Professor ellis talked about his book his excellency. The character of thomas jefferson, which won the national book award. Nov 01, 2004 so, too, was the regal general who insisted on being called his excellency and who lost more battles than any victorious general in modern history, but who also surrounded himself with the most intellectually sophisticated collection of statesmen in american presidential history and forged a republic. Digital rights management drm the publisher has supplied this book in encrypted form, which means that you need to install free software in order to unlock and read it. George washington kindle edition by ellis, joseph j download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. This book is an excellent place to start and an easy read. Excellency george washington by joseph ellis, first. Although it dutifully recounts the events of washingtons life, its primary focus is on unpacking his. Both physically and politically, washington towered over his peers for reasons this book elucidates. Drawing from the catalogued washington papers at the university of virginia, joseph ellis follows washington from his military career through his years as president. On october 26, 2004 pulitzer prize winning historian joseph elliss latest work, his excellency, george washington, was released. George washington written by mark s on april 9th, 2007. It was written by joseph ellis, a professor of history at mount holyoke college, who specializes in the founding fathers and the revolutionary and federalist periods.
He is unsuccessful in his initial strategy for the war of independence, losing almost every engagement fought against the british and their prussian allies. Elliss book, his excellency george washington, ellis tells about washingtons life. The author of seven highly acclaimed books, joseph j. George washington by joseph j ellis online at alibris. Even when ellis sums up an important battle in a paragraph, he. Analysis of the book his excellency george washington. George washington in 2004, he had already produced several popular books about early american history. George washington, pulitzer prizewinning historian joseph j. He talks about the events that took place inbetween his childhood and the revolt against great britain.
A revisionist life of the founding father, motes and warts and all. Ellis paperback book, 320 pages see other available editions description the author of seven highly acclaimed books, joseph j. To his excellency general washington is a 1775 poem written by phyllis wheatley, the first female africanamerican poet to have published work. Back to top rent his excellency 1st edition 9781400032532 today, or search our site for other textbooks by joseph j.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read his excellency. His excellency is yet another biography about the foremost founding father george washington. National bestseller to this landmark biography of our first president, joseph j. The book manages to entertainingly retell a story about a person known to everyone, while simultaneously describing a personality known to few. George washington creates a compelling portrait of one of the most idealized heroes of american history, and it does so while remaining readable. As commander of the continental army, george washington united the american colonies, defeated the british army, and became the worlds most famous man. In fact, he was a mortal man serving as an officer and a statesmen, during the creation of an historic new nation unlike any other the. To his excellency general washington summary supersummary. His excellency the most indepth analysis of george washington. Ellis brings the exacting scholarship, shrewd analysis, and lyric prose that have made him one of the premier.
Nov 08, 2005 looking for something more in depth, i am now reading washington, a life by chernow. Find his excellency george washington by ellis, joseph j at biblio. Ellis looks at the life of one of americas founding fathers george washington. His excellency is a full, glorious, and multifaceted portrait of the man behind our countrys genesis, sure to become the authoritative biography of george. National bestsellerto this landmark biography of our first president, joseph j. George washington is a 2004 biography of the first president of the. Professor joseph ellis talks about his book his excellency. George washington joseph ellis sets out to make george washington, the person we think of as an icon, into a real person. Excellency george washington by joseph ellis, first edition abebooks.
George washington never does chop down a cherry tree only to proclaim to his father he could not tell a lie nor throw a silver dollar across the potomac river. Phillis wheatleys poem to his excellency general washington is as unique as the poet herself. Ellis wished to address what he terms our patriarchal problem with washington, a. So many students today see george washington as a memorial, a monument, a face. His excellency a landmark biography of the most important and perhaps least understood figure in american history that brings our countrys first president to life in all his full complexity. Ellis examines the myths and realities surrounding our nations first president. Professor joseph ellis talked about his book his excellency.
Anyone familiar with joseph elliss writtings will not be dissappointed with this biography. Jan 23, 20 exellencyhis excellency book outline paper in his excellency, george washington, joseph j. Then, reflecting on the book he has so recently completed, ellis says, i hope his excellency gives you a sense of the character of this person both as a public figure and as a human being. Joseph ellis, his excellency, george washington, 2004 ellis bestselling biography of washington, based primarily on a close reading of washingtons papers, is short, readable, and insightful. In a historical profession that is scornful of what it calls dead white males, joseph j. Explaining his greatness is a minor historical industry because, unlike his great contemporaries, george washington rarely explained himself. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. Training his lens on a figure who sometimes seems as. Everyone knows george washington as the first president, but most people do not know his other roles in the creation of the united states of america. The poem was sent to george washington, the newly appointed commanderinchief of the armies of north america, in october of 1775, well before american independence was declared in 1776. His excellency is a full, glorious, and multifaceted portrait of the man behind our countrys genesis, sure to become the authoritative biography of george washington for many decades. No stranger to scandal himself, ellis founding brothers, 2000, etc. For me, this book really shed some light on why he was such a pivotal leader in american history. Ellis is undoubtedly a thrilling narrative of an impressive biography and a delightful read for those willing to be introduced into the life of the father of our country.
Ellis wished to address what he terms our patriarchal problem with washington, a tendency to split him into cartoon images of saintly hero or imperialistic villain. To this landmark biography of our first president, joseph j. Excellency george washington by joseph ellis, signed abebooks. The author explained washingtons position on several issues, including expansion and slavery. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading his excellency. His excellency, is the name washington is addressed as by his officers and men. It is also about 12 the lengthj of the chernow book, so start there. George washington audiobook by calista mccabe courtenay in this biography for young people, calista mccabe courtenay takes the reader from george washington the surveyor to his early military. This is a more detailed look, but i might not have read it without starting on his excellency, george washington. Ellis is a wellknown author and history professor focusing on the revolutionary era.
Author joseph ellis attempted to distinguish this work by focusing on the mans illusive character. Ellis has crafted a landmark biography that brings to life in all his complexity the most important and perhaps least understood figure in american history, george washington. In this followup to his bestselling founding brothers, ellis offers a magisterial account of the life and times of george washington, celebrating the heroic image of the president whom peers like jefferson and madison recognized as their unquestioned superior while acknowledging his alltoohuman qualities. His excellency is a magnificent work, indispensable to an understanding not only of its subject but also of the nation he brought into being. George washington is a 2004 biography of the first president of the united states, general george washington. In the preface to this ambitious and largely successful biography of george washington, joseph j. His excellency is a more intimate biography of washington than many previously written, focusing as much on the subjects character as on his career. An excellent and unabridged narration of his biographical account of a well known founding father. His excellency george washington by ellis, joseph j.
This is a great introduction to washington scholarship, and an even better portrait of a complex man. It helped me understand the feel of the american revolution better than anything ive experienced. Michael pollan has a way of encouraging us to reclaim our independence and. About his excellency the author of seven highly acclaimed books, joseph j. The conquests and failures in battle and his achievements as president have been brought out in a way no historian has been able to capture previously. It was sent to george washington just after he was given the post of commanderinchief of the armies of north america. Having lost his father early and having attained only a gradeschool education. Ellis sets the tone by calling his subject americas greatest secular saint and the foundingest.
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