Summary Of Inventing George Washington

Edward G. Lengel. Inventing George Washington. New York: HarperCollin Publishers, 2011. 214 pp.ISBN:978-0-06-166258-4 (hardcover)

Inventing George Washington is the stretch of historical events throughout Washington’s lifetime and the way he is depicted by other people. This book describes the myths and different images that other people may not know about George Washington. As the “Father of our Country”, people are curious as to what is true and what is not true about Washington and how he served Americans throughout his time. After his death Americans sought to know more about him in his spiritual life and philosophical views. Washington inspired many people in many different ways, but people wanted to know the “real” Washington. Different
writers began to write narratives, books, and documentaries about him.
The author aims to focus attention on Washington’s ego by giving many different examples of how Americans wanted to portray him, but not all American writers were exactly right about everything in Washington’s life.
The author does a great job of giving various examples of Washington and how he handled different situations. Lengel describes Washington as a hero and how he affected our nation in a positive way. He also compares the passion to idealize Washington and to understand him and how he really affected our generation. Some writers uplifted Washington, while others wrote about him in a negative way. Some described Washington as “brave, muscular and always getting into trouble.” Others said Washington was a very charming and flirty man. Lengel describes Washington as “the center of controversy” (page 51). All the ladies wanted to get his attention. Washington fell for many different women in his time before Martha. In Valerie Hope’s writings the “The Love Affairs of George Washington,” she wrote; however, “he knew there were plenty of pretty fish in the aquarium and that it would only be a matter of time when he’d make a good catch” (page 67). Lengel’s objective in this book was to portray Washington for who he truly was. Washington in not a mythical god nor is he a scoundrel. Washington was a man with deficiencies, just like us all, but he was also a great leader and
visionary.
The authors approach was not to see Washington at just his low points and all the myths that you hear as a young child, but to really explore the depth of Washington and his style of leadership used. Many writers began to become curious about Washington’s letters and sought to learn more about him and his devoted life to America.” As he is characterized as a religious man, he avoids using Jesus Christ in his letters” (page 13). “Many people that actually knew Washington personally indicate that he prayed incessantly, went to church regularly, and knew the Bible by heart” (page 13). Eulogist declaimed, “His papers, represented “a species of public property, sacred in my hands, a permanent and supposedly irrefutable record of his thoughts and deeds” (page 15). Washington wanted to keep his books untouchable until all records of the United States had been thoroughly documented and opened to the public (page 15). Washington allowed David Humphreys to seek information from his letters under close supervision (page 15). “With Washington’s close supervision, constant force, and scrutiny Humphreys gave up” (page 15). “After his death there were stacks of volumes and well over 100,000 manuscripts, diaries, journals, schoolwork, surveying papers, and copies of almost all the letters he had written or received” (page 16). Several diaries, letters, and papers were dispersed all over the world. Many of the letters remain lost still today (page 16). However, the main point Lengel wanted to get across in his book was to not believe everything that you may hear or read. Lengel accomplished the aims of this book because he presented the many aspects of Washington. Some were positive and some were not, but the book gave data on both side and allows the reader to draw his or her own conclusion.
This book contributes to the understanding of American experience by the way Lengel describes Washington’s life as an American figure and the role he played as the “Father of our Country.” The American experience is unique to each one of us. It our personal surroundings, our culture, our economic situation, and many other things. Our unique American experience is shaped not only by the present, but by the past. Washington, as the “Father of our Country” helped shape America from the ground up. His early leadership continues to have effects our lives and our experiences today.
Lengel writes many things about Washington that pertain to U.S.
History. In many respects, Washington could be described as the earliest US History. Lengel’s description of Washington depicts a specific era of American History in this book. Throughout American history, religion has been a vital part of the American fabric (as well as world history). Washington’s religious beliefs follow history in that his beliefs were a major part of who he was and how people perceived him. “Immediately after Washington’s death, clergy made exaggerated claims, unsupported by evidence of his Christianity” (page 78). Washington in prayer at Valley Forge is an iconic image for many Americans. Washington was supposedly seen in deep in prayer by Isaac Potts. Mr. Potts relayed this to his Pastor who documented in his journal. This image was later painted by Arnold Friberg in 1976. This image of George Washington gives American Christians an image of hope and belief in Washington as deeply spiritual man. Whether or not Washington was a Christian is unknown. “Thanks in large part to Washington’s own efforts- he concealed his inner feelings from everyone, except perhaps Martha- we can never really know exactly what he did or did not believe about God” (page
78).

Inventing George Washington is a visionary analysis of George Washington throughout his life. In Lengel’s writing of this book, he found that Washington is an American figure who has been depicted in many inaccurate ways. Lengel’s descriptive narratives give a superior idea of what Washington’s life was really about. The way Washington is described gives Americans a new respect for George Washington and sets examples of classic intelligence. Students should be encouraged to read this book throughout this course.