George Washington's Mount Vernon is not only an American landmark but a landmark of what America is, a warm, welcoming and gracious home. This beautiful book takes you through a four season walk of Mount Vernons spectacular grounds and a detailed and historical tour of the homes interior. With the easy interesting writing and the spectacular color photography all guided by the expert hand of Wendell Garrett, we learn and understand Washington's love and devotion to his beloved home. For anyone searching for detailed information on colonial interiors or historical gardening ideas, this book will be a welcomed addition to your home library.

This is the "must have" edition of George Washington's Rules of Civility. Beautifully bound in leather and richly illustrated by 18th Century period prints, this brief, 128 page, 8.25 by 5.25 inch, handsome work fits easily in your coat pocket or brief case. This attractive book is the perfect gift for every young person and adult alike whether they are a casual leisure reader, a student, or a scholar; no one will be diappointed. This edition will be enjoyed and appreciated at every level of reader interest. Each rule has been written as Washington himself recorded the maxim. The editor's stated intent being to retain the feel of Colonial America. Each rule is numbered consecutively and presented in over-sized type. If the reader chooses to read more deeply he or she will be richly rewarded and discover an excellant example of careful scholarly research. The edtitor has reached back to the very origin of the Rules of Civility in 1595. He makes it possible to trace the development of the Rules of Civility over 300 years thereby placing Washington and Colonial America within its own rich historical context. By presenting each rule with its earlier texts it is possible for the reader to discover the evolution of each rule for him or herself. Under each numbered rule is printed its earlier version as it appeared in previous centuries. Where the rule was printed in French it is recordered here in the original middle French and then carefully translated into English. The work is well documented. I give this edition the highest possible recommendation to all readers.

I must admit, when I was growing up, I hated American history above all else. In comparison with British history or world history, it seemed so boring...all facts and no fun. Well, this book will make you enjoy eating your cultural veggies. First of all, the authors took the trouble to include the trivial details about the "players" that make them human and interesting. Also, because of Ms. Foster's unique panoramic approach to history, you are better able to understand the environment that made our heroes and villians what they became. Although this book is considered a children's book, I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone over the age of 10 or so. The text will certainly not bore you, I promise!

Leave it to George Washington, the man who broke the rules in war to defeat the British, to carry on in the field of architecture, designing Mount Vernon as he wished it to be -- not as architects who were consulted by Washington deemed it "should be." Though bits and pieces of Mount Vernon's architecture can be traced to Palladio, and English pattern books by Langley and Swan, Washington relied upon his horse-sense in combining these elements after his own taste to create the facade and interiors. The result was a remarkable bit of architectural sleight of hand: a structure immense in scale, yet unpretentious -- incorporating elements that exude strength, but without pomposity or intimidation -- asymmetrical, without spoiling the overall sense of balance. Washington's preference for Tuscan simplicity evokes a harmonious impression that manages to be both masculine and quaint. It's a storybook house created by the man who gave us our country. Mr. Greenberg's book is top drawer reading for architects, interior designers, homeowners, landscape architects and city planners who wish to recover a master vision -- and apply it to the next iteration of Republican taste.

I read this book, James Thomas Flexner's "Indispensible Man" and Richard Norton Smith's "Patriarch" consecutively. Although the details of the various books run together, I do remember that this is the best of the three that I read, even though my interest runs more towards the politics of early America. Callahan gives us excellent examples both of Washington's military insight and his leadership skills. I read these three books in an effort to understand the man-myth Washington and was most successful in reading this book. Highly recommended. Also, It might help you to read my reviews of the two previously mentioned books.

GEORGE WASHINGTON is a "children's book" but I enjoyed it, too. It is a very easy read, completed and enjoyed on say a plane ride from Washington DC to Philadelphia and/or New York City, which just happen to figure in a major way in this delightfully light paperback. While reading it, yes on the plane, I found myself feeling how I could not wait to put my child on my lap and enjoy it with her. I especially want to read (and reinforce) George's advice on choosing a husband; it's not to be missed!

The authors call our first and perhaps finest President a true "superstar" and they are so right. They describe this great man's character, to which we all want our children to aspire in such realistic and easy to understand terms it must be shared in this format with them. Indeed, the singularly most crucial founding father had quite the admirable relationships with family and friends, in addition to his fellow soldiers and legislators. I wish all world leaders could follow in his foot steps.

Finally what made this such a uniquely special book is the not-so-trivial facts about Mr. Washington's upbringing and life that shows us all how a real hero should (and he did) behave. Read this to your children and have them compare Washington to any music, sports or movie "hero" and have THEM deduce how pale the comparison is.

Order a copy for your favorite child and thank me later, when he or she is old enough to vote.

Fleshed out with an additional twenty years of meticulous, exhaustive research and newly revised by Robert E. Jones (Professor of History, Fordham University), George Washington: Ordinary Man, Extraordinary Leader is an informative biography of America's first President. Focusing especially on Washington's trials during the Revolution and his service as President, George Washington: Ordinary Man, Extraordinary Leader is a compelling look at both the legend and the man, his foibles as well as his virtues, and his legacy and contribution to both American and world history. George Washington: Ordinary Man, Extraordinary Leader is very highly recommended for academic and community library American History and Biographical Studies collections.

The book is a finally written, well reserched study of Washington's agricultural endeavors. As a careful examiner of Washington's life, I can tell you that the Fusonies' rpovided a much needed study of an aspect of Washington's life that was important not only to himself, but to the planter society he lived in. This book's careful study of Washington provides a better synopsis of the role of agriculture in molding the Virginia society that produces many of the leaders of the Revolution than more well-known books such as, Tobacco Culture by T.H. Breen

This book is excellent first and foremost because it brings together almost all of the pictorial representations of George Washington ever produced. The book includes the artwork of Gilbert Stuart, John Wollaston, Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, Charles Willson Peale, and many others in addition to engravings. This book also contains a vast text which is lengthy by necessity enabling the book to cover the entirety of Washington's life and includes the development of historical thought in the years since Washington's death. The book also includes an enormous amount of interesting information on Martha Custis and her children and other family relations. Whether a person is a devoted researcher of George Washington himself or the colonial period or the American Revolution years or all of the above, this book makes an excellent addition.

A wonderful story that captures the time and truth of the era. The best part is - it was entertaining to the end.