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Citizen Washington
by
William Martin (Goodreads Author)
THE MAN
In bloody battles on the western frontier he lost more often than he won. In love, he was drawn to another man's wife. He wanted to be rich, but first he had to become free. And in the heart of a most extraordinary age, the citizen named Washington became a symbol for his people, his time -- and forever...
THE LEGEND
William Martin brings to life the flesh-and-bloo...more
In bloody battles on the western frontier he lost more often than he won. In love, he was drawn to another man's wife. He wanted to be rich, but first he had to become free. And in the heart of a most extraordinary age, the citizen named Washington became a symbol for his people, his time -- and forever...
THE LEGEND
William Martin brings to life the flesh-and-bloo...more
Paperback, 680 pages
Published
January 1st 2000
by Warner Vision
(first published January 1st 1999)
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I got this at a museum bookstore, (was it Valley Forge?) and it was a great find. Told from the perspective of several people in George Washington's life - his personal slave, an early rival, his wife and a couple others, it is a unique look at a familiar character. I found it very interesting and an informative and enjoyable read.
This is another great blend of fact and fiction giving us George Washington, the young man trying to find his way in the world, the young officer blindly leading a militia against the French and the Indians, the young statesman realizing that the yoke of the British must be cast aside, the more established soldier as General of the Continental Army, the president of the Constitutional Congress uncovering how the new nation was to be governed, the first president feeling his way with dignity and...more
I thought this was a really interesting take on Washington - it was historical fiction - (although fact filled ) portraying him through interviews with different people in his life - from the viewpoints of slaves - his wife - political friends and enemies - Native Americans - many perspectives - no matter if his life was shaped by circumstance or choice - it was an important in shaping our country - an wonderful take on Citizen Washington - the man who would not be king.
I really enjoyed this book. I wouldn't go out of my way to read a book about Washington, but for the fact that I enjoy William Martin's books so much. Citizen Washington didn't disapoint at all. I had read a book not too long ago about the Founding Fathers, so I was somewhat familiar with Washington's bearing and people's perceptions of him...that he didn't say a lot, listened much....and it was all about his reputation, and honor. The book is well written with characters that you care about. I...more
It is scary to me how much of my reading seems to be tied to movies and tv ;D I've had this book a long time, and I always get it out and read it around the 4th of July. This time I was watching "John Adams" on HBO, and since the docudrama is really crap, I got this book out again to read and make me feel better. An exceptional novel, much of it is historically based, and is in a format that really makes the people and history of our country come alive. Each section is narrated by someone who kn...more
A wonderful historical novel that tells the story of our first president without making him as grandious and un reachable a figure as so many others have. Citizen Washington is an apt title as it paints George Washington the citizen, the farmer, the husband and father well before the president and through the eyes of those around him. Friends and foes.
Creatively written life of George Washington told by a cast of mostly real characters of history. He was a man of honor, duty and strength of character. He saw the cecessity of action and carried it through to the end. He never quit. I especially enjoyed Part 5: The President and the Precedents. He was the First and it mattered!
Loved this novel about George Washington. William Martin uses the letters and interviews of the people that knew and worked with Washington to tell a story of the man. I have always enjoyed reading about our first president and this historical fiction gave a snap shot of Washington that I found interesting. The format of this book worked extremely well for me.
This novel is a story of Washington told from the perspective of several characters who each have a distinct voice, so it rarely drags like some historical novels can do. It's one of maybe three books that everyone in my family has read and liked.
Loved this book. Loved the topic, the history, the fiction, the narrators. Wish there was a book like this about Jefferson and Lincoln. Just great. Very readable. Thank you William Martin for such an interesting treatment of American history.
A fun, simple, and easy book to read. The writing may not have been William Martin's best, but readers looking for the human size of George Washington will find it in this book.
An interesting look at the life of George Washington from a number of different perspectives. I wish, as I do with all historical novels, that I knew what was truth and what fiction. Definitely made me think about GW in a whole new way. But the ending - really???
Mar 10, 2013
Phyllis Fredericksen
added it
An okay book. A picture of Washington through the eyes of different characters, some real, some fictitious. An early Martin book, and not as good as his others.
Very engrossing, a must for all historical buffs. Very readable for an action guy like me.
A truly excellent alternative history of GW. For me, the best of Bill Martin's books.
I think this is a great book. I feel like I actually know George Washington.
Great book about George Washington, painless history.
Fascinating and well written.
Only a few chapter in and I am really enjoying it! The words and images just flow by. This looks to be a very enjoyable book.
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Very well written. An easy and fun read. I don't think I have ever read a book written this way. Washington is described through the eyes and opinions of others. You never "hear" his side of things only his reactions to others or their memories of his words and actions. I may keep my eyes open for more books by William Martin.
- Leelan
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Very well written. An easy and fun read. I don't think I have ever read a book written this way. Washington is described through the eyes and opinions of others. You never "hear" his side of things only his reactions to others or their memories of his words and actions. I may keep my eyes open for more books by William Martin.
- Leelan
Very good
interesting to me because its a fictional version based on fact of how George Washington the man was. Not the war hero, not the president, but the man. as a husband, as a father, as a farmer. from different points of view, including from a slave, a fellow soldier, his wife, his kids...great book. again though, there is some strong language and some allusions to sex. again, I appreciate it for the more wholesome parts of the story.
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I enjoyed this book. It is the first time I've read a book about such a powerful founder of America. The book is narrated by a young reporter. He interviews many people who have been in Washingtons' life from the day he was born to the day he died. It is a collection of recollections from each person. This man fought tooth and nail for the Independence, Liberty and Freedom of America.
I thought it was great. I felt like I had gotten a sense of the man and why he was as great a figure as he was.
I loved the history that came to life in this novel. I loved it, but the language is crude and distracting at times. But the I loved the way the story of George Washington is told. It is amazing what a great man he really was. Not perfect, but perfect for the role he played in history. We are lucky we didn't end up with a dictator. Awesome book, but beware of the language.
Citizen Washington was excellent. I strongly recommend it.
Good book. Great historical novel.
I really enjoyed seeing George Washington through the eyes of some of the people closest to him: officers in his army, his wife, his alleged love interest, his slaves, etc. Very interesting read, and a nice mix of history & fiction.
I think it's going to be awhile before I read a book as enjoyable as this one. Mount Vernon is one of my favorite places in the U.S. and I hate having to leave it again. This book makes me long for it even more.
A bit of a different approach for William Martin, but very well done. The idea of having an actual reporter interview Washington's contemporaries is excellent. Enjoyable and informative.
This was a fun historical novel written about George Washington's life. Each chapter of his life is told from various participants points of view.
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William Martin is a New York Times bestselling author of nine novels. He is best known for his historical fiction, which has chronicled the lives of the great and the anonymous in American history while bringing to life legendary American locations, from Cape Cod to Annapolis. He has also written an award-winning PBS documentary, one of the cheesiest horror movies ever made, magazine articles, and...more
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