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DK Biography
DK Biography: George Washington: A Photographic Story of a Life
George Washington is often called the father of our country. He beat the odds to lead the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War, served as first president of the United States, and then retired from public life to farm Virginia's largest plantation. In this groundbreaking new series, DK brings together fresh voices and DK design values to give readers the most information-packed, visually exciting biographies on the market today. Full-color photographs of people, places, and artifacts, and sidebars on related subjects add dimension and relevance to stories of famous lives that students will love to read. Modern scholarship and a variety of narrative approaches give today's reader a chance to explore the extraordinary world of George Washington. This new way of looking at classic subjects creates a unique reading experience that breathes life into the book-report and summer-reading repertoire. Supports the Common Core State Standards.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 16, 2018
This was fact filled and interesting recounting of the life and times of George Washington... father of our country. Written in simple language, I think it would be a great book for school age children over the age of ten and if course for adults like me that want to get the facts about a great man in American history. It reads fairly quickly, I finished it in a day.
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May 24, 2014I cannot tell a lie: growing up in Washington State, we learned next to nothing about the British Colonial era (as opposed to the Spanish colonial era) or the Founding Fathers or the Revolutionary War. And even with what little I know, George Washington has always been the most misterioso of the lot -- probably because he was not much of a public writer. Thus while I was on a recent vacation in New Jersey, which has a lot of Revolutionary War sites, I picked up this short introduction to the father of our country.
To my surprise, I learned that current scholarship suggests that George Washington was successful at very little in his life by our standards! He was by all accounts a devoted stepfather and uncle, constantly seeking to improve the health and wealth of his young charges; and when he was a young man he improved his own position as a third son by working as a surveyor on what was then the wild frontier. But as a military man he lost quite a bit more than he won; as a president -- especially in his second term when he apparently suffered from dementia -- he was constantly under siege by the egos of his cabinet members; and as a husband he was apparently in love with another woman throughout his life plus very frequently absent from his duties at the plantation. The book even describes Washington at one point as "downright whiny"!
But at this point in my life I am far more sympathetic to the power of just showing up -- year after year, often against your personal desires -- and trying your best with what you have. Sometimes success means you just survive, annoy your enemies, and live to see whether another day will bring a shift in the external environment that might be more favorable. Washington was by no means the smartest of the Founding Fathers -- in fact I get a glimmer that he might have been everyone's choice for president partly BECAUSE he was relatively not a big thinker -- but he was unsurpassed in conscientiousness, distaste for pomp and ceremony, and a kind of straightforward sincerity that was sorely lacking in many of the other Founding Fathers. The example that he set in those matters seems to have curbed some of the natural excesses of his cleverer colleagues, many of whom later became presidents in their own right.
To my surprise, I learned that current scholarship suggests that George Washington was successful at very little in his life by our standards! He was by all accounts a devoted stepfather and uncle, constantly seeking to improve the health and wealth of his young charges; and when he was a young man he improved his own position as a third son by working as a surveyor on what was then the wild frontier. But as a military man he lost quite a bit more than he won; as a president -- especially in his second term when he apparently suffered from dementia -- he was constantly under siege by the egos of his cabinet members; and as a husband he was apparently in love with another woman throughout his life plus very frequently absent from his duties at the plantation. The book even describes Washington at one point as "downright whiny"!
But at this point in my life I am far more sympathetic to the power of just showing up -- year after year, often against your personal desires -- and trying your best with what you have. Sometimes success means you just survive, annoy your enemies, and live to see whether another day will bring a shift in the external environment that might be more favorable. Washington was by no means the smartest of the Founding Fathers -- in fact I get a glimmer that he might have been everyone's choice for president partly BECAUSE he was relatively not a big thinker -- but he was unsurpassed in conscientiousness, distaste for pomp and ceremony, and a kind of straightforward sincerity that was sorely lacking in many of the other Founding Fathers. The example that he set in those matters seems to have curbed some of the natural excesses of his cleverer colleagues, many of whom later became presidents in their own right.
September 4, 2020
I’ve read over a hundred books about Washington, and each one I read seems to be, at least in some way, better than the last. The one I’ve just finished is Lenny Hort’s "George Washington: A Photographic Story of a Life." It’s a gem of a book, an excellent introduction to Washington. Here’s what Mount Vernon has to say about it: “A new [2005?] biography of George Washington with more than 100 photographs, artworks, and artifacts. Written with a fresh point of view based on the latest scholarship and including definition boxes, sidebars, and a timeline of events. Appropriate for grade 4 and up. This book is from the recommended George Washington Reading Pin Resource List for Scouts.” And to me, it should be a very worthwhile, enjoyable read, even for Washington scholars!
For purists, there are several issues. Along with a couple typos and a missing sentence, there are a few assertions that have become contentious since the book was published: 1. That Washington added “So help me God” to his oath of office. 2. That Washington was not a military genius. There are several other assertions that I’ve not been able to confirm: 1. That Washington had his hat shot off at the Battle of the Monongahela vs., as Washington himself wrote, having “4 bullets through my coat,” with no mention of his hat. 2. That Washington sold off his Revolutionary War certificates for about a twentieth of their official value.
Any minor problems aside, as a fellow author, I believe the book is an extremely attractive and valuable addition to any Washington library.
For purists, there are several issues. Along with a couple typos and a missing sentence, there are a few assertions that have become contentious since the book was published: 1. That Washington added “So help me God” to his oath of office. 2. That Washington was not a military genius. There are several other assertions that I’ve not been able to confirm: 1. That Washington had his hat shot off at the Battle of the Monongahela vs., as Washington himself wrote, having “4 bullets through my coat,” with no mention of his hat. 2. That Washington sold off his Revolutionary War certificates for about a twentieth of their official value.
Any minor problems aside, as a fellow author, I believe the book is an extremely attractive and valuable addition to any Washington library.
December 31, 2022
George married well, lived a full life, and was loved and admired by too many who also wanted to crash at his pad.
October 21, 2019
-A Leader, Once Convinced That A Particular Course of Action Is The Right One, Must Be Undaunted When The Going Gets Tough
-Every Worthwhile Accomplishment, Big Or Small Has It's Stages Of Drudgery And Triumph; A Beginning, A Struggle And A Victory.
I beg it to be remembered by every gentleman in the room that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I'm honored with.
Yet, having happily assisted in bringing the ship into port, and having been fairly discharged, it is not my business to embark again on the sea of troubles.
No one can rejoice more than I do at every step the people of this great Country take to preserve the Union, establish good order and government, and to render the Nation happy at home and respectable abroad.
Swift On Angel's Wings, The Brightening Saint Ascended.
Crossing The Delaware
Growing Up
The French And Indian War
The Master Of Mount Vernon
Trouble Brews
Revolution
Times That Try Men's Souls
It Will No Be Believed
A More Perfect Union
Mr. President
Second Term
Retirement
Last Battle
The Man And The Monument
TRAVELED TO // Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania
MET ALONG THE WAY // George Washington
April 13, 2022
Not strictly a biography of Washington, this book could be better marketed as "The American Revolution told through Washington's eyes." And what I mean by that is that there were large chunks of the book that barely talked about old George, and instead talked about other historical events that were going on around him. Was it good? Yeah, I found it pretty interesting. But, I was not looking for a book about the American Revolution, but more about the first president. And I think there were other books that did a better job of focusing on him.
May 3, 2020
I can't recommend this series enough!
May 15, 2015
George Washington: A Photographic Story of a Life, is a biography about George Washington. It was written by Lenny Hort. The story manly takes place near the ending of the 19th century, mostly in Virginia, and in the time period of some wars, and on the battlefield of the many wars that George Washington was in. Washington was a great choice for our first president and he was an excellent military leader, he did very well at deceiving the British during the American Revolution.
George Washington was born on February 22, in the year 1732, he was born in Virginia, and he was born into a rich family. Washington married Martha Washington. Martha Washington’s last husband died in 1757, and Martha married George Washington shortly after his death. Washington fought in many wars, including: the American Revolutionary War, The Battle of Long Island, The Battle of Princeton, The Battle of Trenton, The French and Indian War, and many others, making almost 30 important battles for George Washington. George Washington is remembered as the father of our country. Washington famous career began during the domination on the Ohio River Valley. He almost died on the way home from icy waters after he fell out of his boat. Washington set a standard for presidents along the line, he was a good example for a first president.
Washington was born into a rich family in Virginia. In his early years, he was a surveyor. George Washington was elected president of the United States on February 4, 1789. For months, Washington would reject the request of becoming president, but finally, he accepted. John Adams became the first vice president. I think that they chose Washington to be president because of his importance in the American Revolution, his leadership with the continental army, his view on politics, and he was the main person that most people looked up to during the time period. Washington was a part of the first continental congress, but when they made the Declaration of Independence, on July 4th, 1776, he was not able to sign it because he was not there during the time, because instead he had just got to New York to prepare for war against the British.
One opinion I have about our countries father, George Washington, is that I think that he was one of the best leaders of the military that we have ever had. He was more honest than the average leader. Without his skill at deceiving the British, the American Revolution might have failed.
George Washington was in his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia, when he was finding it harder and harder to breathe because they were draining too much of his blood and they were draining it too quickly. That was a medical practice in the 18th century, where they tried to drain the bad blood from a patient. They thought less blood was better. Washington passed away as he was demanding that more blood be taken out of him before his doctor came to check on him. His last words were him saying “More, more…,” as telling them to drain more blood.
Washington was very well known for his military excellence. He was a great man to look up to, and a great role model for everyone across the United States. He was in many wars and skirmishes during his military career, and he always had the intelligence, and strength to come out alive and a better person.
George Washington was born on February 22, in the year 1732, he was born in Virginia, and he was born into a rich family. Washington married Martha Washington. Martha Washington’s last husband died in 1757, and Martha married George Washington shortly after his death. Washington fought in many wars, including: the American Revolutionary War, The Battle of Long Island, The Battle of Princeton, The Battle of Trenton, The French and Indian War, and many others, making almost 30 important battles for George Washington. George Washington is remembered as the father of our country. Washington famous career began during the domination on the Ohio River Valley. He almost died on the way home from icy waters after he fell out of his boat. Washington set a standard for presidents along the line, he was a good example for a first president.
Washington was born into a rich family in Virginia. In his early years, he was a surveyor. George Washington was elected president of the United States on February 4, 1789. For months, Washington would reject the request of becoming president, but finally, he accepted. John Adams became the first vice president. I think that they chose Washington to be president because of his importance in the American Revolution, his leadership with the continental army, his view on politics, and he was the main person that most people looked up to during the time period. Washington was a part of the first continental congress, but when they made the Declaration of Independence, on July 4th, 1776, he was not able to sign it because he was not there during the time, because instead he had just got to New York to prepare for war against the British.
One opinion I have about our countries father, George Washington, is that I think that he was one of the best leaders of the military that we have ever had. He was more honest than the average leader. Without his skill at deceiving the British, the American Revolution might have failed.
George Washington was in his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia, when he was finding it harder and harder to breathe because they were draining too much of his blood and they were draining it too quickly. That was a medical practice in the 18th century, where they tried to drain the bad blood from a patient. They thought less blood was better. Washington passed away as he was demanding that more blood be taken out of him before his doctor came to check on him. His last words were him saying “More, more…,” as telling them to drain more blood.
Washington was very well known for his military excellence. He was a great man to look up to, and a great role model for everyone across the United States. He was in many wars and skirmishes during his military career, and he always had the intelligence, and strength to come out alive and a better person.
January 9, 2016
The most famous person in American history was a great man, but also very flawed. There are so many interesting facts about Washington in this book that I did not know, and the author does not pump him up to be God-like but instead goes through George's most challenging times and lays down the facts for the readers. The illustrations and text features are interesting and provide a reader with key people and places to research as they compliment Washington's life. I like how honestly the book was written!
September 29, 2009
Hey, are we detecting a pattern in the books I'm reading?
This is probably the most detailed information I've read about George Washington. Like the Ben Franklin book in this series, it's a quick read and totally informative. I was reading it to my kids yesterday and they didn't want me to quit. I think we read for an hour and they whined when I said we had to be done for the day.
There's a great discussion in here about the slavery question. It's very thought provoking.
This is probably the most detailed information I've read about George Washington. Like the Ben Franklin book in this series, it's a quick read and totally informative. I was reading it to my kids yesterday and they didn't want me to quit. I think we read for an hour and they whined when I said we had to be done for the day.
There's a great discussion in here about the slavery question. It's very thought provoking.
March 4, 2013
Well written, easy to follow, very informative. Perfect for the Social Studies project my son has to complete. I have to admit, that I too learned a lot about George Washington after reading this book :)
April 19, 2013
I liked this book because I learned a lot more information about him. I just knew that he was the first president in the United States. After reading this book. I can tell there was a lot of hardships in his lifetime. There were wars and a lot of violence
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April 23, 2016This book is about our first president and father of our country. It goes into detail about George Washington's involvement in America's history. It is a book for upper elementary grades. I would use this book to take facts from and use to make timelines.
August 1, 2008
Great kid's summary of George Washington's life. The more I learn about him, the more I like him. :)
November 28, 2013
Good book!
August 26, 2016
Very opinionated children's biography. I won't let my daughters read it.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews