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MARC Record from Library of Congress

Record ID marc_loc_updates/v37.i34.records.utf8:15404101:3243
Source Library of Congress
Download Link /show-records/marc_loc_updates/v37.i34.records.utf8:15404101:3243?format=raw

LEADER: 03243nam a22003018a 4500
001 2009033423
003 DLC
005 20090821143818.0
008 090813r20101988enk b 001 0beng
010 $a 2009033423
020 $a9780195398670 (pbk. : alk. paper)
040 $aDLC$cDLC
043 $an-us---
050 00 $aE312$b.F47 2010
082 00 $a973.4/1092$aB$222
100 1 $aFerling, John E.
245 14 $aThe first of men :$ba life of George Washington /$cJohn E. Ferling.
260 $aOxford ;$aNew York :$bOxford University Press,$c2010.
263 $a1001
300 $ap. cm.
500 $aOriginally published: Knoxville : University of Tennessee Press, c1988.
520 2 $a"Written by John Ferling, one of America's leading historians of the Revolutionary era, The first of men offers an illuminating portrait of George Washington's life, with emphasis on his military and political career. Here is a riveting account that captures Washington in all his complexity, recounting not only Washington's familiar sterling qualities--courage, industry, ability to make difficult decisions, ceaseless striving for self-improvement, love of his family and loyalty to friends--but also his less well known character flaws. Indeed, as Ferling shows, Washington had to overcome many negative traits as he matured into a leader. The young Washington was accused of ingratitude and certain of his letters from this period read as if they were written by "a pompous martinet and a whining, petulant brat." As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, he lost his temper more than once and indulged flatterers. Aaron Burr found him "a boring, colorless person." As president, he often believed the worst about individual officials. Ferling concludes that Washington's personality and temperament were those of "a self-centered and self-absorbed man, one who since youth had exhibited a fragile self-esteem." And yet he managed to realize virtually every grand design he ever conceived. Ferling's Washington is driven, fired by ambition, envy, and dreams of fame and fortune. Yet his leadership and character galvanized the American Revolution--probably no one else could have kept the war going until the master stroke at Yorktown--and helped the fledgling nation take, and survive, its first unsteady steps. This superb paperback makes available once again an unflinchingly honest and compelling biography of the father of our country"--Provided by publisher.
504 $aIncludes bibliographical references and index.
505 0 $aYoung George Washington -- The frontier warrior -- The acquisitive planter -- Patrician revolutionary -- Commander of America's Army -- At the brink -- Washington's war begins -- The campaign of 1777 -- The new Continental Army -- The character of General Washington -- The forgotten years : 1778-1780 -- Victory and retirement -- A brief retirement -- An end to retirement -- The early presidency -- The end of the first term -- The second term begins -- Last years in office -- The last years.
600 10 $aWashington, George,$d1732-1799.
650 0 $aPresidents$zUnited States$vBiography.
650 0 $aGenerals$zUnited States$vBiography.
610 10 $aUnited States.$bContinental Army$vBiography.