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.

It is a wonderful idea to make available recordings of great speeches. I hope we have more of this in the future.
In the case of older speeches, the selection is very good, considering the restraints of time, and the readers are uniformly excellent.
As for the modern speeches, it is a marvel of technology that we can hear these speeches as delivered. It is incredible that we can hear the voice of William Jennings Bryan. I can listen to Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" a thousand times and never tire of it! How I wish I could listen to the voice of Patrick Henry! But this selection is too heavily weighted to the modern, and many of those do not deserve billing as the GREATEST speeches of ALL TIME. Also, some of the modern speeches which are included are abridged, e.g. Reagan is cut off in the middle of a sentence, while lengthy and undeserving speeches are played out in their entirety.
Also, with only a few exceptions, the selection is almost entirely American. It is hard to understand why Jimmy Carter's lengthy speech on energy policy is included, while Pericles' funeral oration is not; or why only a small portion of a single Winston Churchill speech is included; why while Bill Clinton's complete 1993 pulpit address, in excess of 20 minutes, is included.
It would be helpful if the complete list of speeches were available to online buyers, as it would be to shoppers in a brick and mortar store.

I have listened to this collection twice now, both times with pleasure. Hearing the acutal voices of Amelia Earhart, Rev. Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill and Neil Armstrong made a deeper connection than simply reading their words. The collection showcases different subjects and many times contrasts opposing viewpoints of the ideas. This volume is a fantastic introduction to the moving ideals and sometimes sad truths that have influenced Western Civilization.

The idea that we have become an uncivil society is correct. Trying to stimulate young minds to reflect on civility is also a good idea, but this book, overpriced and better suited for fund raising for local boyscout troops just didn't hit home, even with my own 13 year old son. It was more like one of those self-publishing recipe books local groups publish to sell for fund raising. The rules of George Washington really don't even often deal with larger issues of morality, but more like good table manners or conversation ethics. The best part of the book in my opinion was the illustrations which depicted George as a young boyscout type setting a good example of each rule, along side a misbehaving modern lad. The efforts of modern day boyscouts to grapple with the idea of civility is a worthwhile activity, but didn't really provide good reading material in this case.

In Rules Of Civility For The 21st Century, Henry Wheelwright has assembled a compendium of two hundred rules of civility drawn from submission by some four million Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts across the country. The rules of conduct were sent in by boys for themselves and others after reflecting on the rules that President George Washington copied out for himself as a youth of 14. Also provided for the reader is a Civility Workshop addressing modern threats to civility and keys to character building and leadership. Line illustrations enhanced Rules Of Civility For The 21st Century, which is an adamantly recommended acquisition for every school and public library in every community in America.

Many of the true life situations in this book are absolutely phonenomal and almost unbelievable, such things as making a trip from the USA to Japan alone and blind. The courage, tenasity and fearless drive are unmatched. This book was motivational and inspiring.

Dr.Washington's latest book "Surviving against great odds", is so very peacefull, and relaxing. I even had my ten year old read it to me while I was driving to Indiana and stuck in traffic. My son and I laughed at the gun being brought to church, fround at a pastor being a hussler (saleman), and moan at a man being put out of so many places. I tell you this book had it all. I have and I will continue to recommend it to anyone. One can really appreciate the contents within and it's historical vaule. Truely God was watching over him as only he can; just look at the falling times Dr. Washington had in his life and you can see each time God placed someone there for him. Thank you for the Riviting Reading experiecne.

I liked the way the author included photos of the presidents' wives and described which popular music and books were enjoyed by people during each president's term in office. The speeches in the back by Al Gore and George W. Bush that talk about the Florida recount during the 2000 election kind of make this book a collector's item for political history buffs.

Few books have treated this topic, Madison and Washington's collaboration, and this is an excellent treatment. Unravelling the waxing and waning of this relationship serves well those interested in the Federalist Era. The scholarship is obvious, and the presentaion is good. Those interested in the unfoldings of the Republic must pay attention to the Father of the Country, and his relationship to the Father of the Constituion. Liebiger allows an enormous view of Washington's dignity as a statesman, and Madison's erudition in the realm of Constituion building, amongst other federalist era realtionships, this collaboration was as crucial as any, and a topic long overdue.

I purchased this book with the intent to complete one or more of the recommended walking tours on my most recent trip to DC. However, I found that it made an excellent read for my flight and that the places, people, and events it describes served generally to whet my appetite for actually experiencing the adventures.

During my trip, I happened to complete parts of a couple of the walking tours, but I didn't set out to follow any of them step-for-step. (With so much to see and do in DC, I like to wander from sight to sight.) Because I had read most of the book before I was there, I was able to quickly refer to the page describing the building I was in front of at the time. For me, this was a near-perfect way to enrich my tourism experience.

I heartily recommend this book. You will find its clear directions and concise descriptions handy to have as you tour our nation's capital (and Capitol).

Anyone that needed reminding of the romanticism that this county was founded with should read Henry Cabot Lodge's biography of George Washington.

Any comprehensive study of a historical figure must include a reading of his or her words, public and private. This collection of letters and addresses spans George Washington's entire life and provides a behind the scenes look at how he managed many of the seemingly insurmountable problems he faced. Maintaining good order and discipline in the continental army, dealing with a lethargic continental congress, lending support for adoption of the consitiution, the trials of organizing the executive branch of the government as it's first president...all are brought to life through the great man's own words. His numerous private letters show the depth of feeling he held for his friends. The only fault in this work is a lack of in-depth background information on the events and people discussed in his writings. Additional footnotes would help those of us only vaugely familiar with that period in American history. This book is a great opportunity for all Americans to come to know the man and the magnitude of his achievements better than ever before.

This book give great insight into the political climate during the American revolution. Details of George Washingtons campaigns, were more interesting than I thought possible allthough parts are a bit boggged down by a little to much detail. This book gave me new insight on what Washington was up against. He did so much with so little! His political savvy and great leadership qualities are shown to us. Quite a bit diffrent from the history taught to me in the public school. I like the way Washington is revealed to the reader His story is a powerful reminder of; why we are American.