He talked about some of the relationships george washington had, including. At least once every generation someone writes another major biography of george washington. A life won the pulitzer prize for biography, and alexander hamilton the inspiration for the broadway musicalwon the george washington book prize. Chernow presents a washington that is both vain yet humble, ambitious yet eager for a private life, desirous of immortal fame yet desperate to retire to his farming. With a breadth and depth matched by no other onevolume life of washington. A life does not fracture the implacable edifice washington constitutes today, but the book does a great deal to humanize exactly which virtues this ambitious virginia planter cultivated on his path to greatness. With a breadth and depth matched by no other onevolume life, he carries the reader through washington. Since winning the pulitzer prize for his new york timesbestselling historical biography, washington. The book is billed as the first largescale, single volume, cradletograve narrative of. Ron chernow, the author, has attempted to tell george washington s complete and complicated life story in a remarkable single volume.
Rockefeller and alexander hamilton, his washington while long, is vivid and well paced. It was the main selection of the bookofthemonth club as well as of the history and military book clubs. Douglas bradburn, founding director of the washington library at mount vernon, had a chance in june of 2015 to sit down with author ron chernow at his brooklyn home. A gripping portrait of the first president of the united states from the author of alexander hamilton, the new york times bestselling biography that inspired the musical. Chernow acknowledges all these interpretations of washingtons life. A life by ron chernow in djvu, rtf, txt download ebook. Chernows longawaited biography of george washington, washington. In this title, the celebrated ron chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of america. A life won the pulitzer prize for biography, and alexander hamiltonthe inspiration for the broadway musicalwon the george washington. To all those who enter the list, it is equally fascinating. A life by ron chernow another example of chernow s brilliance in biographical writing is given in his biography of george washington. An obvious answer is that chernow is no ordinary writer. But because he tends to slide into the biographers quicksand of identifying too closely with his subject, his particular. With a breadth and depth matched by no other onevolume life, he carries the reader through washington s troubled boyhood, his precocious feats in the french and indian wars, his creation of mount vernon, his heroic exploits with the continental army, his presiding over the constitutional convention and his.
Publication date 2010 topics cultural literacy and humanities, reading leveladult publisher the penguin press. Chernow provides a wholey objective and demythologized study of washington, however, he does answer key questions as to why washington attained such an apotheosis in both life and death, he led a ragtag, unprofessional army to a seemingly impossible victory against the greatest power of the day, he resigned his commission and threw away any pretensions of power returning to public service only through popular demand, and he exercised the office of the presidency in a noble, nonpartisan. A life, published in october 2010 by penguin press. Although many others have attempted to tell the story of washington in the past, it has proved impossible to tell everything about the man in a single book. Ron chernow shares surprising facts about george washington washington was the only major founder who lacked a college education. He has written bestselling and awardwinning biographies of historical figures from the world of business, finance, and american politics. Oct 05, 2010 ron chernow is the prizewinning author of six books and the recipient of the 2015 national humanities medal. The celebrated ron chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of america. A life it is the child of avarice, the brother of inequity, and father of mischief. A life was released on october 5, 2010 isbn 9781594202667. I cant recommend it highly enough as history, as epic, and, not least, as entertainment. A life celebrated biographer ron chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation.
It has been the ruin of many worthy families, the loss of many a mans honor, and the cause of suicide. A life just how and why his subject attained such an exalted status. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read washington. A past president of pen america, chernow has been the recipient of eight honorary doctorates. Washington a gripping portrait of the first president of the united states from the author of alexander hamilton, the new york times bestselling biography that inspired the musical. This is the longest singlevolume biography on washington.
A life, by ron chernow, draws on newly unearthed papers and other material to amplify and reshape perceptions of this leaders importance. It won the pulitzer prize for biography 15 16 and the american history book prize. His more recent biography of a founding father, washington. A life won the pulitzer prize for biography, and alexander hamiltonthe inspiration for the broadway musicalwon the george washington book prize. Oct 18, 2019 ron chernow, is the author of biographies of alexander hamilton, george washington and, most recently. With a breadth and depth matched by no other onevolume life of washington, this crisply paced narrative carries the reader through his troubled boyhood, his precocious feats in the french and indian war, his creation of mount. A life won the 2011 pulitzer prize for biography, and alexander hamilton was the inspiration for the broadway musical. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital.
A life does not fracture the implacable edifice washington constitutes today, but the book does a great deal to humanize exactly which virtues this. A life, which ive just finished, does all that and more. Celebrated biographer ron chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation and the first president of the united states. A life is a biography of george washington by ron chernow also the. With a breadth and depth matched by no other onevolume life of washington, this crisply paced narrative carries the listener through his.
His first book, the house of morgan, won the national book award, washington. Chernow draws on the 60 volumes of washingtons letters and diaries as well. Now, before you think this is a book to shy away from a mere regurgitation of historical. Chernows washington, a life october 5, 2010 abigail adams said that simple truth was george washingtons greatest eulogy, and ron chernow proves it in his. Although many others have attempted to tell the story of washington. Ron chernow is the prizewinning author of six books and the recipient of the 2015 national humanities medal. A life by ron chernow hardcover, 928 pages penguin press hc list price. Winner of the pulitzer prize and a new york times bestseller, a landmark biography of george washington. With a breadth and depth matched by no other one volume biography of george washington. A life is acclaimed author and historian ron chernow s most recent book, for which he received a 2011 pulitzer prize. For now though, id like to simply use them as studyguide questions to focus your attention on some of the key topics addressed by chernow.
A life is a biography of george washington by ron chernow. Ron chernow on george washington full interview youtube. Another example of chernow s brilliance in biographical writing is given in his biography of george washington. Its as luxuriantly pleasurable as one of those great big sprawling, sweeping victorian novels. Ron chernow talked about his biography, washington. A life is acclaimed author and historian ron chernows most recent book, for which he received a 2011 pulitzer prize. With a breadth and depth matched by no other onevolume life of washington, this crisply paced narrative carries the reader through his troubled boyhood, his precocious feats in the french and indian war, his creation of mount vernon, his heroic exploits with the continental. Winner of the 2011 pulitzer prize for biography truly magnificent. Ron chernow shares surprising facts about george washington washington was the only major founder. From national book award winner ron chernow, a landmark biography of george washington. A life, ron chernow remains a distinguished commentator on politics, business, and finance. The book is billed as the first largescale, single volume, cradletograve.
The book is a onevolume, cradletograve narrative that attempts to provide a fresh portrait of washington as real, credible, and charismatic in the same way he was perceived by his contemporaries. Along with so many of you, i have spent the past yearandahalf poring over the stories of our. I recently visited mount vernon, george washington. Ron chernow is the prizewinning author of six previous books and the recipient of the 2015 national humanities medal. Rockefeller and alexander hamilton, his washington while long, is. New york times bestselling author ron chernow has gained recent attention for alexander hamilton, the inspiration for the hit broadway musical hamilton. A life is a 2010 biography of george washington, the first president of the united states, written by american historian and biographer ron chernow. In addition to writing awardwinning books, hes a freelance journalist and has advised.
Dec 01, 2011 the celebrated ron chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of america. A life by ron chernow 2010, penguin books kindle paperback. The national book award winner illuminates the life. In this groundbreaking work, based on massive research, chernow shatters forever the stereotype of george washington as a stolid, unemotional figure and brings to vivid life a dashing, passionate man of fiery opinions and many moods.
Now, before you think this is a book to shy away from a mere. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. Now the brilliant biographer ron chernow, author of the national book awardwinning the house of morgan, demonstrates in his magnificently written, richly detailed and always compelling washington. He talked about some of the relationships george washington had, including thomas paine. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. With a breadth and depth matched by no other onevolume life, he carries the reader through washingtons troubled boyhood, his precocious feats in the french and indian wars. Oct 03, 2010 an obvious answer is that chernow is no ordinary writer.
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