This biography is a somewhat dark biography in that it focuses on the problems and not the incredible things that George Washington did. It also contains an inaccurate quote on page 54. The source of the quote is a letter to his brother John, where Washington is describing his incredible escape from an ambush near French-held Fort Duquesne. Every officer was killed and George Washington has 4 bullet holes in his cloak and 2 horses shot out from under him. In "The Writings of George Washington," George states: "But by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had..." and he describes the situation to his brother. Albert Marrin changed this quote in his book to read: "I luckily escaped without a wound though I had..."
Many other books that have been written about George Washington have reduced Washington's quote or left it out altogether since it is a little long for children. But no one has changed it before...that is revisionistic, and unacceptable.

I had to write this review because this is a fantastic book and it deserves a better rating than it has. I have read just about all of Marrin's books. He is my favorite author of history books for young adults. The reading style is always appropriate for younger readers (age 12 and up), but usually Marrin's books are too long for this target audience, who often struggle at reading anything that takes more than hour. I've seen kids I tried to get to read this book get turned-off after raising and lowering it a few times to assess its weight. In my view every page of Marrin's "George Washington" is worth reading. Marrin often finds choice excerpts from the primary literature that give you the feeling that you're really getting to know Washington and his times. Disregard the last customer review about inaccuracy. Marrin is a true historian and even if one quote wasn't verbatim, he didn't change its meaning.

I also disagree with the School Library Journal review saying that Milton Meltzer's "George Washington and the Birth of Our Nation" and Mary Pope Osborne's "George Washington: Leader of a New Nation" are equally fine biographies. Marrin has them both beat by miles. The writing is faster paced, the illustrations are better, and the book takes the subject to a greater depth.

I'm using this book, among many others, in a homeschooling course on the American Revolution. There are many good illustrations, the language is simple and unpretentious, and the story is engaging my 13 year old -- in fact, it is often quite gory and graphic in its descriptions of wartime events! Beware if you're squeamish about war. But young lads will love it.

George Washington Carver was born a slave; he did not let that bother him. He did what he could to get through life and to get in school and out of school. The setting took place at various places: Missouri, Iowa, Alabama, etc. Carver was loving, compassionate, loyal, committed, trustworthy, etc. When he received his degree, he went back to help his people. For example, he took Washington T. Booker's offer and taught at an African-American college. Themes such as "tribulation produce perseverance, character, and then hope" was illustrated in the story. This book was written mostly in a dialogue form. Because it is a biography, the author incorporated many facts or useful information, not only about Carver, but also about slaves, the people in general, and the culture of the eighteenth hundred. Author Epstein also used irony in the book. He compared and contrast the differences between Jim, the brother, with George. The author also used metaphor. He illustrated that "the clapping was as loud as thunder." We know here that the sound of clapping can never be as loud as the sound of thunder. This book have short sentences and contain vocabularies that are easy to read and understand. Although this book was not written in a didactic tone, the story line as a whole can be used to teach the people in gneral. For example, George had every reason not to succeed. During the 18th hundred, there were many odds against slaves. For example, they were denied equal rights in many areas. George continued to pursue his dreams and goals despite the circumstances. He proved the whole world that he could overcalm any obstacle. From this, children may learn from the story that they can do anything if they set their mind into it. It is a powerful book if we make it to be. Each of the issues that is illustrated in the book can be taken out to discuss it in detail. The book is appropriate for children from ages 10 to 13 as well as adults. Teachers an parents may want to pick this ! book if they are teaching children about committment to school, being patriotic, and bein loyal. I enjoy reading about George Washington Carver. It is interesting to know all the different plants that he discovered. This book is useful because students may use it as a referrence for their book report. Another great thing about this book was that it was written in an unbias tone. There are many sensitive issues that are illustrated in the book. The author did a wonderful job at keeping each issue simple and short so that audience of all age group could understand.

George Washington Carver was born a slave; he did not let that bother him. He did what he could to get through life and to get in school and out of school. The setting took place at various places: Missouri, Iowa, Alabama, etc. Carver was loving, compassionate, loyal, committed, trustworthy, etc. When he received his degree, he went back to help his people. For example, he took Washington T. Booker's offer and taught at an African-American college. Themes such as "tribulation produce perseverance, character, and then hope" was illustrated in the story. This book was written mostly in a dialogue form. Because it is a biography, the author incoprporated many facts or useful information, not only about Carver, but also about slaves, "White" people, and the culture during of the eighteenth hundred. Author Epstein also used irony in the book. On page 31, he talked about Jim, George's brother, being very strong, and thus could live through anything. George, on the other hand, was described as being very sickly, and that he would probably die sooner or later. It turned out that Jim died and George lived. The author also used metaphor. On page 42, the authors illustrated that "the clapping was as loud as thunder." We know here that the sound of clapping can never be as loud as the sound of thunder. This book have short sentences and contain vocabularies that are easy to read and understand. Although this book was not written in a didactic tone, the story line as a whole can be used to teach the people in general. For example, George had every reason not to succeed. During the 18th hundred, there were many odds against slave. For example, they were denied equal rights in many areas. George continued to pursue his dreams and goals regardless of the circumtances. He proved the whole world that he could overcalm any obstacle. When he received his degree and taught in college, we knew that he was succesful. From this, children may learn that they ca! n do anything if they set their mind into it. This book is simples in that it contains 79 pages and 10 little chapters only. However, it is a powerful book. Each of the issues that is illustrated in the book can be taken out to discuss it. The book is appropriate for children from ages 10 to 13 as well as adults. Teachers and parents amy want to pick this book if they are teaching children about committment to school, patriotic, and being loyal.

If you like excitement, fun, and history all put together you want to read the book "George Washington Carver". The excitement is when he gets captured as a baby. The fun is when you are reading. There are many cliff hangers. The history is the whole book. Though it is history Sam and Beryl Epstein made it interesting, too! I think you should read this book. Enjoy!

I located a hard copy of this book and decided to just hear what the then Gov. Bush had to say. It was a few months after the rollercoaster of the presidential election.

To be honest, I can't figure out why this book has received such low ratings. I went into the book with an open mind (I was one of those who were on the fence this past election and opted for who I thought was the best man). I had concerns on some of the views and stances Mr. Bush took as Gov. of Texas.

I found this book extremely easy to read and follow. It was almost like spending a weekend in conversation with someone while touching a vast array of topics in getting to understand the person. It was rather enjoyable, especially if you embarked on reading this with an open mind. I have read far worse and/or "dry" books.

I suggest if you would can open this book with an open mind and would like to hear President Bush's thoughts, rational and stances that the reader could come out with more insight to George W. I don't think the book itself would have swayed me during the election but I appreciate the openness of discussing various topics. On hindsight, maybe had I been open enough to have read the book, I would have had an easier time making my presidential decision this past election.

To me, this book deserved a three plus star rating but I have no qualms recommending it to interested readers and giving it a four star rating, in my opinion.

"A Charge To Keep" is a revealing look into the personal stories and public life of one of America's most intriguing political leaders. I also found it to be inspirational and optimistic. I enjoyed seeing the fifteen pages of pictures in the center of the book. At the end of the book you will find an Index so you can look up his views on anything from baseball to social security.

I have been following the news for a while now and found it enlightening to finally get the other side of the story on many issues. You will so enjoy reading the other side of so many stories the media distorted for their own use. I have always believed that it is best to go to the source and learn the truth. In this book, you will finally hear George W.'s side of the story and also hear the truth about how he has successfully worked with Republicans and Democrats to enact Texas' two largest tax cuts.

This is a book filled with personal and political experiences which have shaped his values and led him to his decision to become a candidate for President. You will read about everything from his experiences as Governor to his love of baseball.

I found it interesting to read about his inspiration for his philosophy of "leave no child behind." This actually came from his working for an inner-city poverty program. You will fully understand how this man developed his compassionate conservative philosophy. You will truly see the heart of a man who is now our President.

There are qualities we all want to see in a President: Honesty, discipline, leadership, a proven track record of success, the ability to solve problems, a love for America, a love for the people of America, a can do attitude, moral values, a man who gives of himself, an insightful leader, someone who can keep the peace and knows that to do this means keeping our military strong, a man who can propose creative solutions and a man with a proved record of serving his country.

I love the fact that he served in the Air National Guard, that he and his wife Laura have a love of reading and want to help every child learn to read, and that he knows that he is responsible to a higher power. He lives his faith, but does not flaunt it.

"America is a great country because of our religious freedoms." --George W. Bush

"Reading is to the mind what food is to the body." --George W. Bush

For anyone who thinks that George W. Bush is cashing in on his father's good name...they have not read this book! This is a self-made man. I noticed that his values have not changed over the years. You will see this by reading the information on his past political campaigns. You will also see why reporters should read his book to get the real story. Through his life, he has also seen America's culture change dramatically and knows it is time to usher in an era of personal responsibility. He is a student of history and has studied the events that shaped America's political story. Men will love the story of his first solo flight in an F-102 on page 53, and the story about "the cuff links" given to him by his father, on page 42. Women will love how he finally was introduced to Laura and how much he loves her and their daughters.

"Unconditional love is the greatest gift a parent can give a child." --George W. Bush

George W. Bush makes me want to stand up and say I am proud to be an American. He believes in the American people and wants us to seize the moment. He inspires HOPE!

"I am optimistic our children's lives will continue to improve in material terms. The risk is that their moral and spiritual lives will not improve. You see the strength of a society should not be measured only in the wealth it accumulates or the technology it develops. The strength of a society should be measured in the values its people share." --George W. Bush

What do I like most about the publishing of this book besides the fact that it tells a wonderful story of a kind and generous man? He has donated his share of the proceeds to the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of America, and Girls, Inc.

This is not a monumental piece of literature, but it was not writen to change the world. The books job was to tell the people who George W. Bush is, and it accomplished this job very well! It covers his life from childhood to today. And most importaintly, is clearly states his political beliefs and convictions, so you KNOW the man well when you finish. No psychobabble, no theories, just cold, hard facts on the content of his character. By the way, conserning his "Jesus Christ" answer as his favorite philosopher in the debate...if you think that a part, even a very small part, of that answer was political positioning, you NEED to get this book! This is not a boaring preachy read, just a good man shareing his past and present self, as well as his optimistic view of the future.

I have trouble calling this a book. It's a bound collection of calligraphy, and not very good calligraphy at that. Many letters are unreadable. Penmanship should be to help communicate by written word. This book is not helpful unless you're experienced with calligraphy.

Mr. Bickham was an 18th century engraver and calligrapher. Although the book (orignally published ca 1733) begins with a set of rules on how to form letters, these rules and the book's examples are best studied by an experienced calligrapher. This is NOT a beginner's book. But it is delightful for those who like to examine the formal hands of nearly three centuries ago. The examples are not just alphabets but writing samples. Fancy "Content alone is true happiness; or the Country Lass"? How about "Beauty's a Fair But Fading Flower"? There are many calligraphic examples from copperplate to blackhand. As the gentlelman says, everything the "young clerk's assistant" might need.

This combat memoir is amazing. Most young soldiers find themselves disillusioned after their baptism of fire, but return with a new maturity. Not so George Lince. This veteran has merely catalogued a vast array of bitches, gripes and moans about his WWII experiences: his buddies were dishonest and lazy, his gear was antiquated and, yes, the food was terrible. Even worse, his father was unsympathetic and his girlfriend left him. This is not a case of combat angst; this is common whining, a display of self-pity carefully nurtured for fifty years. Even worse, the book is padded with long passages from other (and better) books. Save your money.

A new author telling us of the real war. Not only the war fought on the beach or in the foxhole but the war within himself. The shock and realization of what war really was from a 17 year old eyes. Not the John Wayne war, but the war our fathers and grandfathers fought. These men gave just as much as our founding fathers gave in the early days of the United States. This should be read so we may understand and remember the destruction war brings. These memories of his will be yours after reading this book. His words draw you in to read page after page of how this teenager survived the hell in Okinawa. Then 50 years later returning for forgiveness from the Okinawan people and receiving the love of humanity from this tiny island that shaped the authors future

All i have to say is when the monkey eats jelly it eats a lot and it eats it fast.

This is a collection of stories that have appeared in recent editions of the Avengers. The main storyline is a romance triangle between the Vision, Scarlet Witch, and Wonder Man with a Grim Reaper and Triune stories as backdrop. The Perez artwork is dazzling. He is truly the best Avengers artist of all time and his feel for the characters is remarkable. The stories are somehwat hard to follow. Busiek is a great writer but on the Avengers, he has a tendency to try to tell too many stories or too much story at once. When you have at least seven different Avengers to get into the book, it becomes very crowded. The Ultron Unlimited GN is a lot better because it concnetrates on Avengers vs Ultron, and doesn't have as many loose threads as this book.

If you plan to underline portions of Byron's work or comment in the margins of the text, avoid this edition as any ink "bleeds" through its poor quality paper (pencil works fine).

Follows Custer's military life from battle to battle from the Civil War to Indian fighter to his gloriously stupid death at Little Big Horn. An inspiring leader who always rode at the front of his troops, he finally led them into the greatest victory ever won by the Sioux. Much is made of his devotion to wife Libbie. Disobeying orders, he once abandoned his regiment to check on her well-being and was suspended without pay for almost a year. Drawings, photos, maps, glossary, bibliography, websites, index, chronology all included

This book is interesting from a child's perspective. However the vocabulary and many of the concepts were a little too advanced for my twelve year old students to grasp. I was disappointed that the focus of the book was only on the youthful George Washinton. Since nothing much is known about his childhood, the author took a great deal of liberty in fleshing out the story.