Being George Washington: The Indespensable Man, As You've Never Seen Him by Glenn Beck

May 24, 2012 Dennis Coslett rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The more I learn about George Washington, the more I realize what a remarkable man he was. More than once, he had power in his hands, and the possibility of gaining more. On each occasion, he gave up that power -- the first time when he resigned his commission as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, the second time when he passed up any opportunity to mold the Presidency to his own tastes while serving on the Constitutional Convention, and the last time at the end of his second term as Pr...more The more I learn about George Washington, the more I realize what a remarkable man he was. More than once, he had power in his hands, and the possibility of gaining more. On each occasion, he gave up that power -- the first time when he resigned his commission as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, the second time when he passed up any opportunity to mold the Presidency to his own tastes while serving on the Constitutional Convention, and the last time at the end of his second term as President of the United States.

Each time George Washington gave up supreme power, he did so for the good of the nation. Each time he did it, he did so to strengthen the institutions of the brand-new American republic. He was able to put the greater needs of his country ahead of his own advancement, proving himself to be truly a man of character when he did so.

In this book, Beck examines different time periods in George Washington's life, starting with his military command during the French and Indian War and ending with his death at Mount Vernon in 1799. In between, he describes incidents from the Revolutionary War, the Constitutional Convention, and his presidency. Beck describes how Washington responded to a number of crises that could affect the future of the fledgling United States of America. Beck examines how Washington's character influenced his actions in each of these cases.

Beck is not afraid to discuss Washington's faith in God. George Washington was a devout man, who prayed regularly. Beck mentions several incidents, from the Battle of the Monongahela through the American Revolution, that led Washington to believe that God was watching out for him or supporting the cause of the colonists in their rebellion against the British military. For example, on one occasion, two storms, following each other closely, prevented the British troops trapped at Yorktown from escaping, and also prevented the Royal Navy from leaving New York harbor, where it had gone to repair it ships after a naval battle with the French.

Beck uses his biographical sketch of George Washington to explain how he developed these traits that made him the man he was.

Finally, Beck relates his analyses of Washington's character to the modern day, and how it compares to some of the career politicians who are serving in government today. He makes the point that Washington's positive traits are still relevant today, and how you can apply some of his traits to your own life. Maybe you will never become the Father of your Country, but, Beck says, you can still make a difference.(less)

like 3 likes · see review

Oct 06, 2012 Michael Austin rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012

I am giving this book two stars out of respect for the intent of the project. I am a political moderate who has often disagreed with Glenn Beck in the past. But I also recognize that he is a major media force and that, should he ever choose to use his powers for good and not evil, he could make important contributions to American political discourse. I had hoped that this book would be a start in that direction, and, in some ways, it is. In _Being George Washington_, Beck makes a good faith effo...more I am giving this book two stars out of respect for the intent of the project. I am a political moderate who has often disagreed with Glenn Beck in the past. But I also recognize that he is a major media force and that, should he ever choose to use his powers for good and not evil, he could make important contributions to American political discourse. I had hoped that this book would be a start in that direction, and, in some ways, it is. In _Being George Washington_, Beck makes a good faith effort to step outside of the conservative ideology that has always animated him. Gone is his usual stridence and arrogance. Here, he deals generously with those he disagrees with, and he genuinely tries to present George Washington as a suitable model for Americans of all political persuasions. I applaud this effort and find little to disagree with on ideological grounds.

That said, it isn't a very good book.

It is hard to say what kind of book this is trying to be. The text fits into three distinct genre categories, any one of which could have made for a promising book about George Washington. The three categories are:

1. Historical Fiction: About 60% of the book could best be described as a historical novel written on the 5th-8th grade reading level. This novel deals very unevenly with Washington's life, beginning with the French and Indian War and focusing principally on the American Revolution before jumping to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and and the Farewell Speech in 1796. I call this portion a novelization, rather than a biography, because the author goes frequently into the minds of the characters and pulls out thoughts and motivations that go well beyond what any biographer could surmise. Take the first sentence of the book: "The colonel's horse was terrified." It is the novelist, not the biographer, who knows what goes on in the mind of a character's horse.

There is nothing particularly objectionable about the novelization portion of the book, but neither is there anything remarkable. Much the same narrative could be found in any one of dozens of young adult versions of the George Washington story.

2. Historical Analysis: A second component of the book--one not clearly delineated from the first--aims to analyze the significance of George Washington's life for the modern reader. Again, there is little to object to here. Most of the analysis fits within the general set of platitudes that most people have about George Washington: the importance of conviction, the need for fixed principles, an abiding belief in the justness of one's cause--that sort of thing. Much of this analysis comes in somewhat annoying grey boxes plopped in the middle of the novelization with titles like "Thinking Outside the Eighteenth-Century Box" and "What If He Had Been King?"

3. Leadership Manual: Beck begins the book with the assertion that all Americans can "be George Washington," which is to say that everybody can, by studying Washington's leadership principles, be the kind of person that Washington was and make a positive difference in the world. To help us along, he pauses the novelized narrative every now and then to point out some aspect of Washington's leadership that we should strive to emulate. Once again, there is nothing earth shaking here--much the same ground has been covered in _George Washington on Leadership_ or _George Washington's Leadership Lessons_. From Beck, we learn that we should be on time, believe in God, be willing to compromise, and sweat the small stuff. Pretty basic, really, but it is always nice to have reminders.

As I said, any one of these elements could have made for an interesting book. And there are probably ways that they could have been combined together coherently to create something unique and interesting. Beck and his team, however, have simply thrown them together haphazardly with no real thought about how to give coherence to this odd collection of Washingtonian bric-a-brac. Almost everything that the book does is done much better in other (and less expensive) volumes, and the whole thing feels like uncorrelated notes that have been hastily assembled and placed between cardboard covers in time to make a Christmas killing--which, in fact, it is. The credits for _Being George Washington_ list six different people as writers and thirteen more as "contributors & researchers." Beck himself was simply the compiler of random bits of work that other people did. And it shows.

Ultimately, what this book shows us is that Glenn Beck has ceased to be a shrill ideological firebrand and become the floor supervisor of an assembly line. _Being George Washington_ was not written so much as it was assembled from the work of a team of writers and researchers with no real understanding of what the final product should look like. "Glenn Beck" (tm) is simply the brand name that guarantees book sales. I fully expect that this franchise will expand--that, in the next few years, we will see similar books on Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, and the other Founding Fathers. And from there: cat food, salad dressing, and beer. The good news is that the world has little to fear from Glenn Beck in the future. The bad news is that we have nothing to learn from him either.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Apr 21, 2012 Gene rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Being George Washington has much to like and much to dislike. The historical details about Washington's life were very interesting and kept me coming back to the book. The presentation of history in story format was fairly readable. However, Beck's moralizing was predictable and uninspiring. The Washington presented in this book was such a great man, he deserved much better.

Additionally, the book's layout was incredibly distracting. The flow was broken up by a ridiculous number of inset sections...more

like 4 likes · see review

Mar 01, 2012 Luckngrace rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, history, politics, war

I learned much about the great Christian men who led settlers and backwoodsmen to battle against the greatest power in the world. God must have put extra guardian angels around George Washington at Trenton where he escaped unscathed having 4 bullet holes in his coat, one through his hat and having 2 horses shot out from under him. Later, not one but TWO storms prevented England's navy from reaching Cornwallis at Yorktown.

I get emotional when I think how our country has devolved since these men...more

like · see review

Feb 19, 2012 Shellys♥ Journal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, history, self-help, non-fiction

I just finished Ron Chernow's bio of Washington, so Glenn's book was a bit repetitive. But, I will say, while Chernow's book was a beast and 960 pages (although thorough and complete), Beck's book will give you the leadership highlights of Washington's life in 250 pages - interspersed with Beck's own observations on these actions.

I liked that it really pulled the highlights of Washington's career - his honor, integrity, commitment to the revolution, perseverance and belief in God. I didn't like...more

like · see review

Feb 11, 2012 Jamie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: people who hated history class but love our country

Shelves: military, non-fiction

This book is part-history, part-self-help/motivational, part-adventure. It tends to blur the line a bit between history and non-fiction novel.

The good thing about reading a history book like this is that it is nowhere near as boring as a text book from a history class in grade school or college. It's a quick read, you'll learn some new things, and you'll retain more because it is a chronological narrative (i.e., the connections from one point to another are easily made and kept in your mind).

The...more This book is part-history, part-self-help/motivational, part-adventure. It tends to blur the line a bit between history and non-fiction novel.

The good thing about reading a history book like this is that it is nowhere near as boring as a text book from a history class in grade school or college. It's a quick read, you'll learn some new things, and you'll retain more because it is a chronological narrative (i.e., the connections from one point to another are easily made and kept in your mind).

The bad thing is: it's a quick read. Since you'll be done reading it quickly, you'll feel like stuff has been left out (something, perhaps, that your history teacher would have gone on about for days but would have bored you stiff).

It should also be noted that this is not, strictly speaking, a history book or straight biography. As I said before, it is part motivational reading. Every other chapter is Glenn's interpretation of what you just read in the previous chapter and how it relates to our times and to the person reading the book (i.e., "lessons to learn from this"). Even if you agree with Beck, it can make the book feel, at times, like an after-school special or a "one to grow on" PSA in the middle of Saturday morning cartoons.

That said, it'll whet your appetite to learn more about Washington, the founding of our country, and the people involved - much like when you first meet someone and start dating them to get to know them better. However, I imagine most of the other books about Washington (or history in general) may seem even more dry and boring than before - kinda like wanting to know more about your dream girl just to discover that her family and friends are the most lame people in Dullsylvania. This book, her family has interesting stories to tell, but they also get preachy after each story, telling you what they think you should take away from each anecdote they share.

Maybe I'm just jaded by hating history class in high school, only to become really interested in history and politics in my 30s, but that's how I feel about this book. It seems like a great introductory book (perhaps a bit too homiletic), but I'm afraid of being let down by other books.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Feb 01, 2012 Lance rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was given this book as a Christmas present. Given my previous encounters with Beck's work, I don't know that I had any high expectations of what I would find. I find that the more I listen to Beck the more I disagree with him.

That being said, there are some things in which we do agree, and one of them is that George Washington really was an indispensable man because he had virtue. Beck's book is an examination of the life of this man and how virtuous thought and action made this man what he re...more I was given this book as a Christmas present. Given my previous encounters with Beck's work, I don't know that I had any high expectations of what I would find. I find that the more I listen to Beck the more I disagree with him.

That being said, there are some things in which we do agree, and one of them is that George Washington really was an indispensable man because he had virtue. Beck's book is an examination of the life of this man and how virtuous thought and action made this man what he really was. And the book describes various episodes in the life of Washington in which those virtues were demonstrated. Beck details events from Washington's life as he tried to join the navy, fought in the French and Indian War, fought again in the American Revolution, struggled with his attempts to avoid involvement as the Articles of Confederation proved ever more ineffective, and as he lay dying in his bed.

Notably absent is a good deal of Washington's administration as our nation's first president. Beck describes the events leading up to the Constitution very well, but then he skips over Washington's administration and goes straight to the review of his farewell address. But most of Washington's life in other time periods is also left out. Washington's first campaign outside Boston is not even mentioned, and his eventual retreat from New York is given a mere reference.

The point of the book is not to detail a biography of Washington but to extol the virtues that made him that man that he was. And I learned some things about Washington's life that I did not before understand. Beck demonstrates with quotes from original sources that Washington believed in God and that the American nation was founded by God; he often referenced the Invisible Hand that guided and preserved him and his fellow patriots. Washington was a razor's edge away from dealing with a mutiny among his own officers, and yet because his exercise of virtue had gained so much trust with his men he was able to speak to them and avert what might have been a real disaster.

The divisive nature of the political arguments in this country are driving us ever further apart. We are fracturing on both sides of the aisle. What I like about Beck's book --- though I don't always agree with him politically --- is that the gulf that divides us can be bridged if we all have virtue, and particularly the same virtues that Washington exemplified throughout his life. It is for that reason that I recommend the book. We can still disagree about policy if are united in virtuous principles, because those principles lived create trust and honor and respect. Take those away and you get what we have today, rhetoric that is not only divisive but outright hateful. The best way to proclaim peace is to proclaim virtue, and Beck shows by using the life of Washington as an example that the best way to proclaim virtue is to live it.
(less)

like 1 like · see review

Jan 10, 2012 J rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Each of Glenn Beck's books are so different, it is hard to believe a same man wrote them. Maybe he relies on ghost writers?

The language was unsophisticated in a bad way - grammatically correct perhaps, but awkward. I also find it off-putting when biographers use the first person to insert their own beliefs, opinions and interpretations into a work supposedly about someone else. Beck does this constantly throughout the book. Apparently, this book is "teaching" us how to be like George Washington...more

like 1 like · see review

Dec 22, 2011 Dick rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a historic novel and as such needs to be read with a grain of salt. There is a lot of narrative with many quotes - far too many for me to check out. he thing that this book does is take Washington off a pedestal and make him a person like you and me. Washington had many faults and short comings like any of us. He has been scrubbed and cleaned up over the years to make him almost pristine. Pristine, he was not.

He had a temper as a young man, but learned to overcome and control that. He lo...more

like 2 likes · see review

Apr 13, 2012 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you think this is a history book, you're very wrong! Beck highlights major events in Washington's life, putting the reader into the action in first person, as if you're experiencing that moment yourself: intense battle scenes, excruciating heartbreak upon being betrayed...everything. The book read like an historical action novel, but with Beck's self-help advice added in here and there. The whole premise of this book is to see George Washington more intimately - the youth he was, the young ad...more If you think this is a history book, you're very wrong! Beck highlights major events in Washington's life, putting the reader into the action in first person, as if you're experiencing that moment yourself: intense battle scenes, excruciating heartbreak upon being betrayed...everything. The book read like an historical action novel, but with Beck's self-help advice added in here and there. The whole premise of this book is to see George Washington more intimately - the youth he was, the young adult, the celebrated, regal General of the Continental Army, and the stoic, wise leader of our country - and try to be like him through his life lessons learned.

I loved it. But I loved it because I believe Washington was prepared and ordained by powers from on high to be the one to lead our patriots to victory, to accomplish what had never been done before, to not only give years of his life to military service, but political service as well, lest our country destroy itself in the infancy of its freedom. And he did all this in his own humble, quiet, unassuming way. Had his character or virtues been any different, we may have been speaking with English accents today. Believe what you will - the facts are there, and I choose to see heaven-sent miracles (through Washington's humble guidance) that led the way for our country's freedom.

(I did feel that Beck should have at least cited some historical references - for such detailed dramatic narratives, I'd love to see where he got such information. I'm sure he took some fictional liberties, but dates, times, people, places, and personal accounts couldn't be ignored. Sources??)

I truly enjoyed learning these lessons Beck gleaned from Washington's life - lessons the great (but human!) man himself learned: (if you want to know what events led to these lessons, read the book! you won't be disappointed!)

1. cultivate character - it will garner trust from everyone around you
2. be creative and open-minded - GW was the "melting pot" that became America
3. always be on guard - from greed, and yourself!
4. honor does not waver in the wind
5. be willing to listen to others, even your so-called subordinates
6. no one man can do it all (that's why we need #2 and #5)
7. HOW you win matters just as much as the fact that you DID win
8. prepare for your moment
9. embrace our imperfection by constantly searching for truth
10. question with boldness
11. persistance and determination win the day (and the respect of others)
12. don't let the "perfect" be the enemy of the good

If only our country's political leaders could have an inkling of Washington's character and civility! Whether you like Beck or not, his case is put forth - were we (and our country's leaders) more like the man Washington was, we'd be much better off. Read this book!(less)

like 1 like · see review

Feb 25, 2012 Paula rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfic, history-and-politics

This book is a novelization of history. Rather than just sequential action based on facts or at the very least likely facts, we get a lot of fluff and unnecessary interpretations of said facts. The reasoning behind this as stated in the author's note is because Beck doesn't want you to just read about Valley Forge or Yorktown, he wants you to live it. Good intentions, poor execution. And by fluff I mean statements such as: “His chest tightened in frustration. It was becoming a familiar feeling.”...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jun 10, 2012 Bruce Snell rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A biography of George Washington from Glenn Beck - 3.5 stars. This is an interesting history with some fictionalization of conversations to make it more readable. It follows Washington's life from the Revolutionary war, thru his presidency, and on to his death - with flashbacks to his early life so we can see how lessons learned in his youth helped him later in life.

In the end, this is somewhere between a love letter to Washington and a self help book to encourage the reader to be more like Was...more

like 1 like · see review

Jan 27, 2012 Brett Tompkins rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Most of this was very easy to read. I mistakenly thought, before reading, that the entire book was in George Washington's own words. It actually wasn't, so once again we are trusting the author to be providing the correct information. I was actually thankful that it wasn't entirely in Washington's words after finishing. There were quotes from him throughout, and then the last section was 15 pages or so of Washington's words from speaches and letters he had written. It was very difficult for me t...more

like · see review

Dec 31, 2012 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, presidents-project, public-library

I went a little overboard with taking Washington biographies out for the public library. I have 5 large books about certain events and the entirety of a man's life. I have been less than inspired to read some of them: the slow pace of getting through them not necessarily accompanied by a feeling of real learning. If I am to spend time reading nonfiction, I would like to remember the facts that are passing by my eyes.

Being George Washington was written in a format that was far more easily digesti...more

like · see review

Nov 29, 2012 John rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

BEING GEORGE WASHINGTON is a book with an identity crisis--a problem exponentially compounded by the fact that it fails to engage readers on any level. Most of the book is written as a poorly-conceived historical novel--the kind of novel you get when you have a dyed-in-the-wool historian writing it instead of a bonafide novelist. In other words, the "novel" lacks focus, the characters are poorly developed, the dialog stinks, etc., etc. Beck intersperses occasional bits of political commentary am...more

like 1 like · see review

Jan 15, 2012 LeeAnn added it · review of another edition

“Being George Washington” by Glenn Beck
Written as a telling of history from the Revolutionary War through Washington’s death, Beck used a chronology of dates, with frequent back tracking to significant points, noting the date and location such events took place. If you follow the timeline it makes sense and brings a fullness to the story he tells.
The moral of the story here is that George Washington was something of a God given instrument for the birth of our nation. He often said, “that doing...more “Being George Washington” by Glenn Beck
Written as a telling of history from the Revolutionary War through Washington’s death, Beck used a chronology of dates, with frequent back tracking to significant points, noting the date and location such events took place. If you follow the timeline it makes sense and brings a fullness to the story he tells.
The moral of the story here is that George Washington was something of a God given instrument for the birth of our nation. He often said, “that doing the easy thing is rarely right, and doing the right thing is rarely easy. “ Building this nation was not easy.
The first three quarters of the book deal with the War and how difficult and almost impossible a feat it was to defeat the British. Basically we could not likely have succeeded had it not been for the French and their support. They only wanted us to succeed because they were also at war with the British. The incredible losses early in the war make it remarkable the Revolution was won at all.
Once the War was won another battle came with building a Constitution and government. Many of the key players did not agree and the battle between small and large states made a bit of lobbying necessary to compromise on anything. Some wanted to name Washington King and even referred to him as “Excellency” against his wishes. Even when he served as President he stepped down after two terms knowing that professional politicians did not serve the country well.
Beck brings forth the point that many want to rewrite our Constitution and make it a “living document” changing with the times. Washington foretold of this desire from the beginning and warned against such as the beginning of the end for the republic. Further the Constitution relies on a moral populace with a belief in God and liberty. It’s also based on a free market economy of honest people. When treachery and deceit reign, the house of honest men will fall into civil disobedience and decay. Further, that career politicians have crippled our government with an elderly and unproductive group living off the public dole and doing little more than showing up to vote their party line.
Many of the founding fathers who played a lesser role in our nation’s formation were exposed in a greater light than most of us had known them from grade school or even college history classes. There were some interesting connections as relationships were built on staying at one another’s homes or sleeping in battlefield tents and sharing scant rations. Even physical descriptions allow us to see Washington towering over slightly built soldiers and commanding with his stature alone.
Although the battles can become a bit tedious they build the story and engage the character of George Washington as an almost angelic force and definitely the most indispensable man in history. Where would we all be if not for his success and where would the world be without America for the last two hundred plus years?
Beck calls out for our country to work toward creating the next George Washington through education, morality, and conscious. At a time when we really need him again, who will be the next George Washington?
(less)

like · see review

Jan 02, 2012 Andrew rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: american-history, informational-read, history, glenn-beck

My rating is more like a 3.5, but Goodreads won't allow that.

I want to start by saying that I am a gigantic Glenn Beck fan. There is a lot of good in this book, and there is some not so good.

I want to focus on the not so good first. This is a history book, and while I trust that Beck delivered a well-researched product, he never proves it to me. There is not one citation in the entire book. For someone that comes under so much scrutiny from the "academic" elite, he's really flirting with a mess...more My rating is more like a 3.5, but Goodreads won't allow that.

I want to start by saying that I am a gigantic Glenn Beck fan. There is a lot of good in this book, and there is some not so good.

I want to focus on the not so good first. This is a history book, and while I trust that Beck delivered a well-researched product, he never proves it to me. There is not one citation in the entire book. For someone that comes under so much scrutiny from the "academic" elite, he's really flirting with a mess here. While I know he wouldn't care, and I don't think the intention of this book is solely historical, my concern is that this will prevent some people from reading this book.

Second, I'm sorry, but if Beck told me one more time how George Washington's actions or decisions were a result of divine providence I was going to scream. I was getting to the point that I thought there may have been a trip to the latrine that was a result of divine providence. Now my conservative friends will excoriate me for this next statement, but I'm not religious, and so I don't believe that any of Washington's actions were a result of God, divine providence, or the Author. I think that they were a result of one of the most amazing leaders to ever walk the face of the Earth. I will accept that Washington drew inspiration from his beliefs and that blind faith into something larger than himself caused him to be as brave as he was, but I don't think the "providential hand of God" had anything to do with the result.

On to the good!

One of the things that is really endearing about this book is the narratives that happen about every other chapter. Instead of writing in the normal non-fiction historical voice, Beck actually turns the most significant events of Washington's life into short vignettes. It is as if you are there experiencing the events as they happen. Of course he took some artistic freedom here and created the dialogue in parts, but I don't think there is any harm in it. It is truly an absolute blast to see this part of history come alive in a third-person narrative voice. For a fan of American history, this is a real plus.

In defense of Beck I don't think this book was created solely as a historical book. I think it is actually intended to be a book that compels people to action. His conclusion is incredible. As Beck so boldly states with the title and introduction he sees himself as George Washington and many Americans are as well. From his conclusion:

"So the real question is this: Are you willing to lose everything to do what is right?

Washington did. He risked it all--his life, his fortune and his sacred honer--to complete a journey that, quite often, he didn't even want to be on. Nothing less of that level of dedication is required of us today."

Sign me up!

(less)

like · see review

Dec 05, 2011 Saqqara rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A very human persona on a man who has become somewhat mythological to American history. The truth is much more interesting. "Being George Wahington" is not only an eye opening experience into the founding of our country but, I dare say, a spiritual opening into what any one person can do.

I note from the book :
pg. 174 It is clear now that Washington's speech before his army in Newburgh stopped what could have been a very dangerous turn of events. That watershed moment proved to be one of those ra...more

like · see review

Oct 03, 2012 Rob Wagy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I finished on a trip I took back to Boston. It was a great read. I had a hard time putting it down.
I am not sure if the author had intended the outcome I received.. but it was good.
I say the tale of two men and their intentions. It then challenged me. What am I intential about. and is my intentions set on helping the generations after me? or is my intentions only about my little domain, heaven forbid.

like 1 like · see review

Mar 02, 2013 Matt rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really liked the book and wish I could give it a higher rating but parts of it were inaccurate and the few sections where G. Beck obviously wrote were mostly annoying. The authors take issue of revisionist history but then practice it! George Washington was the man, perhaps the greatest American but this book made it sound as if he was perfect, we all know there is only one perfect person (me) :)

like 2 likes · see review

Apr 04, 2013 Natalie rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read this for book group and have to say it was not at all what I would have expected. I have read other Beck books so thought I was prepared for the commentary, but really? It was so distracting. The book was not chronologically organized and he jumped back and forth between events...like an old man repeating himself! There were no references so which parts are Beck History and which parts are actual history? Beck tries to prove that anyone could be Washington but the stories of heorism and d...more

like · see review

Feb 11, 2013 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I wish I could give 3-1/2 stars. It took me a while to figure out what I was reading. History? Historical fiction? Motivational book? It's a bit of all of these. This book was good in that it presented Washington as a person, rather than a larger-than-life cardboard figure. He was an amazing person with an amazing determination and sense of honor and duty. I learned a lot about him--and that part of the book is very readable (once you are reminded who the various characters are). This book was p...more

like · see review

Jan 13, 2012 Omar rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

good book, you are put right in the story line, and makes you think emotionally more than intellectually; away that we are not taught to read history.History is life, its not just dates & facts, but of stories, emotions, struggles, conflicts, success. Its a history book that tells certain stories/events of George Washington that have been taken out of modern textbooks, novels, media, school, politics, etc for his reliance of God, for his relationship with his servants/slaves that go contrar...more

like · see review

Feb 09, 2012 Kim rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I grew up knowing that George Washington was a good man. However, I never learned or don't remember much about the Revolutionary War and the mindset of the Founding Fathers. This book is amazing. You don't need to be a Glenn Beck Fan, a Democrat, a Republican, a Tea Party member, or politically affliated in any way to enjoy this book. The author tells stories about major events and decision making moments in George Washingtons life and how his integrity, his thought, his faith, and his patriotis...more

like · see review

Apr 13, 2013 Johnnayea Kennedy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was another bargain book. This book humanized characters that we only know from history books by explaining their stories from a personal level. I got what I set out to get from the book as I learned more about the attitudes of that time and how this nation was formed. The author used a semi-diary format, which created the feel that I was getting information from George Washington himself. However, at times, the semi- diary format could be choppy and so a slow read. If you can get passed th...more

like · see review

Sep 27, 2012 Blair rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Though there may be some who object to the style of the book: it is somewhat historical and somewhat Glenn's comments, the gist of the book is unmistakable: George Washington should be revered as the Father of our Country. I'm not exactly a slouch when it comes to history, but I never knew George Washington was quite as responsible as he was for guiding this country through its infancy both militarily, civilly, and congressionally. If there were ever a need for a man of honor and thought, George...more

like · see review

Dec 25, 2011 Frank rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Book Review: Being George Washington by Glenn Beck

Using a detailed narrative that places the reader in the middle of each scene, Glenn Beck presents a series of vingnettes that brings George Washington to life as a genuine human being, not a marble statue on a pedestal or a stiff portrait from centuries past.

As Beck points out, Washington was a person with the same foibles as the rest of us. He had a hot temper as a young man and spent considerable effort to develop control over it. Later, as a...more

like · see review

May 29, 2012 Jennifer rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was curious to know more about George Washington, but I've found some better books than this for that purpose. Beck's book has some embellished highlights narrated in a casual fashion and then lots of nagging about how we should be more honorable. Honestly, not very interesting or inspiring. Also, he skips around the timeline and doesn't put events in context--I was confused more than once. I've started reading The Real George Washington by Perry, Allison, Skousen, and while written in a simpl...more

like · see review

Dec 06, 2011 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Most of these stories were not new to me as I have studied the life of Washington, but what a wonderful reminder of a great man. It is written in such a way as to compare our times with his and to help us determine what we can do to be more like him.

like 1 like · see review

Mar 13, 2012 Patty rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The content of this book references a better history book, "The Real George Washington." While some of the material in Glenn Beck's book is interesting and not well known to the American public, about a third of the text is given to name-calling and too much emotional manipulation. The book encourages everyone to follow the example of George Washington, which is an admirable thing to do, but the President was not a name-caller. The story also leaves out the facts that Martha Washington (Patsy) c...more

like 1 like · see review

title link	preview: Being George Washington: The Indespensable Man, As You've Never Seen Him
avg rating	preview: Being George Washington: The Indespensable Man, As You've Never Seen Him Goodreads rating: 4.01 (1100 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12620023-being-george-washington?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344663771l/12620023.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12620023-being-george-washington?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Being George Washington: The Indespensable Man, As You've Never Seen Him by Glenn Beck[/url]

Being George Washington: The Indespensable Man, As You've Never Seen Him

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (7)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Glenn Beck

Books by Glenn Beck

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Being George Wash...