Saving General Washington (Paperback)

by J.R. Norton (Author) "WE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, need to do a little quiet reflection..." (more)
Key Phrases: Founding Fathers, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
An edgy work of political journalism that debunks conservative contentions tying the right-wing political agenda to the visionary ideas of America's founders, while reclaiming the progressive legacy of the Founding Fathers.

Modern Republicans have made a smart bet. They're wagering that Americans have gotten so far from their own history that a timely grab could put a "Founding Fathers" stamp of approval on the party that brought us policies as fundamentally un-American as the PATRIOT Act, as well as the war in Iraq.

But the more you learn about the Founding Fathers, the more broad and powerful parallels emerge between their practical--and revolutionary-political ideas and the modern progressive movement. The Founders loved reason and strenuous debate, not the quashing of dissent. They believed in checks and balances, and certainly not an imperial presidency. There were no "deferments" from the Colonial army. There were no "Schooner Ship Vets" to bail them out by making George Washington look like a deceptive medal hound.

With wryness and a touch of understated outrage, J. R. Norton reintroduces a generation (or two) to their Founders, men who were more dangerous and exciting than Che Guevara, Joe Strummer, and 50 Cent combined. We had toughies killed in politically motivated gunfights (Hamilton) and presidents who were also frontline heroes of war (Washington). Nowadays, the politicians who claim fraternity with these men are pampered oil heirs appointed to the presidency by the Supreme Court, leaders who spend "working weekends" on their ranches in the midst of a war-not to mention a massive natural disaster. We have draft-dodgers in the House and adulterers in the Senate and most want to alter the Constitution to take rights away from their own citizens (via the Federal Marriage Amendment). Saving General Washington sets our current political leaders in stark relief against the men who designed this "last best hope of earth," showing us just how far we've departed from the brilliant ideas and core values America was built on--and inspiring us to take up the mantle of the Founders again.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher (May 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585424862
• ISBN-13: 978-1585424863
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,093,721 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Would Washington Do?, May 18, 2006

By	Ashley Shelby (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews

J.R. Norton calls our current crop of political leaders to task with this wonderful, funny book. By paralleling the lives and actions of guys like Tom Paine, James Madison, John Locke, and other Founders and Framers, he does an incredible job of simultaneously making us ridiculously proud to be part of the legacy of these amazing men and making us feel embarrassed and outraged at the perversion of their values that has taken place during the Bush Administration. A wonderful, worthy read--one that will make you both laugh and cringe.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, insightful, treatise on our founding fathers and current 'leaders', June 11, 2006

By	Kurt D. Squire (Madison WI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Saving General Washington is a cleverly written treatise calling us to task on our national lack of historical memory. Norton's is an amusing ride, simultaneously weaving history and current events into one sharp commentary on who we are, where we came from and where we ought to be going.

Norton uses his firm grasp on current political events as a hook into the excellent contemporary literature on the founding fathers, creating a text that's easy to read if you are familiar with either -- and entertaining if you're familiar with both. It's hip and full of witty references -- but never to the point where it gets cutesy or the author becomes more into himself than the idea. I was most impressed by his ability to pull from historical research to provide a concise argument without getting lost in the details or horribly glossing over the historical subject matter.

One criticism could be that it doesn't go extremely deep into the history, but I'd argue that it serves its purpose by providing a good entree into the subject matter for those interested. There's worse things one could do than convince someone to pick up the latest McCullough biography. I'd also recommend Gordon Woods for anyone into these ideas.

For an example of the style, take Norton's discussion of business and politics -- where he contrasts Bush / Cheney to Franklin. Norton's description of Franklin, 'the official funny fat guy of the founding fathres and the nation's inspirationally folksy old bastard' is on the mark and hilarious. Norton does and excellent job of doing what our schools should have done -- reveal these old codges for the fascinating, contradictory, but ultimately foresighted people that they were and suggesting what lasting principles we might learn from them.

Saving General Washington reads like an entertaining friend walking you through a compelling argument -- that modern Republicans have hi-jacked the memory of our founding fathers and now we're taking it back.

Norton's dropping Burrs and Hamiltons like Samberg, and so should you.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best political book I've ever read, May 18, 2006

By	A. Weisbard (New Haven, CT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

You know how some political books tend to drag on with recitations of facts and accusations? Not this one.

Norton's dry wit makes the book a true pleasure and frequently had me laughing out loud as few books have (with the possible exception of the Daily Show's America: The Book).

I couldn't recommend it more strongly.