The True George Washington

The...idea of fairness - that the faults as well as the virtues of popular heroes should be known, and that we shall love them none the less if we know their blemishes - pervades his biographies of Franklin and Washington. Mr. Ford had a passion for historic truth, and it was characteristic that his first-published biography should have the title 'The True George Washington.' Apart from his novels and his biographies, Mr. Ford did a great deal of investigation of original sources of history, writing of monographs, editing special editions of political writers (notably an edition of the works of Thomas Jefferson), and a large amount of historiography and bibliography of great use to other scholars." -The Outlook "Portrays America's hero as a man rather than as a demigod. With phrases and sentences of his own construction the author has skillfully interwoven quotations from Washington's writings and from other sources, which, combined, furnish authoritative information on the private and social life of Washington." -The Chautauquan "Among the surprises of the book is the appearance of Washington as a successful business man....He has taken off the halo which Washington has worn for a century or more, and while he leaves him in the hearts of his countrymen, he lets his countrymen see him with the naked eye....He has succeeded in humanizing Washington, and in making him an individual rather than an historical figure. So far as possible, in the present work, Washington has been made to speak for himself, in the hope that his own words will convey a better sense of the personality of the man; and Mr. Ford sums up his case by expressing his own pleasure that the result of his study has only served to make Washington seem the greater to the naked eyes of Mr. Ford himself....The book is well made, and it exhibits care and patient research in every line." -Harper's Magazine "Mr. Ford's book is not a biography, but a series of chapters, drawn in a large measure from Washington's own writings and from those of his contemporaries, describing Washington in the various aspects of his public and private life and personality. The result is exceedingly interesting....some of the chapters are really illuminating." -Book News CONTENTS I.--FAMILY RELATIONS II.--PHYSIQUE III.--EDUCATION IV.--RELATIONS WITH THE FAIR SEX V.--FARMER AND PROPRIETOR VI.--MASTER AND EMPLOYER VII.--SOCIAL LIFE VIII.--TASTES AND AMUSEMENTS IX.--FRIENDS X.--ENEMIES XI.--SOLDIER XII.--CITIZEN AND OFFICE-HOLDER