<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: A book for "every single" American (new or born) to Read
Review: Congratulations to David Barton for bringing back and retelling a wonderful chapter in our Nations history and the story that once was the staple of our childrens educational diet. Unfortunately those who continually attempt to strip us of our heritage and our Founders of their honor, have by and large, been successful in just about eliminating this story from our curriculums now-a-days. In short with great malace, they rob our children of a healthy historical education. A very sad commentary on both our education system and our political representatives as we move into the 21st century. The reasons for this shameful conduct, ideology and oppression is rediculous and unamerican in nature no matter what mantel is placed upon it. And any court in the land that upholds such tyranny is quite frankly no more than traitors, to our country. The other day I watched a Fox News episode where a Militant spokesperson actually called George Washington and a few others "Bad People." And indicated that their children should not be expected to attend any institution bearing their names. If this is what our youth, by our own hands are growing up to become and believe in, then America has truly lost it's soul. Can we get it back, sure, if we once again begin to read or let them read stories like this and honor such Ameircans as George Washington and bring back a patriotism that also honors our great emblems and symbols without being ashamed of them. This book should be required reading for all students and we should institute the beginning of a new train of thought for our children. An attitude in which we no longer accept the new age thought process of dishonoring our great leaders of the past, to the point of condemning our own heritage. But we should rather once again teach respect it and them once again and honor those who helped create this great nation. An enjoyable reading.
Rating:
Summary: A Brilliant Telling of a Forgotten Incident in history
Review: David Barton writes another brilliant and meticulous review of his history in this book. Barton spends the first part of the book setting up the incident with details of the French and Indian War. Though some historians blame Washington for the defeat near Pittsburgh to show that he was a quite unsuccessful officer before becoming the commanding General of the Continetal Army, Barton documents how it was the fault of the British who ignored and disrespected the Indian Scouts, Washington hired. General Braddock(Washington's Commander) entered into battle and found himself ambushed by the French and Indians who had behind bushes and trees which Braddock refused to do, and indeed beat men who tried to hide behind trees to fight. Braddock was extremely partial to the European way of fighting. In the end, most of the British and Colonials forces were defeated in the battle. Amazing Washington survived, reporting finding bullet fragments in his hair, and bullet holes in his vest, and having horses shot out from under him. Yet he was not hurt. The story concludes with a visit from Indian Chief who gives more detail on the battle, and gives a prophecy to Washington that has come true. This book is a must-have for anyone's library.
Rating: 
Summary: Well written, easy to read, but lacks attention to detail.
Review: I read the book and enjoyed it. However It's historical accuracy concerning Washington's journey to ascertain the purpose of the French in western Pennsylvania is questionable. On page 10, the author refers to Tanachrison as a "Southern Huron." Every reference to this period of history that I have read, to include "Indians in Pennsylvania" by Paul A. W. Wallace, have indicated that Chief Tanichrison was a Seneca. Given the relationship between the Iroquois and the Hurons during this period, I don't believe Tanachrison would have appreciated being referred to as a "Southern Huron." On page 13, he states that the rest of Washington's party left to hunt and trap, that Washington returned home alone in the dead of winter. According to "Washington's Journal," Washington left with Christopher Gist because he was anxious to get back to Williamsburg, VA and give his report to Governor Dinwiddie. Their horses had become feeble and the roads became deep with snow which slowed the party down.
Rating:
Summary: INSPIRING!!!!!!
Review: I'm not sure that I had ever heard of this incident before reading this book. I know it was never recorded in any of the text books that my Public School used for their curriculum. Yet 80 years ago, almost all school children were taught about this incident. And what's more important--It really happened, it's verifiable, and it was COMMON KNOWLEGE to Colonists during the Revolutionary War era. This is one of the reasons so many people had such trust in George Washington during the Revolutionary War and afterwards. They knew that he was protected by God. This booklet gives the account of the battle in which General George Braddock is ambushed during the French and Indian War. General Braddock is killed and all of the mounted officers are killed or wounded except ONE (George Washington). Washington escapes unhurt, without a scratch, though several horses are shot out from underneath him during the 3-hour (I think) battle, and his coat is riddled with bullet holes. --George Stancliffe
Rating:
Summary: Historical Evidence Shows Washington was Christian
Review: The historical evidence, much of which has been twisted or swept under the rug by revisionists, show that Washington was indeed a Christian. This excellent book chronicles what is possibly God's divine providence in his life. Here is the evidence that I speak of about Washington being a Christian; There have been numerous prayers written by Washington, verified in his handwriting, that mention Christ and his faith in Christ again and again. Many of these more poignant prayers reflect the way in which he felt guilty for his sins and he realized his need for the mercy of God....again, always making mention of Jesus in these prayers. After a request for a chaplain to accompany his army onto the frontier when Washington was a colonel was not fulfilled, Washington himself conducted Sunday worship services and preached to his troops for 2 full years. Washington forbade profanity by his troops explaining - and I'm paraphrasing - 'Our enemy is so great (at the time there were 500 British ships right offshore!) How can we expect the divine providence and assistance of Almighty God if we 'betray' him and do those things he despises with our speech.'
When Washington's father died - George was 11 - His mother required him to conduct daily worship services in their home for the whole family.
Upon reading his diary, you will see multiple references to his attendance of Church on Sunday ( Sunday - attended Church or Sunday - inclement weather - unable to attend Church )
The revisionists of history and indeed most history books for students today, dampen or even worse, reverse Washington's greatness. As one prominent historian wrote of the historical revisionists: " These termites of the timber of our history - they seek to destroy his(Washington's ) greatness because, they are not great and cannot be. They seek to destroy his goodness because they are not good. To face the father of our country as he really is......they (the revisionists) could not face themselves and what they are" -
This book is rooted in historical fact. Washington was a Christian if you look objectively at the historical evidence.
I don't know if having four bullet holes in your coat and two horses shot out from under you in battle and surviving is divine providence or not, but, if you're a Christian, you certainly know that it could be.
Rating:
Summary: Historical Evidence Shows Washington was Christian
Review: The historical evidence, much of which has been twisted or swept under the rug by revisionists, show that Washington was indeed a Christian. This excellent book chronicles what is possibly God's divine providence in his life. Here is the evidence that I speak of about Washington being a Christian; There have been numerous prayers written by Washington, verified in his handwriting, that mention Christ and his faith in Christ again and again. Many of these more poignant prayers reflect the way in which he felt guilty for his sins and he realized his need for the mercy of God....again, always making mention of Jesus in these prayers. After a request for a chaplain to accompany his army onto the frontier when Washington was a colonel was not fulfilled, Washington himself conducted Sunday worship services and preached to his troops for 2 full years. Washington forbade profanity by his troops explaining - and I'm paraphrasing - 'Our enemy is so great (at the time there were 500 British ships right offshore!) How can we expect the divine providence and assistance of Almighty God if we 'betray' him and do those things he despises with our speech.'
When Washington's father died - George was 11 - His mother required him to conduct daily worship services in their home for the whole family.
Upon reading his diary, you will see multiple references to his attendance of Church on Sunday ( Sunday - attended Church or Sunday - inclement weather - unable to attend Church )
The revisionists of history and indeed most history books for students today, dampen or even worse, reverse Washington's greatness. As one prominent historian wrote of the historical revisionists: " These termites of the timber of our history - they seek to destroy his(Washington's ) greatness because, they are not great and cannot be. They seek to destroy his goodness because they are not good. To face the father of our country as he really is......they (the revisionists) could not face themselves and what they are" -
This book is rooted in historical fact. Washington was a Christian if you look objectively at the historical evidence.
I don't know if having four bullet holes in your coat and two horses shot out from under you in battle and surviving is divine providence or not, but, if you're a Christian, you certainly know that it could be.
Rating: 
Summary: Good short history of Braddock's Defeat
Review: This is a rather short book of 56 pages (8.5"x5.5" in size). However, it puts a good deal of infomation into those pages. The book starts with a short history of what leads to the French and Indian War, then gives information concerning George Washington's service under the British up to Braddock's march. In dealing with the begining of Braddock's Campaign, we are told of Benjamin Franklin's part in securing supplies for the march. There are illustrations and excerpts from first-hand accounts of those involved.
The author gives a fairly good account of the battle (Braddock's Defeat) itself, but there are some mistakes. For example, the book claims the French set up an ambush for the English at Braddock's Defeat. This is simply not true. It is true that the French were trying to set up an ambush at the river crossing, but the English had already crossed the river before the French arrived there, and the English spotted the French and Indians before any "ambush" could take place. When the French first met the British, both sides were equally surprised. This mistaken belief that the French ambushed the British, however, has been repeated by many historians. And the "Indian" the book claimed was spotted by the English was really the French commander of the attackers. Also, the book leads one to believe the Indian and French "ambushers" immediately routed the English but this is not true either. The English formed up into ranks and had the French and Indians in a near retreat after the French Commander was shot down. The English only began to retreat when the French and Indians regrouped under another commander and threatened to surround the English. This is when things turned ugly for the English.
There is really no excuse for these mistakes, but the story of George Washington's part in the Battle and his miraculous escape from injury is well told. Perhaps because of the rather short length of the book, the author simply skipped things which would be covered in a longer account.
One incident related is the story of Mary Draper Ingles, George Washington, and the Indian called Red Hawk. The author tells of an incident when Ingles met Washington. The author uses as his source for this information the book "Follow The River." Now, while I have read "Follow the River," and it is a very good book, it is a novel, and should not be used as a source. In fact, the author of that novel writes in his "notes" at the end of the book that there is NO record stating Ingles and Washington ever met. In other words, it isn't really true; the novelist just used the incident for dramatic effect. Also, the author of "Follow the River" states he used the book "Trans-Allegany Pioneers" by Hale for much of his information. This book relates the incident of Red Hawk and Washington, but Ingles is not involved in any way. And "Trans-Allegany Pioneers" uses for its source of information, the book "History of the Valley of Virginia" by Kercheval. Again while the story of Red Hawk and Washington is most likely true, Ingles is not involved in any way. Barton should never have used a NOVEL as a source because the author of the novel changes things for the benefit of the story and as a way to introduce the information. In other words, the incident with Ingles really never happened, but the information concerning Red Hawk and Washington is based on fact. (By the way, however, "Follow the River" is a very good novel, based on the life of Mary Ingles, but it is a novel, not a source for reference.) The other account of Washington and Red Hawk and Dr. Craik has as its original source a book by Washington's stepson, "Recollections and Private Memoirs of George Washington" (by George Washington Parke Custic).
So the story has some faulty history, but it does not distract from the main point of the story a great deal. Overall, the writing is well done and leads the reader on to the finish.
This is a good book for someone who has little knowledge of the French and Indian War, but anyone who has read of this account before will most likely find nothing new. For what the book is--a 56 page story of George Washington's part in the French and Indian War--this is not a bad book. The excerpts of original writings from George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Indians involved in the fighting would probably be expecially interesting to those who haven't read a great deal about this time period. But in reality, there are better books (but also longer much longer, which may not be what the reader is interested in). That said, I would give this book to any child, and it is written in a manner that will most likely hold their interest more than any book about history they are given to read in school. In fact, if there were more books like this, children would probably have a greater interest in history, as this is the type of book that makes history "come alive" with a story of people and events instead of stale dates and places. A good read for adults too for those who have little knowledge of this event.
By the way, the book is somewhat religiously oriented in that it claims God personally protected George Washington during Braddock's Defeat (an idea that is repeated several times throughout the narrative). Whether that is true or not, or whether one even believes in God or not, does not really detract from the book. However, because of the faulty history, I downgraded my rating to 2 stars. Still a good book to give to your kids though.
Rating:
Summary: Something to think about
Review: Whether God spared Washington's life in this account of battle, I know not. The author certainly seems to think so. And other accounts of Washington's career seem to indicate something of the Divine was involved in directing the steps of his life. Scripture teaches us that God directs the affairs of men, since there is no authority except from God. (Rom13:1-2) Therefore in the strictest since, the birth of America was ordained of God and Washington played an important role in the forming. But service to the Lord is quite another story. To imply that because the hand of God was obvious in the life of George Washington, that he was therefore a 'genuine' Christian is stretching the truth. True conversion to Christ is manifested in humbleness of character, purity of heart, meekness and love. Something very rare in our modern churches. Although Washington lived in a time where sound preached was the rule and not the exception (as it is in our day) he did not manifest the fruits of the Spirit in his life to prove that he had anything better than the 'faith of devils' (much like most professing Christians today)
He was indeed a highly principled man and probably moral in most of his conduct. But such were many of our founders. They excelled in the principles of sound leadership and upheld personal liberty. (unlike the reprobates in office currently) But MOST of them were not disciples of our Lord. We can remember Washington for his courage and determination in founding our Republic and pray to God that more like him would rise up to spare us the impending tyranny that is fast approaching.
<< 1 >>
|
