George Washington Remembers: Reflections on the French and Indian War [Hardcover]

Fred Anderson (Editor), Philander D. Chase (Contributor), Don Higginbotham (Contributor), Christine Smith (Contributor), Martin West (Contributor), Rosemarie Zagarri (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 9, 2004

In 1786, George Washington wrote a rare autobiographical account of his service in the French and Indian War. In these eleven pages, Washington relates the compelling narrative of his experiences during the war, including a striking account of the friendly-fire incident at Fort Ligonier in 1758 that ". . . involved the life of GW in as much jeopardy as it had ever been before or since. . . . "

George Washington Remembers presents for the first time in print this extraordinary account that offers a very personal glimpse of a self-reflective leader seldom seen in Washington's other writings. The reproduction is accompanied by an annotated transcription of the piece and original essays that place the work in the context of the French and Indian War and Washington's life.

Lavishly illustrated, this remarkable book is essential for all interested in George Washington and our nation's founding period.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Here we have the only known personal memoir Washington ever wrote. Moreover, it represents his attempt to recall those early years before his reputation had hardened into a marble statue, when he was still a visibly ambitious young man with rough edges and discernible doubts about his future. (Ellis, Joseph J. )

We most often think of the mature George Washington, our nation's first President, and forget that he had to grow into the role. This volume allows us a glimpse of the young Washington, in his own words, serving a dangerous apprenticeship as a soldier in the French and Indian War. The hard lessons he learned helped him to become the indispensable leader of the Revolutionary United States. It is a portrait of a great man, reflecting on his past and its possible meanings. (Clinton, Hillary Rodham )

Those who are interested in George Washington and Early American history will find this remarkable book to be indispensable. George Washington Remembers draws on the only autobiographical account left by Washington, a brief statement in which he describes his military service during the Seven Years' War. Washington's account is of crucial importance to those who wish to understand this complex man, as it opens a rare window onto his views and psyche, and how he saw his role as a soldier for Virginia. Readers will also be treated to thoughtful essays by distinguished historians who interpret Washington, his times, and his autobiographical remarks. This book is a rare treat and a must-read for those who wish to understand George Washington. (Ferling, John E. )

To have George Washington's first-person account of his role in the French and Indian War is, indeed, a red letter day for American history. Given how rarely Washington wrote about himself, this document is a major addition to our nation's archives. But remember, however lacking his performance might have been that day in July, 1754, he was only twenty-two years old. (Roger Mudd )

As one of the millions of Washington's admirers, I was thrilled to read his own personal account of the great events of 1754–1758. By the age of twenty-six Washington had already made an impact on history. His recollections of those events, recorded at the end of the American Revolution, are remarkable.

(John S. D. Eisenhower )

George Washington Remembers not only gives insight into the great man himself, but also enlightens the reader on the methods of modern historical study and presentation. (Post and Courier )

George Washington Remembers presents for the first time in print this extraordinary account that offers a very personal glimpse of a self-reflective leader seldom seen in Washington's other writings. (New England Antiques Journal )

The book offers a reproduction of the entire manuscript 'Remarks,' as well as original essays by top Washington scholars. (Antiques and The Arts Weekly )

A book of essays centered on Washington's never-before completely published account of his early life and of his role in the French and Indian War. (Sunday Pittsburgh Tribune )

George Washington left the only known account of his life intended for his biographer, trusted friend, and former aide-de-camp, Lt. Col. David Humphreys. It concerned his French and Indian War experiences. . . . New insights are to be found in this concise but well-written study by six Washington scholars and conservation experts. . . .This monograph will appeal to readers interested in the life of George Washington and the French and Indian War. (The Journal Of America's Military Past )

About the Author

Fred Anderson is professor of history at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He is the award winning author of Crucible of War: The Seven Years War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754–1766 and A People's Army: Massachusetts Soldiers and the Society in the Seven Years' War. He lives in Boulder, Colorado.

French & Indian War 250, Inc. is a group representing the primary sites associated with the French and Indian War. Its members seek to raise awareness of the war and its significance to our region and nation.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (February 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742533727
• ISBN-13: 978-0742533721
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,503,093 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The hand of Providence acting in our time, April 21, 2004

By 

Nicholas Westbrook (FORT TICONDEROGA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: George Washington Remembers: Reflections on the French and Indian War (Hardcover)

This richly illustrated and thoroughly documented book preserves and perpetuates George Washington's ONLY autobiographical account: Here he recalls the world war that he started, the war that transformed North America, and created the United States and Canada. "Big picture" historians will delight in the accompanying essays by Professors Anderson, Higginbotham, and Zagarri. Those concerned with historical specificities and historic sites will applaud the thoroughness of annotators Martin West and Burton Kummerow. All of us wanting to SEE the 18th century will appreciate the collection of portraits and maps assembled here. In this volume, the marble Washington morphs back into the real person he once was: a middle-aged man at yet another decisive turning point in his career (the first-ever Presidency lay just ahead) thinking back to his resume-ruining role in the series of disasters launching the Seven Years' War (French and Indian War). What did it all mean? How had he ended up at THIS juncture? In wrestling with this memoir, he comes to understand that he had been preserved by Providence for the enormous challenge ahead. We should all be thankful that he was; and thankful for the guiding hand of Providence that preserved the manuscript and makes accessible this compelling volume.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book of high quality, April 8, 2004

By 

Robert T. Messner (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: George Washington Remembers: Reflections on the French and Indian War (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book of high quality which merits the attention of sudents of both the French and Indian War and George Washington.The many portrait images are clear and sharp. The images of the 11 manuscript pages are not easy to read, but to a large extent this appears to be due to the condition of the document, which is over 200 years old. Nevertheless, it is fascinating to see the actual handwriting of Washington in one of his few autobiographical efforts. The actual content of the manuscript appears in highly readable transcript immediately following the images of the manuscript pages. A preliminary "Note to the Reader" suggests reading the transcript first before attempting to read Washington's handwriting. Following the transcript are 77 annotations by Martin West, the highly regarded director of Fort Ligonier and author of numerous historical articles on the French and Indian War.In some respects, these scholarly, yet concise annotations are the most interesting aspect of this book.The book also contains an excellent essay on "Young Washington" by Don Higgenbotham of the University of North Carolina and an essay, "Biography and Autobiography" by Rosemarie Zagarri of George Mason University, placing Washington's autobiographical manuscript remarks in the context of Lt. Col. David Humphreys' intended biography of Washington. The book concludes with an interesting essay by Professor Fred Anderson of the University of Colorado, author of "Crucible of War", probably the definitive book on the French and Indian War.Two appendices follow. The first is a fascinating explanation of the conservation of the manuscript by the conservator, Christine Smith. The second appendix,by Burton Kummerow, will be of considerable benefit to those interested in historical tourism. It is a guide to the historic French and Indian War sites mentioned in Washington's manuscript.A previous reviewer remarked negatively on the book's omission of the defeat of troops under Major James Grant of the Forbes Expedition in 1758. This is explained by the fact that Washington had no direct knowledge of this engaggement. At the time of Grant's Defeat, Washington was more than 100 miles away in Raystown (Bedford, PA). Washington's only knowledge of the event was based on hearsay. One of the principal values of the Washington manuscript is that it is a primary source.Neither it nor the book purports to be an exhaustive accounting of all the events of the French and Indian War, so criticism based on the omission of one's personal favorite event seems unfair.Those who purchase this book will be glad they did.