success as a journalist and historian, "George Washington: On Leadership" strikes me more aptly as "Brookhiser On: How To Keep My Bank Account Full".

Brookhiser does little in the way of setting forth what he deems to be leadership qualities, let alone discussing them in any detail. Given easy access to the internet, historical facts and anecdotes about the lives of many people, I suspect that Brookhiser (or numerous others) could have just as easily written "Muhammad Ali: On Leadership" or "Bernie Madoff: On Leadership," not to equate the Father of Our Country with either. Neither does Brookhiser's meandering style of presentation help this case, as a lack of chronological consistency detracts, rather than helps, in setting the context for a view toward the evolutionary development of Washington's leadership skills, whatever they may have been, and whether in the context of his time or ours.

No, Brookhiser's effort strikes me as a weak attempt to retroactively apply some vague idea of "leadership qualities" to an individual who led over 200 years ago, with little regard for or reference to the importance of context and time.That he chose, for example, to dwell at such length (and depth!), literally ad nauseum for me, on the building of latrines by Washington's troops makes me wonder whether he merely identified a list of what he perceives to be leadership traits, and then spent his time researching Washington's life in order to come up with anecdotal examples, some admittedly colorful, that he could use to illustrate the aspects of leadership that he'd already decided on.

Maybe next time, Brookhiser can write ""Sarah Palin: On Leadership," so we can learn how he equates Palin's propensity for quitting her jobs before she finishes them with whatever leadership traits he associates with her particular style of....uhhhhh.......leadership. Now THAT would be enlightening....perhaps. Then again, if he does, I'll look for it in the humor section of my local bookstore.

O.K.
Not one of Brookhiser's better books. Just O.K.
His book on the founding fathers was better written

Good analysis of Washington's leadership skills.
Contemporary American historian Richard Brookhiser established himself as an authority on George Washington a decade ago with his biography, Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington. I contend it is one of the best accounts written on the father of our country. In GEORGE WASHINGTON ON LEADERSHIP, Brookhiser combines his admiration and in-depth knowledge of Washington with a common sense interpretation of his leadership skills and shortcomings.

I think it is safe to say Brookhiser is not attempting to transition into a business guru. Clearly his passion and expertise is in 18th century American history and should remain there. Here, he simply makes observations of one of the great leaders of our history and provides analysis and overview of the lessons leaders should take away from his life.

Since first reading Brookhiser's work a decade ago, he has been one of my favorite contemporary historians and has only let me down once. His book, What Would the Founder's Do, contained far too much editorializing and commentary with very little factual evidence to support it and much to dispute it. That left me somewhat skeptical of future Brookhiser writings, but I must say this book has restored his position with me as an exceptional writer. His writing flows very well and holds the reader throughout.

This volume is a great historical recap on the life of Washington that history buffs will enjoy. If you are looking to the book strictly as a way of learning leadership qualities, it falls a little short here as each lesson Brookhiser conveys is a multiple page recounting of events, typically followed by a single paragraph of summation.

Those who know his work know Brookhiser is a huge fan of Washington; however he disallows his admiration from causing omission of some of Washington's shortcomings. Great as he was, Washington wasn't perfect and there is as much to be learned from his failures as from his successes.

Noteworthy use of Washington as a model
Richard Brookhiser, a National Humanities Medalist, is a popular author, journalist and biographer. Considering his stellar previous work about America's founding fathers, as well as his deep knowledge of George Washington, you would expect his book about the first U.S. president's leadership traits to be good. And so it is, interesting and full of well-told stories. Yet, it does falter sometimes. For example, the opening chapter lauds Washington's prescience for installing latrines in his soldiers' encampments. Such praise overlooks the fact that the Roman Army routinely dug latrines for its soldiers 2,000 years ago. Overall, Brookhiser usefully translates episodes from Washington's life into management lessons for today's executives, though it may strain the use of metaphor to rename his Mount Vernon plantation WashCorp and to classify the presidency as a start-up. Despite such small lapses, Brookhiser works many intriguing anecdotes into his narrative and demonstrates vividly just how Washington became such a significant leader. getAbstract welcomes his history-based examination of how to use Washington's leadership lessons.

Biography Applied
Among the books on management and leadership, there is a subcategory which looks at the topic from a the perspective of a historical person.A quick perusal of the bookshelves suggests that a CEO can learn from Aristotle, Queen Elizabeth or even Attila the Hun.Often, these books are a little too clever for their own good.Reducing Jesus' teachings to bulletpointed tactics or applying Napoleon's life lessons to the boardroom seem a bit trivial.Nonetheless, the genre is not without some benefit.The greatest is that these books create a new audience for biography and history.Richard Brookhiser's book on leadership through the example of George Washington is one of the best books of its type.

The author is not a business writer who tries his hand at history.Instead, Richard Brookhiser is a biographer first.As a result, his stories about the founding father are told well.The usual leap from the pages of history to modern application doesn't appear forced to Brookhiser.The depth of his knowledge of the subject makes Washington as contemporary as today's newspaper.

Brookhiser creates three broad categories for his reflections:problems, people, and self.As he explores each category, specific topics emerge, and then the author explores events from Washington's life and career.In a more traditional biography, some events would necessarily be edited out.For example, I never knew of Washington's concern for the building of latrines to protect his men from disease.The only problem with this approach is the difficulty of finding some coherence.Some events are relayed several times for different reasons, and the reader sometime gets mental whiplash trying to keep the chronology correct.

One of the greatest benefits of the book is that Brookhiser doesn't write a hagiography.He is willing to show Washington's leadership mistakes.For example, he writes about the shortcomings of his collaborative leadership style.Although a collaborative approach might adopt the wisdom of several ideas, it can also promote the weaknesses of each.George Washington is shown as a fallible human being with his own personal failings.His greatest is derived in part from a self-knowledge which allows him to compensate for those failings.

George Washington was a farmer, a soldier, a president and a patriot.Throughout all his career, he was a great leader.Brookhiser reminds us why we should continue to study and emulate the man. ... Read more

Product Description
George III (George William Frederick; 4 June 1738 – 29 January 1820 ) was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until 1 January 1801, and thereafter of the United Kingdom, formed by the union of Great Britain and Ireland, He was the third British monarch of the House of Hanover, and the first of Hanover to be born in Britain and speak English as his first language.

George III's long reign was marked by a series of military conflicts involving his kingdom, much of the rest of Europe, and further afield in Africa, the Americas and Asia. Early in his reign, Great Britain defeated France in the Seven Years' War, becoming the dominant European power in North America and India. However, many of its American colonies were soon lost in the American Revolutionary War, which led to the establishment of the United States. A series of wars against revolutionary and Napoleonic France, over a twenty-year period, finally concluded in the defeat of Napoleon in 1815.

In the latter half of his life, George III suffered from recurrent and, eventually, permanent mental illness. This baffled medical science at the time, although it is now generally thought that he suffered from the blood disease porphyria. Porphyria can be triggered by the poison arsenic, and recent studies have shown high levels of arsenic in locks of King George's hair. After a final relapse in 1810, his eldest son, George, Prince of Wales ruled as Prince Regent.
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Customer Reviews (2)

Thanx 4 the warning! reviewer: Apple Allen
I've been burned a few times thinking .99 was such a good deal, who cares if it stinks? I'm a new Kindle owner and I could have bought 1 decent book with what I've wasted on books like this. I was going to give it a try, but I'll take your advise to save my money.

Not a biography!
Don't make the same mistake I did and download this item to your Kindle without previewing it first. I expected biography, but the subtitle says it all: "Fragments of Two Centuries: Glimpses of Country Life . . ." Interesting to some, maybe; definitely not what I expected. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Dolley Madison, the hostess with the mostest, was not just a simple farm girl, she was a national hero!
Dolley Madison was one of those types of people who seemed to have everything going for her.She was charming, graceful, stylish and an excellent hostess with the mostest."Everybody loves Mrs. Madison. That's because Mrs. Madison loves everybody."When she was young, she was just a simple farm girl, but later on she met and married James Madison who was seventeen years older than she was.He couldn't have made a better choice because everyone just loved sweet Dolley!

She held weekly parties or "drawing rooms" where she greeted everyone as if they were "family or a long-lost friend and she had a 'smile and a pleasant word for everybody.'"She was also a fine decorator and saved a spot in the dining room for Gilbert Stuart's lifesize portrait of George Washington.But soon something ill was in the wind.In 1814 the British invaded America and the jolly Dolley and her parties were no more.Soldiers had to guard the presidential mansion, but soon were spooked, deserted and left Dolley alone.She too needed to escape, but oh, my ... how was she going to rescue poor George?

This is nonfiction the way it should be.Exciting with a bit of drama thrown in for good measure.This book was easy to read and the simple, but novel topic pulled me right into the tale.I've always enjoyed Don Brown's inimitable art work that adds just the right amount of pizazz to his books.If you want a bit of history for your youngster, especially the reluctant reader, this book will fill the bill.I'm sure you'll be wondering just how Dolley managed to save good old George Washington too!

A sweet surprise
We really enjoyed this book. In just a few pages the author tells the story of how Dolley Madison saves a painting of George Washington. And we learned a lot about her bravery, determination and importance in the early years of our country.

The illustrations were a bit odd. As in they could have been MUCH better. But the text is so engaging that we can't complain too loudly.

We'll use this again.

*taken from my review at goodreads ... Read more

Product Description
George Washington chapter from the book-Facts about the Presidents, featuring data on the president-s background, life, and administration. Here you will find comprehensive,-uniformly arranged data on birth, family, education, nomination and election, congressional sessions, cabinet and Supreme Court appointments, vice president, first lady, and more--highlighting both the personal and political. Bibliographies guide readers to additional information on the president. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Facts about the Presidents
I know this product well of old. I have previous editions. I enjoyed the current edition. I am a history lover so this well within my experience

Now in a fully updated eighth edition
Now in a fully updated eighth edition, "Facts About The Presidents From George Washington To Barack Obama" is an essential, core addition to every school and community library. Divided into two distinct parts, "Facts About The Presidents" offers biographical data on all 44 of America's presidents, as well as comparative data with respects to presidential chronology, family history, personal background, education and career, residence, physical characteristics, death and burial, commemoratives, and general statistics. Of special note is the section devoted to presidential elections, conventions, candidates, election returns, the vice-presidents, and more. "Facts About The Presidents" is an 816-page compendium of superbly researched, organized and presented information covering everything from presidential vetos to presidential salaries, making it an invaluable reference for students as well as an engaging browse for non-specialist general readers with an interest in those who have held the office and responsibility of presiding over the nation from its founding to the present day.
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Product Description
A screen display featuring George Washington. ... Read more

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Product Description
P R E F A C E
THE following publication originated in the author’s
wish to place within reach of the great body of his
countrymen an authentic biography of General
Washington.

Judge Marshall, in his valuable life of this illustrious
patriot, has embraced not only the settlement and general
history of the North American Colonies, but also the
political history of the United States. His work is therefore
necessarily too expensive to be obtained by all classes of
American people. The writer of these memoirs
apprehended, that by publishing the Life of Washington in
one volume, reasonable in its price, he should enable those
of his fellow citizens, who are not in possession of
Marshall, to leave to their posterity the memorial of a man
who was pre-eminently distinguished as a soldier and
statesman.

General Washington was from his youth devoted to his
country; his character therefore cannot be portrayed,
without bringing into view many important public
transactions. The plan of the writer has been to notice no
individual or even further than was necessary to display the
principal character.

He has made Judge Marshall his leading authority for
fact, and has in some measure followed him in order of
events. The histories of the war by Doctors Ramsay and
Gordon, and several original writings, have been consulted;
but he trusts that greater liberty has not been taken with any
of them than is fair and honourable. ... Read more

Product Description
George Washington was larger than life and often called the "indispensable man".This is one of the finer single volume biographies of Washington, making ample use of his letters and writings, giving us a rich portrait of the man behind the legend.

The tone of the book is "matter of fact" and seemingly free of unsubstantiated opinion and it manages to cover most of the main events of Washington's life.

Rather than being a dry, fact-based account of Washington's life, Thayer's biography has interest and flavor that provide terrific insight into the Father of Our Country. ... Read more

Product Description
The twenty-second day of February is a national holiday in America because, as everybody knows, it is the anniversary of George Washington's birthday. All loyal Americans love and honor him, the greatest man in the history of the Republic. ... Read more

Product Description
The addresses are given each time that a President is inaugurated. 55 addresses have been given by 37 presidents. George Washington's second address was the shortest (135 words) and William Henry Harrison delivered the longest (8,495 words). Five presidents never gave an address: Tyler, Fillmore, Andrew Johnson, Arthur, and Ford. In each of these cases, the incoming President was succeeding a President who had either resigned, or died in office, and was subsequently not elected to a full term. ... Read more