George Washington, Frontiersman

by Zane Grey

A new Zane Grey novel

But even more thrilling is that Zane Grey chose for the central character of this culminating work the father of our country, George Washington, as a young man on the frontier.

Grey presents the drama of the life of young from his birth to his early surveying trips into the Ohio River Valley and the Shenandoah, to his role in General Braddock's disastrous campaign to wrest Fort Duquesne from the French, to his taking command of the Continental Army in 1775. George Washington, Frontiersman is a newly discovered American one of the most popular authors of the twentieth century taking on the story of the father of our nation.

Genres: Historical Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Pearl Zane Grey was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories that presented an idealized image of the rugged Old West. As of June 2007, the Internet Movie Database credits Grey with 110 films, one TV episode, and a series, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater based loosely on his novels and short stories.

Reviews

[Caitlin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was expecting a historic adventure novel, but this is just a 1930s romance with George Washington

[Mark Luongo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first novel by Zane Grey I think that I've read. It happens to be one of his last and is carefully edited ( and completed) by Carlton Jackson, written in 1938 and eventually published in 1994. I wonder how I could have missed his work? One note of interest, the words "Injun", "darkie", "nigger" and "redskin" are used frequently. Hey, it was written in 1938! I remember the complaints that occurred when "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was assigned.
I particularly enjoyed the weaving of historical figures into the story especially when it was possible that Washington himself met and interacted with many of them. Obviously Grey takes a bit of literary license with this but it is done well. Christopher Gist, Daniel Boone, Lew Wetzel, the Zanes (Grey himself was a descendent), Patrick Henry, Half King, and Edward Braddock all figure prominently.
Washington's relationship with the outdoors and how it helped him develop and appreciate the American character is explored here as well. Grey also, and I found this very interesting, has Washington experience what amounts to "PTSD" after Braddock's defeat on the Monongahela and is rescued by none other than Martha Custis.
I enjoyed it and someone may accuse Grey of creating a George Washington "Superhero." But read it for what it is and have a good time.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical novel based on the early life of George Washington. It starts with his childhood and continues until just before the American Revolution. It covers his love of the wilderness, facination with the native American tribes, and his early military career.

This is a great story, although a slow beginning, and from what I understand, fairly accurate! Zane Grey brings roughing the outdoors to an almost appealing level. The country comes alive in his descriptions and characters.

I enjoyed the war action the best, but also loved his stand-up character and his very reserved romantic life. A good book if you can find it!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I inherited this book from my great uncle, and my mother-in-law recommended the author, I enjoyed it. It's clean read, historical fiction with romance, a villain, a hero, mixture of cultures and peoples, with a little divine over-ruling. It only covers the first little bit of Washington's life, ending at Braddock's defeat, and covering the rest of Washington's life is only the last few pages. I wish there was a sequel to cover the last half of Washington's life, although for those who want to read more there are two more books on the Ohio Valley about the Zane's (grandparents of Zane Grey). It was a fun read, and gives you a good feel for what early America was like, and how people like Washington came to be.

[Audrey K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story of George Washington as a young man - a surveyor, and an interesting account of his role in General Braddock's campaign against the French over Fort Duquesne

[Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

History book with a story. Makes you proud of our founding fathers. A must read