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First in Their Hearts: The Life of George Washington
For many people, George Washington is the most legendary figure in American history. His contribution to his country’s struggle through years of revolution has given him a place of honor on everything from Mount Rushmore to the dollar bill. But who was George Washington? What was the man behind the legend really like?
New York Times bestselling author Thomas Fleming discovered that finding the truth was no simple matter. Opinions of the man varied sharply. Some historians made him seem more like a god than a man. And there were writers who made up moralistic fables about him, such as the cannot-tell-a-lie tale of chopping down the cherry tree.
Fleming decided that the best way to discover the real George Washington was to read what the men and women who knew him said in their letters and journals. Fleming also read all he could find that Washington wrote to his friends and relatives. Slowly, the remarkable person behind the legend emerged.
In this book, anecdotes from friends and enemies alike give a firsthand vision of Washington’s character. Little-known and colorful incidents – from Washington as an untutored boy of eleven to the seasoned general and statesman he grew to be – make First in Their Hearts fascinating and memorable reading.
New York Times bestselling author Thomas Fleming discovered that finding the truth was no simple matter. Opinions of the man varied sharply. Some historians made him seem more like a god than a man. And there were writers who made up moralistic fables about him, such as the cannot-tell-a-lie tale of chopping down the cherry tree.
Fleming decided that the best way to discover the real George Washington was to read what the men and women who knew him said in their letters and journals. Fleming also read all he could find that Washington wrote to his friends and relatives. Slowly, the remarkable person behind the legend emerged.
In this book, anecdotes from friends and enemies alike give a firsthand vision of Washington’s character. Little-known and colorful incidents – from Washington as an untutored boy of eleven to the seasoned general and statesman he grew to be – make First in Their Hearts fascinating and memorable reading.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1967
About the author
Thomas Fleming
127 books156 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Thomas James Fleming was an historian and historical novelist, with a special interest in the American Revolution. He was born in 1927 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of a World War I hero who was a leader in Jersey City politics for three decades. Before her marriage, his mother, Katherine Dolan Fleming, was a teacher in the Jersey City Public School System.
After graduating from St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, Fleming spent a year in the United States Navy. He received a Bachelor's degree, with honors, from Fordham University in 1950. After brief stints as a newspaperman and magazine editor, he became a full-time writer in 1960. His first history book, Now We Are Enemies, an account of the Battle of Bunker Hill, was published that same year. It was a best-seller, reviewed in more than 75 newspapers and featured as a main selection of the Literary Guild.
Fleming published books about various events and figures of the Revolutionary era. He also wrote about other periods of American history and wrote over a dozen well-received novels set against various historical backgrounds. He said, "I never wanted to be an Irish American writer, my whole idea was to get across that bridge and be an American writer".
Fleming died at his home in New York City on July 23, 2017, at the age of 90.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Thomas James Fleming was an historian and historical novelist, with a special interest in the American Revolution. He was born in 1927 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of a World War I hero who was a leader in Jersey City politics for three decades. Before her marriage, his mother, Katherine Dolan Fleming, was a teacher in the Jersey City Public School System.
After graduating from St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, Fleming spent a year in the United States Navy. He received a Bachelor's degree, with honors, from Fordham University in 1950. After brief stints as a newspaperman and magazine editor, he became a full-time writer in 1960. His first history book, Now We Are Enemies, an account of the Battle of Bunker Hill, was published that same year. It was a best-seller, reviewed in more than 75 newspapers and featured as a main selection of the Literary Guild.
Fleming published books about various events and figures of the Revolutionary era. He also wrote about other periods of American history and wrote over a dozen well-received novels set against various historical backgrounds. He said, "I never wanted to be an Irish American writer, my whole idea was to get across that bridge and be an American writer".
Fleming died at his home in New York City on July 23, 2017, at the age of 90.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 28, 2020
Living in South Africa I knew very little about George Washington and this book gave an ideal overview of his life and it was interestingly written and well researched. Very much to be recommended
August 10, 2020
Outstanding!
I completely enjoyed this well written and easy to read book about President Washington. I especially enjoyed reading about his difficult relationship with his mother, his temper (who knew) and his humility. I wish we were blessed with his integrity in today's Washington, D.C.
I completely enjoyed this well written and easy to read book about President Washington. I especially enjoyed reading about his difficult relationship with his mother, his temper (who knew) and his humility. I wish we were blessed with his integrity in today's Washington, D.C.
August 8, 2020
The life of our first President is written with thoughtfulness of the inner man. A leader with empathy towards mankind friend or foe. A good read to find the truth about what kind of man led America forward to become the United States.
November 24, 2022
It has been surpassed by Ron Chernow's biography of George Washington but it's a good place to start, especially for a younger reader.
July 19, 2014
I have always enjoyed reading Thomas Fleming and this book is no exception. At 111 pages, it is a quick read. I have previously read biographies of George Washington and this particular selection filled in some of the blanks for me.
"First in Their Hearts: The Life of George Washington" reveals Washington as an ordinary man in extraordinary times. It shares his early years and some of the struggles he encountered in his relationships at home and those he interacted with in his position of general and later as our first President. I learned more about the person of George Washington, the cunning insight he had when dealing with his enemies as well the flaws in his character that he struggled to change in order to become the man the country needed him to be.
His love of country is the single thread that is woven throughout this account of his life. It is what compelled him to leave his family, his business and his home in order to serve the struggling young nation that came to be known as the United States of America.
His unselfish spirit is clearly seen as he allowed his business to falter realizing no profit during the eight years he served his country. Prior to his service, he had built a very prosperous business and had a good life as husband and step-father to his two children at Mt. Vernon where he called home.
He always seems to have been pushed to the front of the struggle to a place of leadership where his loyalty for his home and his love of country warred against each other. But each time his desire to serve in the leadership position to form a country built on the idea that man could rule himself won out. He knew he was part of something that had never been done before and we now know has never been done since.
Reading "First in Their Hearts: The Life of George Washington" makes me yearn to see great men of our country in the place of leadership once again. Men who sacrificed everything and refused payment for their services other than a reimbursement for their expenses; great statesmen instead of career politicians, men whose love of country and concern for its people exceeds selfish scratching and clawing to reach the pinnacle of power, prestige and influence. Where are those people? Maybe books such as these can inspire them to come forward so our nation can be great once again. We can hope.
"First in Their Hearts: The Life of George Washington" reveals Washington as an ordinary man in extraordinary times. It shares his early years and some of the struggles he encountered in his relationships at home and those he interacted with in his position of general and later as our first President. I learned more about the person of George Washington, the cunning insight he had when dealing with his enemies as well the flaws in his character that he struggled to change in order to become the man the country needed him to be.
His love of country is the single thread that is woven throughout this account of his life. It is what compelled him to leave his family, his business and his home in order to serve the struggling young nation that came to be known as the United States of America.
His unselfish spirit is clearly seen as he allowed his business to falter realizing no profit during the eight years he served his country. Prior to his service, he had built a very prosperous business and had a good life as husband and step-father to his two children at Mt. Vernon where he called home.
He always seems to have been pushed to the front of the struggle to a place of leadership where his loyalty for his home and his love of country warred against each other. But each time his desire to serve in the leadership position to form a country built on the idea that man could rule himself won out. He knew he was part of something that had never been done before and we now know has never been done since.
Reading "First in Their Hearts: The Life of George Washington" makes me yearn to see great men of our country in the place of leadership once again. Men who sacrificed everything and refused payment for their services other than a reimbursement for their expenses; great statesmen instead of career politicians, men whose love of country and concern for its people exceeds selfish scratching and clawing to reach the pinnacle of power, prestige and influence. Where are those people? Maybe books such as these can inspire them to come forward so our nation can be great once again. We can hope.
October 10, 2007
BORING!!!
November 12, 2013
Learned many things about our first President that I did not know.
March 7, 2014
Different view of George Washington.
October 28, 2014
Good overview of the life of George Washington. Not an in depth look at our first president but still an enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews