Inventing George Washington : America's founder, in myth and memory
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

This entertaining and erudite history offers a fresh look at America's first Founding Father, the creation of his legend, and what it means for our nation and ourselves. Washington's death in 1799 dealt a blow to public morale. For three decades, Americans had depended on his leadership. Now, they desperately needed to believe that Washington would continue to be there for them--thus began his immortalization. Historian Lengel shows how the late president and war hero continued to serve his nation on two levels: the public Washington evolved into a symbol as Father of His Country, while the private man remained always just out of reach. As Lengel shows, the contrasting urges to deify Washington and to understand him as a man have produced tensions in every generation. As some exalted him, others sought to bring him down to earth, creating a series of competing mythologies that depicted Washington as every sort of human being imaginable.--From publisher description.