Toby Rosen Per.6 Joseph J.

Ellis Knopf Publishing Group, 2004 (1-25)

His Excellency From a collection of sources Joseph J. Ellis recollects George Washingtons life form the beginning. His Excellency begins with the short-lived encounter between the general and his French adversaries. The specific encounter happens to be the declaration of possession of the Ohio country. Both, Washingtons leaders, and those of the French claimed the land. Although neither of the two rightfully owned the land, the argument launched the opposing forces into war. According to the laws, which the countries followed, the land, in fact, belonged to the Half-king (leader of the Indians.) The book then goes on to describe the mere ideas that we have from Washingtons childhood. His family had a colonial equivalent status of aristocracy as well as a large sum of land. The Washington Heritage is composed of large fit men, which all died surprisingly young. Hence his fathers disappearance at a young age, Washingtons brother as well as the Fairfax family became the primary factors of his development. The job that is given to Washington by the Fairfaxs has astonishing implications on the rest of his life. Reasons of Washingtons appearance as a prominent figure in the French and Indian war are subject to his first career. The family which first employs the boy later vouches for his abilities as a military leader. The misfortune that Washington encounters, ultimately, brings along his honorable reputation. In horrible times, there must be a hero Washington becomes the savior and renowned war-hero. If Washington was not surrounded by the death of his soldiers and those of his opponents in battle, such as the Jumonville massacre, than he might not be remembered as what he is today. The two battles, that Washington participated in, become key factors in Washingtons prominence in American revolutionary affairs. The beginning of the book relates to colonial affairs, but as a biography of Washington I assume that it relates to topics up to and well after the revolution. His Excellency is important to the historian to not only get a first person interpretation of Washingtons life, but an alternate interpretation. An Alternate source is more important to the understanding of his life because a secondary author will attempt to eliminate bias. Although, the book does acknowledge Washingtons admirable intention to inform the reader of what happened to himself and what decisions he made, we need someone to analyze these decisions to give us an idea of whether they have been altered or not. In most case the author will alter truths to make ideas seem just. When Washington is engaged in war, we will need a multi-culture perspective to give us a sound reason for that war, rather than just what happened in it.