This Glorious Struggle: George Washington's Revolutionary War Letters
by Edward G. Lengel
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Book Summary Information
Author: Edward G. LengelEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-02-01
ISBN: 0061251313
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: Collins
Book Reviews of This Glorious Struggle: George Washington's Revolutionary War Letters
Book Review: This Glorious Struggle: George Washington's Revolutionary War Letters.
Summary: 4 Stars
This Glorious Struggle: George Washington's Revolutionary War Letters. By Edward G. Lengel (Associate Editor, The Papers of George Washington). 304 pages. 2007.
This book is a collection of letters written by George Washington during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). It does not contain every letter which he wrote but a selection of letters. Some of the chosen letters illustrate the private side of Washington and others the very public side of Washington. Sadly most of the correspondence between Washington and his beloved Patsy (his pet name for Martha) were burned at his request shortly after his death. There are though two or three of the remaining few included in this collection.
The Washington that emerges from these letters will be no surprise to students of his life. His involvement in nearly every phase of military operations is legendary. Though he comes across as knowledgeable on everything from troop leading, development, logistics, decorum, intelligence, and of course politics it is easy to forget that like his subordinates Washington was mostly self-taught and making it up as he went along. When this is juxtaposed next to the creation and recreation of the American Army it becomes truly awe inspiring. Consider his position in DEC1775-JAN1776 and then again in DEC1776-JAN1777. In each case the American Army as it was literally ceased to exist and had to be re-created while actively engaging the enemy. Imagine being an NFL coach and nine minutes into the first quarter having to get mostly new players and coaches with no timeouts for equipping, uniforming, training, etc. Add into this that your coaches have no experience and your players have all had maybe a little bit of football in phys-ed. class back in high school.
Washington was also a true patriot. He is the genesis of a civilian controlled military in our country and his patriotism was not merely that of an aristocrat trying to better himself and his peers. It comes shining through in these letters that Washington's vision was of an entirely new society, his patriotism was not opportunism it was genuine and deeply heartfelt, almost religious in its depth and fervor. His patriotism and his religious faith were not underpinned by foreboding or a sense of restriction, rather his tone is mostly upbeat and encouraging. He never forgets to remind others and himself of posterity, and the need to challenge people to rise above themselves. He tends to dwell on what he wants instead of what is lacking, in other words he does not wallow in the sins of the present or past but rather looks towards better conditions and actions, points them out and challenges himself and others to achieve this.
Washington's letters are a snapshot into the thoughts and actions of a man who is still the Father of his country. His shadow still looms large in our lives and the handiwork of his hands is now so commonplace that our appreciation of his labors has been sadly taken for granted.
This editor of this book has largely left the language of Washington intact. Spelling, grammar, cultural and religious references are as they were in Washington's original letters. Though he was a man of perhaps three or five years of formal education Washington's prose is not at all difficult to read and understand. This book provides a good introduction into the mind and heart of the man.
Summary of This Glorious Struggle: George Washington's Revolutionary War Letters
George Washington wrote an astonishing number of letters, both personal and professional. The majority-about 140,000 documents-are from his years as commander in chief during the Revolutionary War, from 1775 to 1783. This Glorious Struggle presents a selection of Washington's most important and interesting letters from that time, including many that have never been published.
Washington's lively and often surprisingly candid notes to his wife and family, friends, Congress, fellow soldiers-and even the enemy-chronicle his most critical tactical and strategic decisions, while offering a rare glimpse of the extremes of depression and exultation into which he was cast by the fortunes of war. The letters are arranged chronologically and give a dramatic sense of the major phases of the war, from Boston, Trenton, and Valley Forge, to Monmouth and Yorktown.
The more personal missives show us a Washington who worried about his wife's well-being and who appreciated a good joke and a well-laid table, not to mention the company of the ladies.
This Glorious Struggle brings Washington to vivid life, offering a fresh and intimate sense of this most towering American figure and the critical role he played in the creation of our country.
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