The Making of George Washington

by William H. Wilbur

Vintage paperback

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love George Washington, always have, but this author's blatant sexism and racism are staggering and cast a dark shadow on the entire book.

For example:

"Perhaps the most important factor of this fine home was Mary's (George's mother) cheerful acceptance of her husband's leadership."

"The conjunction of August's calm deliberate strength and Mary's cheerful acceptance of his authority, provided a most propitious combination..."

I am slack-jawed and stunned to see 5-star reviews -- from women, no less.

And I haven't even gotten to the racism yet:

"The Negroes were happy; true they had to work considerably harder, but they appreciated the smooth, confident supervision, the stability that firm direction gave them."

Wow. I'm mean, just wow.

Let's forget the deeply offensive nature of this for a minute, and just analyze it from a strictly journalistic perspective.

How in the world could this author ever know anything about the emotions and disposition of Negro slaves in the 1730s? From what records is he drawing to conclude that enslaved human beings were "happy" and "appreciative" of their slave master?

Seriously? 5-star reviews?

"The Negroes were happy..."

Jeepers. William H. Wilbur deserves to be enslaved so he can experience -- for the sake of integrity in journalism -- just how happy and appreciative he'd be.

George Washington was a great man. William Wilbur is a sexist and a racist who has no business writing biographical books.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was informative, I learned a lot of history from it.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to read this in school. Every mention of it I found in my high school diary merely mentions that it is an awful book and I don't like reading it and I was so glad when it was done.

From what I remember, I thought it was too simple a book for a 17 year old to be reading and I thought it was ridiculously biased to the author's opinion that GW could do no wrong. Plus the endless discussions we had in school that said GW could do no wrong. I thought the cherry tree chapter was a bit ridiculous.

That being said, I have read the other reviews people have given to this book. It seems to be well-liked. I know my teacher LOVED it. I think it's hard to still like a book after being forced to study it in-depth for a semester. If I read it now without the veil of high school being dropped over it, maybe I would rate it higher. It apparently was not the book for me at that time in my life.

[Sue Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago I met the author of this book. He was a Briadeer General and a great man. Wanting to know what went into the making of the great character of George Washington, he spent years researching his childhood, and wrote this amazing book. He told me he wrote it "because the world needs Washington again." I have never forgotten that, and have since read other excellent books about him. There are many today, that are full of lies and half truths. This book is the best introduction to learning about Washington that has ever been written. It is available through Patriotic Education and is in a new format. This photo is from the origninal book. In a time when our country is changing in unhappy ways, this book is a bright light. Sue Maxwell

[Jorgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The complete guide to character building. Want to know what made George Washington the great leader he became? This book takes you though the very earliest years of influence up until his involvement as Commander in Chief. Not a history book of the Revolution, but rather a history of Washington's education, family (especially his father), relations, a bit of the colonial culture and politics. An intimate story.

Unfortunately the author takes too many liberties in assuming emotions, experiences or conversations Washington "most probably" had in the moment, but he makes up for it with careful research in order to disclaim any unfavorable "rumors" about Washington and with his tangible respect for the Father of our country.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Respectful, thorough, scholarly probing of the forces that shaped George Washington's character, morality, integrity, leadership, and commitment to limited government. Made me ache for men like this to be fostered and in power today....... Julie Bartlett recommended this to me long ago. I see why. Also, a very good example of the profound, nation-changing impact of a boy day-in, day-out time with his father, being proactively shaped by him, as opposed to the boys of today who are shaped by the forces that have most of their time: school and culture.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were many obscure facts about George Washington I hadn't found in any of the other biographies I read. As this was an older book, it had no revisionist leanings whatsoever and focused on the greatness, virtue and character of America's greatest patriot.

It was story-like and easy to read. I would recommend as a beginning primer to George Washington, perhaps before reading the much bigger volume done by Cleon Skousen "The Real George Washington."

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, written in the 70's is a bit hard to find. I loved finding out that George Washington & Abraham Lincoln were the same height! There were a lot of sacrifices that Washington made that I didn't realize. There are a few spots were the author takes liberties with conversations etc that I don't feel are documented, but a great overview of the life of our amazing 1st President.

[RoseAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the influences that contributed to the great charactor of George Washington. It looks into his life from birth to age 20. It briefly touches on the accomplishments of later life, but it's unique from most of Washington's biography by really looking at how he was raised and the characteristics of his parents and older half-brothers.

[Kursten · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was wonderful to learn more about his childhood and how the decisions he made while young really made a difference as he grew older. I liked how the author included the 110 rules of civility, we discussed them in class. However, I did think the author was judgmental at times especially of George Washington's mother.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it with my 13 year old - a bit dry for him, though I found it interesting. However, fact and fiction become a little fuzzy in this particular work, leaving the reader thinking certain fictional events really took place.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

No wonder Washington achieved all that he did. With the upbringing and education described in this book, we should all strive to be more like him. Lots of words of wisdom and quotable quotes. Great for teen boys and parents of boys... or anyone.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Barbara for telling me about this book. I looked it and ordered two books that Wilbur mentioned about George Washington. I should of read this before I had children, I think I would have done a better job developing my children. Great man, President Washington

[Jayci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book and that it was interesting to my husband when he was a young boy. There are lots of valuable teachings in here to teach my own children about how to be an honest and trustworthy, hardworking person. I hope I took enough notes in this.. :)

[Tianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, you should read it!

[Winnie Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Could also double as a child-rearing handbook.

[M D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and educational, but fairly elementary - would work well for a younger reader.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read. I loved learning about his childhood and what contributed to the man he became. This is a book to read more than once and one that my kids will be required to read for hs.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this three and a half stars. It kind of rambled some times, but it had good information.

[Nickie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did care for this book. Seemed like a lot of assumptions of his childhood based on how he acted as an adult.

[Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this book gave a lot of detail in the childhood of George Washington. Although it does seem to sort of be 'praise for George Washington'.

[April Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, I had a little trouble getting into this book at first. Not because it wasn’t well written—it definitely was and held my attention—but because it wasn’t what I was expecting. Suffice it to say, the title is completely appropriate—it truly is about the MAKING of George Washington. And had I began the book with that in mind, I would have expected nothing less than how the book was laid out.

The majority of the book deals with his training and upbringing and rightly gives credit to his father, mother, and older half brothers who assisted him with his education, taught him character, and shared their faith in God. All very important and clearly foundational to what led into the life a very great man.

The part I was looking forward to—his adulthood where the foundation of our country began—came in the latter part of the book, and it did NOT disappoint! Very vital information given on his leadership, his modesty, and his determination to build a great land of freedom.

Like most biographies, when not autobiographical, the author tends to make George Washington out to be perfect. He adds a sentence or two in a couple of places briefly mentioning his flaws, but otherwise cites him more highly than I’m sure the man himself would have appreciated. However, if you read with the mindset that most biographers write of people whom they highly respect—their heroes, if you will—then this will be no surprise to you and does not detract from the value of the book.

The author clearly did an excellent job in his very thorough research, taking his time with the writing to get it right. And perhaps what I like best of all is his passion to discredit false statements and writings made against our great first president. This is certainly needed today!

All in all, it was an excellent, educational read! Definitely recommend!

[Cassondra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not read this book. Go read Being George Washington by Glenn Beck. This was so painful I couldn't finish. It is full of speculation, often arriving at conclusions that will frustrate a critical thinker. In addition, it is laced with degrading sexism and racism on the part of the author.

Chapter 27 presents a story & conversation between George Washinton and his older brother. The footnote reads, "Although (this experience) is not based on any recorded historical source material, we are certain that some such conversation must have occured." This honestly sums up the entire book.

[Kristopher Swinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its defects of subtle racism and somewhat more blatant sexism, with too stern a picture of child disciplining yet supplying good argument for veering back in that direction, are all that stand in the way of 5 stars. I want my children to understand and emulate Washington as otherwise offered.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on George Washington’s childhood. It’s nice to learn and remember how full of integrity he was in every aspect of his life

[Dale Stringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! After reading this I have a new hero. This book inspired in me a new feel of patriotism and a deep sense of where our country must return. Thank God for General Washington!