The History Book Club discussion
This topic is about
Washington
PRESIDENTIAL SERIES
>
WE ARE OPEN - WEEK ONE - SPOTLIGHT - Presidential Series - WASHINGTON, A LIFE - September 26th - October 2nd - Author's Note - Prelude - Chapters ONE through Chapters FIVE - XVII - 62 - No Spoilers, Please
date
newest »
newest »
message 51:
by
Kristen
(new)
-
added it
Oct 02, 2016 07:53PM
Hello, this is Kristen from Camano Island, Washington State. I did not post on the intro thread, so this is my short intro here. I don't have a very strong grasp of presidential history, which is why I'm so intrigued to read Chernow's Pulitzer-winning account of Washington. I started a bit late so I'm just through chapter 1. It's interesting to me how his was not raised in an atmosphere of privilege yet he sought knowledge and learning through is own means. Perhaps his achievements and ambitions in life, despite not being one of the core group of distinguished intellectuals of his time, is one of the reasons he has always seemed more approachable to me as a historical figure.
reply
|
flag
Mod
I think he understood both worlds - the world of the Fairfax's and the world he knew growing up especially after his late father passed away. I think he always wanted more - to be more - to achieve more.
Mod
Mod
Discussion Questions:
1. According to Chernow, what was George Washington's relationship with his mother? I often wonder when reading these accounts whether the fact that George's father had passed away that it made it tougher for the widowed mother bringing up an ambitious younger son. She must have had to be both a mother and a father which is always a tough role.
2. What did you think of Mary Ball Washington's advice? As a parent did she have a point?
3. In what ways were Mary Ball Washington and her son temperamentally similar and how were they different?
Other:
1. How did George Washington regret his educational background as a young man and throughout his life? What regrets did the author express?
2. How does Ron Chernow depict John Adams and what did author reveal was his relationship with George?
3. What were some of the activities that George relished as a young boy - were there any surprises?
Mod
Lawrence Washington (1718 - 1752)
Lawrence Washington (1718–1752) was a soldier and prominent landowner in colonial Virginia. As a founding member of the Ohio Company of Virginia, and a member of the colonial legislature representing Fairfax County, He also founded the town of Alexandria, Virginia on the banks of the Potomac River in 1749.
Washington was the older and beloved half-brother of George Washington, the future President of the United States. He was the first of the family to live in the Mount Vernon estate, which he named after his commanding officer in the War of Jenkins' Ear, Admiral Edward Vernon.
More:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrenc...
Ann Fairfax
Hi All:Raced through this wonderful work. It was a riveting read for me and I am sure it is a brilliant one volume biography of George Washington (from herein "GW"). But having a few days to reflect on it I am still curious about GW's early upbringing. Specifically, with more precision and depth how and who influenced his sterling character to become the stalwart he was. Also, a bit "spotty" was his relationship to Adams; just not developed and explored to my satisfaction. Two gigantic insights for me though, were his anxiety over slavery and his perpetual financial woes. A more minor insight was the "prickly" relationship he had with his mother (although the way Chernow portrayed her was not sympathetic). Perhaps a third insight: the antecedents of the civil war were brewing and GW was prescient in seeing them. I was reinforced, from other reading, about what a slippery cad President Jefferson was. And my esteem for Madison was tarnished a bit. Isn't it touching to learn how almost all GW's relationships with the other prominent Virginians became frayed?
I am so glad this book was picked though. It was rollicking good read and now I can't wait to tackle his Hamilton treatise.
Carol wrote: "Bentley wrote: "Very interesting Carol - I found this article in the Chicago Tribune from 1988 which discusses the eye color of our presidents - the article is titled - "The Eyes Have It"http://a..."
The eye color thing really struck me and I started looking around. It appears Carol has got it. According to some of the articles I read (and I can't vouch for the truth of any - they're hard to find on eye color), prior to the twentieth century, blue eyes accounted for about half of the population. It does seem to track with immigration, too. After 1900, America starts to get many immigrants from other areas of Europe where brown eyes predominate. I think the continued preference for blue or light eyed presidents (20 out 0f the last 25) works the same way that height did for ancient kings. People subconsciously attribute superior qualities for taller people. Maybe blue eyes give a more compelling, piercing look that people associate with intelligence?
The portraiture is interesting too. It was serious business back then and people dressed in their finest and maintained a sober, reflective pose. There were no candid or unflattering shots of presidents. In today's world, we see them sometimes at their worst or goofiest looking. The picture of Michael Dukakis in a tank during the 1988 campaign may have actually cost him the election.
The most outstanding event to me so far was the incident at Jumonville. I didn't know anything about it or that it was so pivotal in precipitating the French and Indian War. It's really the equivalent for that war of "the shot heard round the world" and Washington was the key figure involved. He became a figure of great importance, as seen later on, at such a young age.Pamela,, I like your point that portraiture was so important. Certainly we see our current leaders at their worst sometimes now. I'm sure we might have a less exalted view of Washington if we could see a picture of him on his horse in battle with cushions strapped on to ease his hemorrhoids.
Mod
Raced through this wonderful work. It was a riveting read for me and I am sure it is a brilliant one volume biography of George Washington (from herein "GW"). But having a few days to refl..."
Hello Garth - no real big spoilers here but be careful - we have assigned reading so that we can discuss the book together so be mindful when posting of the pages that have been assigned for each thread and keep popping into the thread and take on some of the discussion questions. That is the most fun.
Mod
I had to delete your post because this is a non spoiler thread and that personage was not discussed during these pages but you can post on the spoiler threads any of those comments - this happens to be a non spoiler thread.
Mod
Very true Pamela - I think it did.
Mod
Laurie you paint a vivid picture in one's mind that we would have liked to avoid seeing - I think delicacy in the media is a lost art.
Laurie wrote: "The most outstanding event to me so far was the incident at Jumonville. I didn't know anything about it or that it was so pivotal in precipitating the French and Indian War. It's really the equival..."Oh Laurie, it will be years before I stop seeing Washington on that horse now!
Pamela wrote: "Laurie wrote: "The most outstanding event to me so far was the incident at Jumonville. I didn't know anything about it or that it was so pivotal in precipitating the French and Indian War. It's rea...";)
It is so good to be reading about our first president. I too was surprised to read about his relationship with his mother. He started off his life with all kinds of battles with his relationships and his military career. I am getting a good picture of his early life. I definitely like Chernow's writing style.I read another book about George Washington and his greatness described in the book by David McCullough, 1776., one of my favorite writers.
by
David McCullough
Bentley wrote: "Portrait of George Washington:This portrait by Charles Peale Polk - I saw this weekend a copy at Morven in Princeton. The original is at the Met in New York.
George Washington at Princeton by C..."
This portrait seems like a photograph to me too. It does have an appeal to it.
Mod
Hi , let me introduce myself again. My name is Nina, I live in Kansas. I have always loved history, and read as much as I can. I am excited about being able to discuss this book with others reading it too! I am new to the club so I hope I do this right. I was interested to read on
page 11; that "The hypercritical mother produced a son who was overly sensitive to criticism and suffered from a lifelong need for approval."
And then later on page 56; Washington tells his brother Jack to search around and "If gentleman seemed inclined to support him,'you then may declare my intentions and beg their assistance. If, on the contrary, find them more inclined to favor some other, I would have the affair entirely subsided."
It fits what was earlier said. That he only wanted a seat in the House of Burgesses if people were agreeable. He wasn't about trying to argue why they should be for him.
I am enjoying the book so far.
Mod
Hi All - I am Vincent from New York City and a regular if slow reader of history for the past ten or so years - previously mostly fiction - alas. I am regularly reading with HBC for a few years now and although Bentley's absence was not a positive thing generally I got some more casual reading done.
I am finding this book very interesting but I am a bit behind and have not looked at all the links embedded in the comments but would say that I am impressed with the presentation.
I just finished Chernow's Titan - the biography of John D. Rockefeller and must say that the book and style and presentation were incredible. I also found that the chapters really cut the segments into individual parts which I found were best read only one a day allowing for reflection - and maybe like a good meal - digestion.
Hard to understand GW's motivations but easy to see his ambitions to be as "competent - admirable" as his older half siblings and maybe he just had to be self promoting to accomplish what he did.
His ambition is notable but I don't think one will find much of a void of ambition in any of our presidents.
So glad to be here and more to follow - I may make individual notes to your comments going forward.
I would also advise that there is now, for those with geographic accessibility, an exhibition on the Battle of Brooklyn at the New York Historical Society which is really good - in my opinion - and beyond past exhibits there I think more young people friendly. I believe it runs only till early January.
|516888]Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
Ron Chernow
Nina wrote: "Hi , let me introduce myself again. My name is Nina, I live in Kansas. I have always loved history, and read as much as I can. I am excited about being able to discuss this book with others reading..."Hmmm... do you think he only wanted a seat in the House of Burgess if the people we agreeable or maybe only wanted to run if he were more sure of winning?
One other point - I visited earlier this year in spring Fort Necessity and had to then and more now agree with Chernow that the position was not very well chosen or defendable. It is a National Monument or site and open to the Public. Free with a Senior Pass and I think not too expensive otherwise if any cost at all.If one chooses to go it is not so far from the Flight 93 site - also open to the public with a very good presentation of the events of 911.
And not so far from the Jamestown Flood site and things to see.
--------- and just for a reference we went to that part of Pennsylvania primarily to visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water which is a wonderful place and experience -
Vincent wrote: "One other point - I visited earlier this year in spring Fort Necessity and had to then and more now agree with Chernow that the position was not very well chosen or defendable. It is a National Mon..."Hi Vincent, I live in the area you are discussing and would add Fort Ligonier to the list of sites worth visiting. Just fyi, as of October 1, entrance fees to Fort Necessity and the Johnstown Flood Museum have been waived- admission is now free.
Donna wrote: "Vincent wrote: "One other point - I visited earlier this year in spring Fort Necessity and had to then and more now agree with Chernow that the position was not very well chosen or defendable. It i..."Thanks - I will try to remember for trips passing thru the area
Helga wrote: "It is so good to be reading about our first president. I too was surprised to read about his relationship with his mother. He started off his life with all kinds of battles with his relationships a..."I also greatly enjoyed 1776 but I think Chernow's Washington delves much deeper into the personality of Washington.
The History Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. (other topics)1776 (other topics)
The Liberation Trilogy Boxed Set (other topics)
Washington: A Life (other topics)
Washington: A Life (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Ron Chernow (other topics)David McCullough (other topics)
Maya Angelou (other topics)
Rick Atkinson (other topics)
David McCullough (other topics)
More...
