This is not one of Edmund Morgan's more important books, but it is worth looking at if you like Morgan's writings (as I do passionately), or if you are a George Washington buff. This is a very slim volume, consisting of one very interesting lecture on Washington as a military and political leader (arguing that Washington understood the nature of power better than anybody else in his day in the colonies or the states), and a selection of Washington's letters that provide corroboration for Morgan's arguments and insight into the pertinent topics. Where needed, Morgan provides a brief introduction to each letter. I enjoyed it, but it isn't going to make anybody outside of the two groups I mentioned above very happy.

On the copyright page, a small disclaimer appears alerting the reader that this book consists of one lecture and portions of Washtington's letters and is NOT intended to be "fresh contributions to the scholarship of the American Revolution." I will not argue this but will praise Edmund Morgan on clearly and straightforwardly explaining an his theory that George Washington's understanding of power was far beyond any of his contemporaries' or of any other American historical figure. As examples, shows the reader examples from Washingtons' life and letters with regards to national power, military power, foreign relations and the comperative power of nations and the power that comes with honor or respect.

This is a slim work, consisting of less than ninety pages, but these pages have done a great deal to flesh out my understanding of Washington the person. Morgan has convinced me that Washington is a genius with regards to the understanding of power and the remoteness and aloofness that historians often find puzzeling is less an arrogant flaw than a deliberate calculated example of his understanding of power. While this, as I have previously said, is not a "fresh contribution," it is a contribution which sums up a difficult subject in an extremely well-written and engaging way. I highly recommend it.

George Sullivan has created a very readable and fairly accurate book here. It suffers from a few errors, one of which is so glaring that it calls into question how thoroughly the book was checked or edited. This obvious error is related to the illustration on page 24, which is purported to be a drawing of William Clark's from his journal. In fact, it is not from the journals and was not drawn by Clark. The only accurate information in the book regarding this illustration is that it is credited to be among the collections of the American Philosophical Society Library. The picture on page 24 was actually drawn by Charles Willson Peale; is APS item 917.3 L58 Misc. VII, and can be viewed on-line at www.amphilsoc.org/library/guides/landc/fisher.jpg.

Other historical inaccuracies include his description of a pirogue (page 29); his claim (on page 35) that roasted beaver tongue was a favorite food (he apparently meant roasted beaver tail, or perhaps buffalo tongue); and, on page 75, where he claims that "In the Shoshone camp, Lewis met Cameahwait, the Shoshone chief." Actually, Cameahwait was among the sixty mounted warriors who came racing out at full speed to protect their people from these unknown strangers.

Still, all in all, it is a fine book and is certainly a better choice for children than the competing book by Kathryn Lasky entitled "The Journal of Augustus Pelletier : The Lewis and Clark Expedition." Lasky's book contains much fiction; is not well and obviously marked as such, and presents a very misleading picture to its youthful readers.

We just finished a week long, very intense study of Lewis and Clark. This was the book we used as a textbook. Neither the students nor I could put it down. They begged to read just one more chapter every time. The special education aide who comes in during reading even took the book home with her so she wouldn't miss anything. If you want to get kids excited about history, these "In Their Own Words" books by George Sullivan will do it!

Actually Haven't Read the Book, But Thoroughlly enjoyed The Movie. I'm Gonna Make this Review not a review.I"m Trying to Get contact's of Anybody,with his Authentic or of How to get in Touch with Jeffrey Hunter or His family.I am Mr.Tweed's Grandson.any information would be greatly Appreciated.When any information becomes avaiable. EMail.Thanks. Brian Tweed

I first saw the movie starring Jeffrey Hunter when I was little. It was one of those movies that always came on late at night, but I always stayed up to watch it. I have read the book, and actually own a hardback copy signed by Mr. Tweed himself. I spent 3 years on Guam and visited the sight of his dwelling. I won't call it a cave, because it was just a small living space between two vertical rocks. Amazing he could live there and evade capture for 22 months. It was heartwarming the way the locals protected him from capture, even though some of them paid the ultimate price for doing so. Great story about one mans struggle to survive against heavy odds and how he remained close to those he befriended up until the time of his death.

An incredible true story of Warren Jackson's life in Europe. How little this country knows what kind of conditions our fore fathers went through during World War I. Jackson tells his story from the heart, during the entire book. Some parts of his story, you'll be wishing there was more he would of said, but definately a good read.

I still don't know Washington any better. I wish she would've added a small ending explaining why the author chose to go into some subjects and neglect others entirely. Weird. This is supposed to be a love story, but we mostly read about George's passion for his neighbor; or his house. Where is this love story in the body of the text? They apparently like each other, George and Martha...
Some of the story looks like it is taken from their letters. But the author assures us it is all true. There is not much to the story---love or otherwise. Washington doesn't care for much---the Presidency or the way Martha spoils her children. He is stiff because his mom was a hag---another part played up. As for his Revolutionary campaigns or life in the White House, look elsewhere, baby!
I believe I saw somewhere that this was Clarks first book. That explains A LOT. Its a short story. Readable, not boring.
But I still feel like I know very little about George and Martha and their relationship together. But obviously it was written with love and admiration!
Would I recommend it? Sure, why not. Go for it. Don't expect much.

I don't normally read Mary Higgins Clark's books, but I decided to give this one a try. It was a fast and interesting read, and I enjoyed it very much.

This book was first written in 1969, and is being republished for the first time. It's a book that flashes between George Washington leaving the Presidency in 1797, and his memories of his life, from the beginning, then to when he met Martha ("Patsy") Custis. He grows fonder and fonder of Patsy, and when she is widowed with two young children to raise, he realizes that he really does love her, and marries her. We also read of the trials and tribulations of their life together, and of Washington's many accomplishments and defeats. I'm not sure how historically accurate this book really is, but I enjoyed it. Clark makes the people come alive, and we really do care about George and Patsy. A nice surprize from a book that I didn't think I'd like!

George Washington's father died when the future president was young. His mother was a harsh disciplinarian insuring George and his siblings behaved. George seemed to flee her whenever he could get away spending time at his half-brother's Mount Vernon home (yes - that historical home). George's first love is Sally Fairfax and his chosen profession surveyor, but war seemed to be his destiny. First he fought (unsuccessfully) during the French and Indian War and then the American Revolution.

This biography uses Washington's retirement to Mount Vernon with his beloved Patsy (Martha's nickname) as a focal point for looking back over the lives of the first president and his spouse. The book concentrates on his personal life not his public life. Thus, readers see another side to Washington. Though opinions are interspersed throughout, mystery suspense thriller writer Mary Higgins Clark provides a strong insightful look at Washington and literally the first "First Lady" that historical readers will enjoy.

Harriet Klausner

I was interested in reading this book because my grandfather was a Marine in Nicaragua during the 1920's. I thought this book would be a good way to understand and appreciate his experiences as a young man. However, this book didn't help! George Clark, I read on the book jacket, is a bookseller. I hope he's better at selling than he is at writing! There was no plot in this book; I'm not even sure he had a main point. He just lists a lot of facts! Sorry, George, that just ain't enough for this reader! I was hoping he'd provide some accounts by marines on what it was like to be there. No dice! Furthermore,I suspect the depth of the author's research; his bibliography lacked some important books such as Hans Schmidt's biography on General Smedley Butler. I guess I expected a lot more from this book than the author could give. Maybe one of these days someone will discover a Nicaragua marine's memoir. Now that I'd read. Let's hope this subject receives a worthy treatment one of these days!

In With the Old Corps in Nicaragua, George Clark relates Marine combat action from the grunt's point of view. It was a dirty war with plenty of disease, jungle rot, and collateral damage. Clark brings out all of the friction experienced by the Marines and Bluejackets by reviewing generally available sources and bringing out the daily cost of conducting the war. Readers will experience the pure Hell of moving a combat patrol a mile in the jungle, running the rapids on largely unnavigable rivers, and fighting an extremely elusive enemy. Clark does a good job of describing some of the first use of aircraft in combat operations. Nicaragua saw some of the first MEDEVACs and close air support. It was an innovative period in American military history and a portent of what would follow in WWII jungle warfare and later in Vietnam. Some of the Corps' greatest heroes saw combat in Nicaragua. Clark successfully relates their experiences. Don't look for much political or cultural analysis. Nicaragua was a small war and in this book, its story is told in the words of the privates and lance corporals who fought it.

I really have to take my hat off for George Clark and his book, WITH THE OLD CORPS IN NICARAGUA. The information I gathered from reading this book is the most informative piece of work I have ever read on the subject. This seems to have been a war that should really be called "THE FORGOTTEN WAR". The extreme detail of the firefights, ambushes, rivers, streams, terrain, pain, frustration, diseas, hardship, and even documented names of fallen Marines on any given firefight totally impressed me. Mr. Clark does an excellent job on describing the harsh combat conditions, the political enviroment at the time, he gives a good feel of the local inhabitants and their loyalty, and even betrayal of the U.S. Marines in charge of the mission in Nicaragua. Its a wonder why the Marines were so well adept in jungle warfare, with many lessons learned and above all, very well documented and studied for perfection as a superb fighting force. Mr. Clark summarizes his book with names of fallen Marines, and their companies they belonged to. He summarizes the outcome of our intervention in Nicaragua, with some great insight on how we treated our enemies and friends along with valuable lessons learned on what happens when our friends are not treated with dignity and respect. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in U.S. history, Marine Corps history, or Nicaraguan and Central American history. Hollywood should make a movie about this forgotten long and bloody intervention. It's hard to imagine that many U.S. Marines died in the vast and isolated rainforest of Nicaragua before they had helicopters, newsmedia people taking pictures at will and jet aircraft. I render a salute to Mr. George Clark, and from a Marine to a Marine, "SEMPER FI" to you for a job well done.

Though not one of Baxt's strongest (I would heartily recommend The Dorothy Parker Murder Case), there is enough clever dialogue and delightful dish to carry you through the rather weak plot. Baxt once again takes great joy in raking through the bones of celebrities, exposing the sexual proclivities and excesses of Hollywood stars. I found reading it enjoyable, though not completely satisfying as a murder mystery

Wonderful book, puts you right in the niddle of the era and makes you part of the goings on, I am old enough to remember a lot of these stars and the columnists. The bits of whimsical insight into what was going on behind the scenes is really fun to learn. I worked at Paramount Pictures for two years and this brought it back. Besides I could just hear Enda Mae Oliver saying "Mr. Dick what shall we do with this boy" or "you evil woman" to Madame Defarge in Tale of Two Two Cities. Wonderful book.

Is this book at the libaray yes or no and can the libarary get it

I am under the belief that the people that wrote favorable reviews for this book were related to Harrison Clark (the author).

Although the book contains a lot of great information, the format, the grammar, and the lack of good maps limits the readers understanding.

format - there were times when the text was so disjointed that I had to reread sections several times and sit down with pen an paper to map out his ideas.

grammar - the author, for example, will tell a story about several men. When continuing the story about one man specifically Harrison will refer to the person as "him" without letting the reader know which of the men to whom he is making the reference.

maps - The author refers to a lot of places, but doesn't map them out so it is hard to gain an understanding of what is happening in the book.

If you haven't purchased this book - don't. Given Harrison's creditials this book is a disappointment.

I found this author to be a very cumbersome writer. He delivers a lot of great information, but often in a scattered, non grammatically correct format. This has caused me to reread sections of the book and make assessments about what the author is attempting to convey. For example, the author could be telling a story about 3 men and then continue talking only about one of them - but never tells the reader about which man he is speaking....he only refers to the man as "him". For a man of his credentials, I am really disappointed.

The first of Harrison Clark's two-parter on George Washington focuses on Washington's life and career up through 1781, and this volume closes with the victory at Yorktown that effectively ended the American Revolution.

I would take issue with the Book Description (above) which describes the main character in this book as the "youthful Washingon, one not transformed into the dignified figure we associate with our first president." While Washington does not become president at any point in these pages, all the traits that we look for in Washington -- the dignified figure, master politician and diplomat, and inspirational leader -- are already in well in place by the final third of this book. One factor that practically leaps off the pages is the all-out adoration that men and women alike, regardless of their place in society, felt for the man. Clark lets those who saw and interacted with Washington do the talking through their letters or diaries, and Washington's charisma shines brightly from these pages.

Clark has chosen to let Washington and his contemporaries tell the story of Washington's life and career through their own writings, and it would be a welcome choice but for one thing -- the book is organized so clumsily as to become disjointed. Rather than edit and organize the various writings into a narrative, Clark instead divides each chapter up into what I can only think to describe as a series of short vignettes.

For example, chapter 19, "Cambridge and Boston," is broken up into 11 smaller parts, some of them only half a page long. It makes progress rather like reading a college textbook, with each section broken into smaller subsections, separated by its own little bold-faced headline ("The Vanishing Army"). Clark does tend to group events into short pieces that make sense on their own, but lack the context of the larger story.

Clark wisely spends most of his time in this book outlining Washington's career in the Continental Army, but it is sometimes difficult to get an appreciation for the battles and skirmishes Washington fought because the maps of the battle sites are almost completely useless. The map of the 1776 New York Campaign, for example, is difficult to align with almost anything in the text.

It's a shame that Clark has chosen such a floppy format in which to present his information, because there's some really first-rate stuff in here (the chapter on Benedict Arnold's treason is a highlight of the book, although it, too, gets bogged down in some disjointed narration). If you've not had the opportunity to read Washington's own letters from this period, Clark provides you with lots of samples of Washington's writings which, by themselves, make this volume worth owning. But if you're looking for an easily accessible, readable biography, this one probably isn't for you.

Five stars for wealth of information presented, but only one star for the format, bringing this one down to a three.

It was exactly what my history teacher called a "Mickey Mouse Book". This book (in my opinion) is a very good resource item for history if we're talking about with younger kids, but not with teenagers. The sentences are absurdly short and it doesn't really connect the story all that well. The information in it is great if you want to know about what George Rogers Clark and their relating people did during the entire American Revolutionary War, but as I have said before, the sentences are extremely choppy.

this book is the reason for why i work in the cinematographic area. cool; this book revelate the system of organisation and the power of the beauty with art photographic