George Washington: The Wonder of the Age
Discover the man behind the myth: “The only Washington biography you need…Crisply written, admirably concise, and never superficial.”—TheWall Street Journal
As editor of the award-winning Library of America collection of George Washington’s writings and a curator of the great man’s original papers, John Rhodehamel has established himself as an authority of our nation’s preeminent founding father and first president. In this book, Rhodehamel examines George Washington as a public figure, arguing that the man—who first achieved fame in his early twenties—is inextricably bound to his mythic status. Solidly grounded in Washington’s papers and exemplary in its brevity, this approachable biography is a superb introduction to the leader whose name has become synonymous with America.
“A highly entertaining book…The powdered wig, the silly pants, the poker face staring out from crumpled dollar bills: All serve to separate us from our founding father. Rhodehamel’s urgency of prose restores the connection. He also showcases his experience as the former archivist of Mount Vernon by bringing manuscript sources directly to the reader.”—TheNew York Times Book Review
As editor of the award-winning Library of America collection of George Washington’s writings and a curator of the great man’s original papers, John Rhodehamel has established himself as an authority of our nation’s preeminent founding father and first president. In this book, Rhodehamel examines George Washington as a public figure, arguing that the man—who first achieved fame in his early twenties—is inextricably bound to his mythic status. Solidly grounded in Washington’s papers and exemplary in its brevity, this approachable biography is a superb introduction to the leader whose name has become synonymous with America.
“A highly entertaining book…The powdered wig, the silly pants, the poker face staring out from crumpled dollar bills: All serve to separate us from our founding father. Rhodehamel’s urgency of prose restores the connection. He also showcases his experience as the former archivist of Mount Vernon by bringing manuscript sources directly to the reader.”—TheNew York Times Book Review
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多く使われている語句
Adams American attack authority battle become began believed Boston Britain British called Charlottesville chief Colonel colonies command Congress Constitution Continental Army continued convention Cornwallis death debt defeat early enemy England English experiment Fairfax feared federal fight fire FO/NA followed force France French frontier gave George Washington give Hamilton hand hope House hundred important independence Indians James John July June King land later letter living Madison Major March military militia months Mount Vernon never North officers Ohio opposition orders Papers of George Papers of GW passed Philadelphia political president Press of Virginia rank regiments remained republican River seemed Senate Series slaves soldiers soon South success Thomas Jefferson thought thousand took Treaty troops turned United University Press victory wanted West western Writings wrote York
李怡
條件平凡的人創造不凡
美國獨立戰爭，發表《獨立宣言》，制訂美國憲法，並非華盛頓一人的成就，而是一群俊彥的努力成果。他們是美國的奠基者，被後世稱為開國元勳，廣義上開國元勳是指發起獨立戰爭反抗英國皇室權威從而建立聯邦共和國的人，狹義是指在1776年簽署獨立宣言的人或者是1787年參與起草憲法的制憲會議的代表。
除了華盛頓之外，其中最受推崇的還有亞當斯（John Adams）、富蘭克林（Benjamin Franklin）、麥迪遜（James Madison）、漢密爾頓（Alexander Hamilton）、傑佛遜（Thomas Jefferson）、門羅（James Monroe），被稱為開國七賢。其中亞當斯、傑佛遜、麥迪遜、門羅都在華盛頓之後當過總統。
七人都是奇才，除華盛頓外，都受過高等教育，富蘭克林雖然沒有受過正式教育，卻著作豐富，更是成就非凡的發明家。更重要的，是這群人都接受英國洛克和法國孟德斯鳩的自由、法治和三權分立的思想，並以此貫徹在制訂美國憲法及其後的實踐中。
反而華盛頓個人條件平凡，沒有受高等教育，甚至沒有去過文化的歐洲，也不懂當時政界、文化界通行的法語。他拒絕了法國政府的訪問邀請，因為國家元首不會說法文實在太難堪。他主持制憲會議的時候，從來沒有發言，他當時的日記所載多為飲茶和宴會活動，沒有片言隻語關於憲政議題的個人意見。當他的革命同志熱情地辯論憲政議題，他幾乎毫無想法。
然而，華盛頓卻能統帥群倫成為革命的象徵、成為兩千年來第一個民主共和國的領袖。確實令人驚奇。《時代的驚奇》這本書，就是通過他的經歷講到他重要的個人特質。
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《時代的驚奇：華盛頓如何形塑自己成為革命的象徵、共和國的領袖》
作者：約翰．羅德哈莫
由 人文社群出版有限公司 出版
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