How did people in our country-North and South; East and West-come to share a remarkably durable and consistent common vision of what it meant to be an American in the first fifty years after the Revolution? How did the nation respond to the problem of slavery in a republic? In the Name of the Father immerses us in the rich; riotous world of what François Furstenberg calls civic texts; the patriotic words and images circulating through every corner of the country in newspapers and almanacs; books and primers; paintings and even the most homely of domestic ornaments. We see how the leaders of the founding generation became "the founding fathers;" how their words; especially George Washington's; became America's sacred scripture. And we see how the civic education they promoted is impossible to understand outside the context of America's increasing religiosity. In the Name of the Father is filled with vivid stories of American print culture; including a wonderful consideration of the first great American hack biographer cum bookseller; Parson Weems; author of the first blockbuster Washington biography. But François Furstenberg's achievement is not limited to showing what all these civic texts were and how they infused Americans with a national spirit: how they created what Abraham Lincoln so famously called "the mystic chords of memory." He goes further to show how the process of defining the good citizen in America was complicated and compromised by the problem of slavery. Ultimately; we see how reconciling slavery and republican nationalism would have fateful consequences that haunt us still; in attitudes toward the socially powerless that persist in America to this day
#195491 in Books Alpha 2004-07-06 2004-08-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.96 x 1.05 x 7.36l; 1.49 #File Name: 1592572405464 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great summary of jewish historyBy Phyllis N.Got logic? Jewish survival defies logic unless you believe in G-d. Rabbi blech does just that. Would recommend to my Christian friends too.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A Joy to ReadBy Dirk J. WillardI read this book because my girlfriend was Irish at the time and they seemed an interesting crowd though she's really a transplant from the southside of Chicago.Although the history is a bit one-side; it was interesting to skim through. As a man with English roots; I was not surprised by reading an Irishman describing the behavior of the English. We; the English should not be too proud of our treatment of the Irish. But; as someone who's family is from Devonshire and Staffordshire; I am quite familiar with the history of the Irish raiding our coastline. They posed a serious threat; in ancient past; and even to this day; so the English dealt with them in the custom of the day: c'est la guerre; so say the French. The author is not resentful but presents the facts honestly and; generously; as you would expect from an Irishman. Obviously; the treatment of Irish during the Great Hunger is not to be excused and many English are rightfully ashamed of this behavior; some are not; as I can tell you from talking to some of my English friends --- old animosities run deep. Again; the author is clear; descriptive and fair.There were lots of side notes that were enough to fill another book. It made for interesting reading. I'll have to try the recipe for soda bread.What was especially charming about this book was the simple language. In the custom of the Irish; it is a good tale.I hope this review is helpful. If it was; please add your vote.Thank you.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy JodiFantastic book!
