“The only Washington biography you need.â€â€”Wall Street Journal As editor of the award-winning Library of America collection of George Washington’s writings and a curator of the great man’s original papers; John Rhodehamel has established himself as an authority of our nation’s preeminent founding father. In this “crisply written; admirably concise; and never superficial†biography (Fergus M. Bordewich; Wall Street Journal) Rhodehamel examines George Washington as a public figure; arguing that the man—who first achieved fame in his early twenties—is inextricably bound to his mythic status. Solidly grounded in Washington’s papers and exemplary in its brevity; this approachable biography is a superb introduction to the leader whose name has become synonymous with America.
#735115 in Books 2014-09-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.25 x .77 x 8.45l; #File Name: 0300208626280 pages
Review
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful. Keep it off the coffee table!By M. FeldmanThis beautiful book; lavishly illustrated and engagingly written; is; I fear; going to fall into the wrong hands. Why? It looks like a so-called coffee table book (lush photos; oversized format). It would be a shame if it ended up on; well; coffee tables; to eventually be covered with old magazines or used as a handy coaster or; in better circles; to perform a merely decorative "house beautiful" function.It deserves to fall into better hands; specifically those of your favorite vegetable-growing friend or relative. Plenty has been written about Monticello; its architecture and beautiful grounds. This book is about Thomas Jefferson's vegetable gardens.Might you be interested in what varieties of lettuce Jefferson grew? What sort of insects attacked his crops? How he saved seeds and swapped them with his neighbors? Then this book is for you. You may never live in a house like Monticello; but you can put its vegetable varieties on your table.The book is divided in two. The first half focuses on Jefferson's interest in gardening and the development and restoration of the Monticello gardens. It presents a well-researched look at the state of American horticulture in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The author; Peter Hatch; Director of Grounds and Gardens at Monticello; also pays homage to the African-American slaves whose labor built Jefferson's gardens and whose own garden plots often supplied the big house.The second half is a detailed look at many of the vegetables grown in the gardens; including cultural information. It is here where Jefferson's passion for experiment becomes clear. He was always trying new seeds; such as varieties of corn brought back by the Lewis and Clark expedition. His frustrating experiences with melon growing will be familiar to anyone who has tried. This section is organized by botanical families.Finally; there is a good index; an extensive bibliography; and a guide to sources of heirloom seeds. It's a lovely book; you can't go wrong.M. Feldman2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Rich Spot Of EarthBy sandra jewellHaving had the privilege of hearing Mr. Hatch lecture; I had to have his book. He gave a great talk with with a slide presentation and discussionof what is shown in the book. Anyone interested in our history will love it.19 of 20 people found the following review helpful. A new and entrancing look at Thomas Jefferson's wisdom and garden enthusiasmBy Anne from CTRecommended for its forward thinking and ideas far ahead of the times; this is a delightful book full of useful and fascinating information from this incredible Renaissance man of our very own US of A--Thomas Jefferson--what an enquiring mind and how very wonderful it must have been to have been privileged enough to know him! Many of the suggestions made and horticultural experiments tried are still honored and practiced now--Jefferson was somewhat of a genius! The pictures and story told in this book demonstrating the complete modern revamp ofthe garden to demonstrate the beauty as it was in the past is worth many afternoons of pleasant reading.
