POTOMAC SQUIRE

by Elswyth Thane ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

The popular Williamsburg novels have indicated Elswyth Thane's absorption in the area which provided George Washington with the Tidewater background of his chosen way of life- that of a Virginia farmer and gentleman, a burgess concerned in his country's welfare. Against this setting she has written a vigorous and very human biography, one that brings George Washington to life as virtually no other biographer has done. Interestingly enough, she has succeeded in doing this largely through his own words, letters, bits of the diary, contemporary records and chronicles. He emerges as always, larger than life, but no plaster saint, immense in his vision, his understanding, his compassion; warm in his concern for the young people for whom he assumed responsibility; the slaves- whom he always called ""his people""-under his care, the many who appealed to him for help. But he had his moments of anger- indignation- or simply normal irritability; he was harassed endlessly over money matters; he made no bones over his desire to stay out of the public eye, to be a country gentleman instead of a commander in chief or a president. This is not a wounded biography but precisely what the title indicates, George Washington as a ""Potomac Squire"".

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Duell, Sloan & Pearce

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1963

Categories: NONFICTION