Parson Weems, A History of the Life and Death, Virtues & Exploits of General George Washington

Description

Parson Weems’ A History of the Life and Death, Virtues & Exploits of General George Washington was listed by Abraham Lincoln as one of six books in the cabin where he was born. Weems’ 1800 biography is described by William Barton as being the subject of mirth among students of Washington. It is certainly a children’s fable and includes the cherry tree myth. More recently historian Richard Brookhiser has re-read it and found much to inspire a young Lincoln as he rested after long hours of laborious rail-splitting.

With A History of the Life and Death, Virtues & Exploits of General George Washington, Mason Weems describes the march of Washington’s band of suffering patriots toward Trenton on Christmas Eve, 1776.

“Forming the line, they renewed the march. Pale, and slowly moving along the neighbouring hills was seen, (by Fancy’s eye) the weeping GENIUS OF LIBERTY. Driven from the rest of the world, she had fled to the wild woods of America, as to an assured asylum of rest. – Here she fondly hoped, through long unfailing time, to see her children pursuing their cheerful toils, unstarved and uncrushed by the INHUMAN FEW. But alas! The inhuman few, with fleets and armies, had pursued her flight! Her sons had gathered around her, but they had failed – some, on their bloody beds; others dispersed; all desponding. One little band alone remained! and, now, resolved to defend her or perish, were in rapid march to face her foes. Pale and in tears, with eyes often lifted to Heavan, she moved along with her children to witness perhaps the last conflict.” (p.140).

“She fondly hoped.” Lincoln never forgot a good turn of phrase and could recall them when needed. If Parson Weems’ Washington fails as a life of its subject, it is nevertheless one of the most effective biographies in American history.

This 1927 reprint features a beautiful woodcut on its scarce dust jacket.

Very good condition with clipped dust jacket that is otherwise also very good.

Weems, Mason. A History of the Life and Death, Virtues & Exploits of General George Washington. U.S.: Grosset & Dunlap, 1927. Reprint, 374p., illustrated end pages, dust jacket.