George Washington: A Life in Books

I read this book to help update my own book on George Washington's Liberty Key. I found Hayes went way beyond what I had learned about George Washington's library in Harrison's "A Powerful Mind: The Self-Education of George Washington." Included were many interesting things of which I was not previously aware: eg, Washington set 19 April 1783, the eighth anniversary of Lexington and Concord, as the official end of hostilities with the British. I found it curious, though, that Hayes mentions Washington's "running" for president. Some historians insist Washington didn't "run for president," he "stood for president." I noted also that Hayes had Washington passing "toward eleven" (pm, 14 December 1799). Most authorities I've read have Washington passing "between ten and eleven pm," with Tobias Lear's letter implying Washington died close to 10:20 pm. Interestingly, this is the time registered on the "Death Clock" (provenance missing) at George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Bottom line, though, great book! Check out one of William J. Bahr’s books: George Washington's Liberty Key: Mount Vernon's Bastille Key – the Mystery and Magic of Its Body, Mind, and Soul , a best seller at Mount Vernon.

A brave and new approach to writing about Washington based on his books, read and collected as well his writings. The sources used by Professor Hayes are both unique and compelling. Just an overall fabulous book.

So here you are, reading a book review about a book about the history of George Washington’s books. It’s hard to get more meta than that. In all seriousness, though, this was an interesting angle for a history/biography about the first president of the United States. Working roughly in chronological order, Hayes takes us through the library at Mount Vernon. We start with Washington’s earliest books (collections of devotions by famous preachers), and move from there to travel guides, reference books, abolitionist tracts (though he regrettably never used his considerable political influence to address the injustice of slavery, in his personal dealings Washington was an abolitionist), popular fiction, and military books. Hayes introduces us to a man born in the American colonies, and denied a “proper” English education. In order to compensate for an education he perceived as lacking, Washington would embark on a lifetime quest of self-improvement. He actively sought out books to deepen his understanding of the physical, spiritual, and literary worlds. His passion for books and for reading would remain undiminished throughout his life. George Washington has deservedly been the subject of countless biographies. Approaching his life from the direction of his library is both refreshing and educational. While some of the conclusions the author draws based on the content of the Mount Vernon library shelves seems a bit reaching, on the whole this is a fascinating look at one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Very well-written book with lots of new information about a subject much covered already in prior history books. To some extent a pretty comprehensive tour of 18th Century English language publications popular in the colonies.

This was a gift for a friend who loves Washngton. This book gave him several more reasons.

you love books, if you love history, this extraordinary new book by Oxford University Press George Wa shington A Life in Books by Kevin J.Hayes is for you. And it can be a beautiful Christmas' Gift as well. This one is more than a biography; it is a literary trip following the entire existence and...library of beloved President George Washington. Of course a lot of people, authors published books about Washington. Why Hayes thought at this special topic? Because once, during a vacation in Australia when some people he met along his way asked him some questions of this President, Hayes didn't know what to tell them. He didn't remember a lot about him, after all. The genesys of this book is this one. Written with great gusto, love, passion, the reader will remain captivated till the last page by the story of this soldier and man of letters. In particular if in love for books, in love for reading. The life of President Washington became difficult once his dad died. He studied privately and in a local school, but without to attend the exclusive british school of his siblings. He started soon of falling in love for books and books brought him in lands he didn't know for sure. He fell passionate of poetry, travel-writers as Defoe, but also of all the works by Stevenson with Robinson Crusoe. He loved reading The Spectator and as writes brilliantly at the end of chapter three the author: "The men Washington met and the those he read about in his teens would significantly shape the man he would become." Washington met along his way people who would have helped him to build his culture, putting at his disposition their libraries. He loved to travelling and let's say that his first trip alone has been an adenture surrounded also by fleas and unexpected and unwanted guests. He preferred spending his time outside during the night with the rest of his friends. Once Lawrence Washington, his second dad, and brother died, and a place left vacant, Washington accepted a mission for trying to diplomatically speak with the french for the Frontier and in that occasion, exploring the wilderness of the territory he wrote a journal. This journal became a real success and was published pretty soon. The vastity of culture of Washington was remarkable, and later, during a fight against french another letter he privately wrote was published. The future statist, a soldier, was also intrigued by garden and agriculture's books. Washington would have expanded this passion and this section of his library during his entire existence. Washington would have transmitted love for culture and books to his nephew as well, trying to avoid in the case of Jacky (and Patsy) Curtis the problems and deficiences of his own education. Latin, Greek, the Bible, stimulating reading and what it was necessary was offered to them. He would have followed his nephew till the end of his studies, with intense exchange of letters with his tutors and teachers, because sometimes Jacky problematic. Once Revolution was over literature became a crucial point for American culture and George Washington encouraged the expansion, publication of new authors, understanding the power and beauty of good literature and books in general. Beautiful cover. Highly recommended. I thank Oxford University Press for the physical copy of this book.

This is an excellent book that provides a completely different perspective on the life of George Washington. Exceptionally well written and filled with wonderful details about Washington's intellectual life, it is highly recommended.

Is it possible to study a man's life by analysing the books he read and collected throughout his life ? The author proves in this book that it is not only possible but also a most interesting and unique way to study a great life. This is a very strange but absorbing read and I really appreciate the amount of research that has gone into this work. We emerge not merely gaining knowledge of the reading habits of one great statesman but also with a considerable increase in our knowledge about the times of early American history. Extremely well done !