I found this book in the library when I was teaching a plants unit in my first grade class. Though it was old and the language was outdated as well (particularly in reference to African Americans as "negros" and "coloreds"), I thought I would try it out as a read aloud. My students loved it! It is rare to find a biography of a famous adult that focuses mainly on his childhood. George W. Carver's life reads like an adventure, not a boring biography. I wish this book was still in print, but it is worth some searching to acquire it. Kids love this great story of an African American hero who did not let his circumstances deter him from reaching his goals. My only initial problem with this book was the language used to describe African Americans. My principal, an African American man, believes that it should be read as is, without changing the words "negroes" or "colored people". This is a history lesson, he says, and children need to know that these terms were once used but are no longer acceptable. I share this to say, don't let the outdated language keep you from sharing this wonderful book with your children.

"The true moral, if any, to be drawn from [Washington's] life, is that one should dress as magnificently as possible and indulge in every luxury available, including the dance, the theatre, the ballroom, hunting, fishing, racing, drinking and gambling, observing in all of them temperance, justice, honesty and pride, while avoiding excess and loss of dignity. And a fine code it is." - Rupert Hughes.

Despite my general admiration for the Founding Fathers, George Washington is not a figure of whom I would have contemplated reading a multi-volume biography, at least not until I had already done the same for Jefferson and Madison, to whom I feel much closer in temperament, and had plenty of time to spare. I thought Richard Brookhiser's informative but unexceptional biography of him (*Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington*) contained everything I would ever want to know about the man.

But then, while reading Kenneth Roberts' literary autobiography, *I Wanted to Write*, I came across the following remark, extracted from the August 22, 1931 entry of his diary: "Read from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. in Volume 2 of Rupert Hughes's *George Washington*- history at its best and most brilliant."

Given the scantiness of Roberts' praise of historians, and my own steady admiration for him, this was enough to make me order the three volumes of Hughes' biography right away.

It is composed of three volumes, covering the first five decades of Washington's life and leaving out the last two, which include his presidency. They are titled respectively: "The Human Being and the Hero, 1732-1762", "The Rebel and the Patriot 1762-1777" and "The Savior of the States 1777-1781". So far, I have only read Volume 1, but it is enough to make me second Roberts' verdict about the book: not only is it well-researched and reliable, but it goes beyond those virtues of small books and rises to the level of great literature, rich with the kind of wisdom that makes you feel you are going to return to it again and again for more than just facts.

Hughes himself was a friend of Roberts. They first met at MI-4 during World War I. As Roberts writes in his autobiography: "It was my great good fortune to have as a commanding officer Major Rupert Hughes... If Major Hughes could have been given as free a hand with Military Intelligence as General Donovan was later given with O.S.S., the United States would long ago have had a genuine Intelligence Section." One also learns that at that time, Hughes was deaf, the father of two children, and "working furiously on galley proofs of a novel." Later on, he introduced Roberts to the man who would become his lifelong best friend, Booth Tarkington, and helped him out with his historical novels of the Revolutionary War by lending him volumes from his own well-endowed library.

Actually, Hughes has authored exactly the same kind of biography of Washington that Roberts would have written had ever ventured into this area, hence the latter's admiration: like Roberts in *Trending Into Maine* or *The Battle of Cowpens*, Hughes often prefers to let source documents speak for themselves; he has a writer's eye for the telling detail, for factual consistency and for the complexity of the human soul; and he is particularly brilliant at debunking myths and rescuing the truth from a jungle of misapprehensions and outright fabrications.

I was also particularly seduced by his personal philosophy, the benevolence of which is evinced by his view of business and money-making. But for its ambivalence, the following passage would sound almost Randian: "It has been overlong the custom to assume that epic poetry flies out of the window the moment business comes in at the door. We should realize the truer truth that all great business men and business triumphs have been, when understood, epic in virtues, epic in sins, aglow with poetic imaginations both of horror and beauty, tragedy and triumph."

Hughes' biography of Washington is a brilliant portrait of a multi-faceted man - military commander, land speculator, slave owner, lover and bon vivant. In addition to its richly detailed depictions of military life and military campaigns, it contains a very enlightening annex about Washington's religious fervour (or lack thereof) and a haunting treatment of his enduring passion for Sally Fairfax, the married woman he was more ardently in love with than he ever was with his own wife.

The book is really great. The facts are great for a report by a elementry student. The author is really nice as well.

This book was a great, easy read. Nothing is off limits in this biography of Washington that explores everything from his love life to the challenges of his presidency. The authors are even sarcastic and funny at times. I also like that half the book is full of documents. I found myself reading the book and when i wanted more information, flipping to the back of the chapter and looking at the documents which included washington's list of slaves, a love letter he wrote to a girlfirend in addition to the usual documents one might suspect like his inaugural address. Everything was great about this except the price. I found it in a local library to read for free but I dont think I would shell out that much for a book.

I remember buying this book when I was in the 5th grade ( I am now 20 years old) on a trip to Washington. I bought this book at the top of the washington monument. I remember how I could have looked through the pages a hundred times. His illustrations are to date and very detailed. I remember there being several dolls of Washington and his family and a good amount of outfits for each doll. This will be a collectors item one day.

Whether you are interested in George Washington specifically, or military history generally, this book is a must read. Higginbotham, a well-respected University of North Carolina history professor has done a magnificent job of explaining the unique relations between civilian and military interests that are so crucial in our form of government. In the process, you are sure to gain a renewed appreciation for George Washington, the military leader whose character and forebearance created a solid foundation for American military tradition.

George Washington is such a mythic figure, that any honest account of his life and career brings both surprises and a reaffirmation of just what a great man he was. Burke Davis is a first rate writer and historian and focusses here on Washington the General who led America to military victory in the Revolutionary War despite long odds and much personal hardship. Just keeping his ragtag army together was enough of a challenge. To actually win battles such as Trenton and Yorktown and survive the treachery of Benedict Arnold makes him all the more remarkable. It is a shame that the Revolutionary War evokes little of the passion in Americans today that the Civil War does. Washington's military feats dwarf those of Grant, Lee and Sherman. With this book, Washington the military commander gets his due.

This easy reader is a delightful story to share with all students. The information gained about President Washington is unforgettable. Children will love that George named his dog "Sweetlips" and they won't forget that he was super kind and honest to one of his enemies! This book will be a staple in classrooms across the country and this true story of George may replace his "Cherry Tree" tale.

I am one of those rare peope who actually read my cookbooks. Let me tell you, this is a must read. Colorful stories and wonderful recipes from America's colonial history. I found everything about this book delightful. From Thomas Jefferson's recipe book at Monticello explaining the many uses for noodles to Napoleon's Artichoke recipe.