Summary Of Inventing George Washington

Edward G. Lengel. Inventing George Washington. New York: HarperCollin Publishers, 2011. 214 pp.ISBN:978-0-06-166258-4 (hardcover)

Inventing George Washington is the stretch of historical events throughout Washington’s lifetime and the way he is depicted by other people. This book describes the myths and different images that other people may not know about George Washington. As the “Father of our Country”, people are curious as to what is true and what is not true about Washington and how he served Americans throughout his time. After his death Americans sought to know more about him in his spiritual life and philosophical views. Washington inspired many people in many different ways, but people wanted to know the “real” Washington. Different
The author does a great job of giving various examples of Washington and how he handled different situations. Lengel describes Washington as a hero and how he affected our nation in a positive way. He also compares the passion to idealize Washington and to understand him and how he really affected our generation. Some writers uplifted Washington, while others wrote about him in a negative way. Some described Washington as “brave, muscular and always getting into trouble.” Others said Washington was a very charming and flirty man. Lengel describes Washington as “the center of controversy” (page 51). All the ladies wanted to get his attention. Washington fell for many different women in his time before Martha. In Valerie Hope’s writings the “The Love Affairs of George Washington,” she wrote; however, “he knew there were plenty of pretty fish in the aquarium and that it would only be a matter of time when he’d make a good catch” (page 67). Lengel’s objective in this book was to portray Washington for who he truly was. Washington in not a mythical god nor is he a scoundrel. Washington was a man with deficiencies, just like us all, but he was also a great leader and
History. In many respects, Washington could be described as the earliest US History. Lengel’s description of Washington depicts a specific era of American History in this book. Throughout American history, religion has been a vital part of the American fabric (as well as world history). Washington’s religious beliefs follow history in that his beliefs were a major part of who he was and how people perceived him. “Immediately after Washington’s death, clergy made exaggerated claims, unsupported by evidence of his Christianity” (page 78). Washington in prayer at Valley Forge is an iconic image for many Americans. Washington was supposedly seen in deep in prayer by Isaac Potts. Mr. Potts relayed this to his Pastor who documented in his journal. This image was later painted by Arnold Friberg in 1976. This image of George Washington gives American Christians an image of hope and belief in Washington as deeply spiritual man. Whether or not Washington was a Christian is unknown. “Thanks in large part to Washington’s own efforts- he concealed his inner feelings from everyone, except perhaps Martha- we can never really know exactly what he did or did not believe about God” (page