Guest Review: Inventing George Washington

Summary: An entertaining and erudite history that offers a fresh look at America's first founding father, the creation of his legend, and what it means for our nation and ourselves

George Washington's death on December 14, 1799, dealt a dreadful blow to public morale. For three decades, Americans had depended on his leadership to guide them through every trial. At the cusp of a new century, the fledgling nation, caught in another war (this time with its former ally France), desperately needed to believe that Washington was—and would continue to be—there for them.

Thus began the extraordinary immortalization of this towering historical figure. In Inventing George Washington, historian Edward G. Lengel shows how the late president and war hero continued to serve his nation on two distinct levels. The public Washington evolved into an eternal symbol as Father of His Country, while the private man remained at the periphery of the national vision—always just out of reach—for successive generations yearning to know him as never before.

Both images, public and private, were vital to perceptions Americans had of their nation and themselves. Yet over time, as Lengel shows, the contrasting and simultaneous urges to deify Washington and to understand him as a man have produced tensions that have played out 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. Inventing George Washington explores these representations, shedding new light on this national emblem, our nation itself, and who we are. -- Harper

It's time again for a Booking Pap Pap review! This time it's for INVENTING GEORGE WASHINGTON: AMERICA'S FOUNDER, IN MYTH AND MEMORY by Edward G. Lendel. I'm not a big fan of history books, but I think this one sound terribly interesting. Here are my dad's thoughts:

INVENTING GEORGE WASHINGTON by Edward Lengel is a look at how the perception of George Washington has changed over the last 200 plus years. As editor in chief of the Washington Papers and a professor at the University of Virginia, Lengel appears well qualified to author this book.

INVENTING GEORGE WASHINGTON is not a biography but a history of the legends, myths and facts about George Washington. Lengel points out that the perception of Washington is tweaked in each generation to fit the expectations of the time. He references the writings of many Washington biographers to point out some of the half truths, exaggerations and lies that have complicated our ability to know the “real” Washington. The mishandling of Washington’s letters and papers by his ancestors also confused matters. Lengel tells the reader that the images of Washington have ranged from deifying him to debunking him and everything in between.

Some of the legends that Lengel has addressed in his book include chopping down of the cherry tree, Betsy Ross and the first flag, fighting Indians, wooing women, defying bullets, a slave child, the origin of the phrase “so help me God” in the presidential oath of office and the Washington slept here phenomenon.

Many have capitalized on the country’s fascination with George Washington – some legally and some illegally. People have forged his letters, made false claims about his life and death and sold fake artifacts. Politicians and commentators have inaccurately attributed statements to Washington to suit their agendas. Special interest groups also claimed Washington’s support. For example, gun lobbyists say he was a strong gun advocate, Christian groups assert he was a practicing believer who prayed constantly, and other groups attribute homosexuality and marijuana use to support their causes. Stories about Washington’s reincarnation, his ghost and his meetings with extraterrestrials have also been put forth.

INVENTING GEORGE WASHINGTON is a very entertaining, well researched book. I found it interesting to compare my perception of Washington before and after reading the book. It also helped me recall many of the stories I was taught in grade school as factual. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Washington, particularly those who teach history to children.

Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book and to Booking Pap Pap for his thoughtful review.