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Overview
George Washington dominated his era like few other Americans. Yet the complexity of the historic events he was involved in and the sheer magnitude of his correspondence—the most voluminous in colonial America—can be overwhelming for researchers.
The goal of this volume is to make the larger-than-life figure of George Washington accessible to modern researchers. In its 200 entries readers will discover a detailed and surprising portrait. Washington was not a cold, aloof, and unknowable man, but was extremely convivial by nature; a general who commanded the Continental army without pay but was a better administrator than military strategist; a man of deeds whose appearance was, according to one contemporary, "truly noble and majestic;" a man known to his contemporaries for his complete honesty.
Synopsis
This encyclopedia offers an A-Z retrospective of George Washington's life, career, and historical significance, based in large part on Washington's own words and those of his contemporaries.
Library Journal
In approximately 200 articles ranging from one paragraph to several pages and covering everything from John Adams to the Whiskey Rebellion, Grizzard (political science, Middle Tennessee State Univ.) gives us anyone, anyplace, or anything at all relevant to George Washington. Each of the alphabetically arranged entries includes the topic or name, the date, the significance to Washington, cross references to related entries in the book, and a short bibliography; sometimes, extensive background information is given that thoroughly explains the topic's place in Washington's life. Grizzard ranges widely, offering entries that include a four-page article on the Marquis de Lafayette, one of Washington's trusted friends; a three-page article on Charles Lee, who was court-martialed under Washington; and treatments of Mt. Vernon and the Natural Bridge in Virginia, which Washington is believed to have referenced in several letters. Selected writings, a chronology, and lists of family members, the military officers with whom he served, and the executive officers during his presidency round out the text. More than a companion for those reading about Washington's life, this work is also an interesting and sometimes detailed reference work on Colonial and Revolutionary America. Recommended for all academic and most public libraries. Grant A. Fredericksen, Prairie Dist. P.L., Metamora, IL Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.\