Edward G. Lengel:General George Washington: Ein militärisches Leben von Edward G. Lengel (englisch) Taschenbuch
- Taschenbuch ISBN: 9780812969504
Much has been written in the past two centuries about George Washington the statesman and "father of his country.". Now, in a revealing work of historical biography, Edward Lengel has wri… Mehr…
Much has been written in the past two centuries about George Washington the statesman and "father of his country.". Now, in a revealing work of historical biography, Edward Lengel has written the definitive account of George Washington the soldier. The Nile on eBay FREE SHIPPING UK WIDE General George Washington by Edward G. Lengel Much has been written in the past two centuries about George Washington the statesman and "father of his country." Less often discussed is Washington's military career, including his exploits as a young officer and his performance as the Revolutionary War commander in chief. Now, in a revealing work of historical biography, Edward Lengel has written the definitive account of George Washington the soldier.Based largely on Washington's personal papers, this engrossing book paints a vivid, factual portrait of a man to whom lore and legend so tenaciously cling. To Lengel, Washington was the imperfect commander. Washington possessed no great tactical ingenuity, and his acknowledged "brilliance in retreat" only demonstrates the role luck plays in the fortunes of all great men. He was not an enlisted man's leader; he made a point of never mingling with his troops. He was not an especially creative military thinker; he fought largely by the book.He was not a professional, but a citizen soldier, who, at a time when warfare demanded that armies maneuver efficiently in precise formation, had little practical training handling men in combat. Yet despite his flaws, Washington was a remarkable figure, a true man of the moment, a leader who possessed a clear strategic, national, and continental vision, and who inspired complete loyalty from his fellow revolutionaries, officers, and enlisted men. America could never have won freedom without him.A trained surveyor, Washington mastered topography and used his superior knowledge of battlegrounds to maximum effect. He appreciated the importance of good allies in times of crisis, and understood well the benefits of coordination of ground andnaval forces. Like the American nation itself, he was a whole that was greater than the sum of its parts-a remarkable everyman whose acts determined the course of history. Lengel argues that Washington's excellence was in his completeness, in how he united the military, political, and personal skills necessary to lead a nation in war and peace.At once informative and engaging, and filled with some eye-opening revelations about Washington, the war for American independence, and the very nature of military command, General George Washington is a book that reintroduces readers to a figure many think they already know. FORMATPaperback LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description "The most comprehensive and authoritative study of Washington's military career ever written."–Joseph J. Ellis, author of His Excellency: George WashingtonBased largely on George Washington's personal papers, this engrossing book paints a vivid, factual portrait of Washington the soldier. An expert in military history, Edward Lengel demonstrates that the "secret" to Washington's excellence lay in his completeness, in how he united the military, political, and personal skills necessary to lead a nation in war and peace. Despite being an "imperfect commander"–and at times even a tactically suspect one–Washington nevertheless possessed the requisite combination of vision, integrity, talents, and good fortune to lead America to victory in its war for independence. At once informative and engaging, and filled with some eye-opening revelations about Washington, the American Revolution, and the very nature of military command, General George Washington is a book that reintroduces readers to a figure many think they already know."The book's balanced assessment of Washington is satisfying and thought-provoking. Lengel gives us a believable Washington . . . the most admired man of his generation by far."–The Washington Post Book World"A compelling picture of a man who was 'the archetypal American soldier' . . . The sum of his parts was the greatness of Washington."–The Boston Globe"[An] excellent book . . . fresh insights . . . If you have room on your bookshelf for only one book on the Revolution, this may be it."–The Washington Times Flap Much has been written in the past two centuries about George Washington the statesman and "father of his country." Less often discussed is Washington's military career, including his exploits as a young officer and his performance as the Revolutionary War commander in chief. Now, in a revealing work of historical biography, Edward Lengel has written the definitive account of George Washington the soldier. Based largely on Washington's personal papers, this engrossing book paints a vivid, factual portrait of a man to whom lore and legend so tenaciously cling. To Lengel, Washington was the imperfect commander. Washington possessed no great tactical ingenuity, and his acknowledged "brilliance in retreat" only demonstrates the role luck plays in the fortunes of all great men. He was not an enlisted man's leader; he made a point of never mingling with his troops. He was not an especially creative military thinker; he fought largely by the book. He was not a professional, but a citizen soldier, who, at a time when warfare demanded that armies maneuver efficiently in precise formation, had little practical training handling men in combat. Yet despite his flaws, Washington was a remarkable figure, a true man of the moment, a leader who possessed a clear strategic, national, and continental vision, and who inspired complete loyalty from his fellow revolutionaries, officers, and enlisted men. America could never have won freedom without him. A trained surveyor, Washington mastered topography and used his superior knowledge of battlegrounds to maximum effect. He appreciated the importance of good allies in times of crisis, and understood well the benefits of coordination of ground andnaval forces. Like the American nation itself, he was a whole that was greater than the sum of its parts-a remarkable everyman whose acts determined the course of history. Lengel argues that Washington's excellence was in his completeness, in how he united the military, political, and personal skills necessary to lead a nation in war and peace. At once informative and engaging, and filled with some eye-opening revelations about Washington, the war for American independence, and the very nature of military command, General George Washington is a book that reintroduces readers to a figure many think they already know. Author Biography EDWARD LENGEL is associate professor of history at the University of Virginia and associate editor of The Papers of George Washington. A specialist in military history, he is the author of World War I Memories and The Irish Through British Eyes. Review Advance praise for General George Washington: A Military Life"Although there is no such thing as definitive history, Lengel's book now tops the list as the most comprehensive and authoritative study of Washington's military career ever written."–Joseph J. Ellis, author of His Excellency: George Washington"Historians have long debated George Washington's generalship. Now, armed with many previously untapped sources obtained by the acclaimed Papers of George Washington project Edward Lengel enters the fray with a full-scale biography of Washington the soldier. With a sharp eye for drama, a mastery of detail, and balanced and insightful judgments, Lengel gives us a brilliant and compelling study of the military strengths and weaknesses of the remarkable man who was 'first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.'" –John Whiteclay Chambers II, Rutgers University, editor of The Oxford Companion to American Military History"Ed Lengel knows the Washington military papers as have few historians, past or present. His study of Washington's career as a soldier is a model of clarity and judicious analysis. It deserves a wide readership." –Don Higginbotham, Dowd Professor of History, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill"Lengel has immersed himself in the most important sources bearing on Washington's military life. He has not neglected other primary sources, and he has also used existing scholarship well. The result is a book that covers Washington's military career from beginning to end and offers fresh insights into Washington's role in the American Revolution."–Robert Middlekauff, Preston Hotchkis Professor of American History, Emeritus, University of California, Berkeley Long Description "The most comprehensive and authoritative study of Washington's military career ever written." -Joseph J. Ellis, author of His Excellency: George Washington Based largely on George Washington's personal papers, this engrossing book paints a vivid, factual portrait of Washington the soldier. An expert in military history, Edward Lengel demonstrates that the "secret" to Washington's excellence lay in his completeness, in how he united the military, political, and personal skills necessary to lead a nation in war and peace. Despite being an "imperfect commander"-and at times even a tactically suspect one-Washington nevertheless possessed the requisite combination of vision, integrity, talents, and good fortune to lead America to victory in its war for independence. At once informative and engaging, and filled with some eye-opening revelations about Washington, the American Revolution, and the very nature of military command, "General George Washington", [PU: Quadrangle Books]<
