The Unexpected George Washington: His Private Life

By Harlow Giles Unger

Book Overview

Advance Praise for The Unexpected George Washington

"This is a biography that unquestionably lives up to its title. Readers will discover numerous, often touching traits that they never knew about the Father of the Country. Harlow Unger has written a one-of-a-kind book that will please and fascinate everyone."
-Thomas Fleming, author Washington's Secret War: The Hidden History of Valley Forge

"It's hard to imagine George Washington as playful, tender, or funny. But Harlow Unger searches to find these seldom-seen aspects of the private man, and the result is a far more complete and believable founding father."
-- James C. Rees, Executive Director, Historic Mount Vernon

Acclaim for Lafayette

"Harlow Unger has cornered the market on muses to emerge as America's most readable historian. His new biography of the Marquis de Lafayette combines a thoroughgoing account of the age of revolution, a probing psychological study of a complex man, and a literary style that goes down like cream."
--Florence King, contributing editor, National Review

"To American readers Unger's biography will provide a stark reminder of just how near run a thing was our War of Independence and the degree to which our forefathers' victory hinged on the help of our French allies, marshalled for George Washington by his 'adopted' son, Lafayette."
--Larry Collins, coauthor, Is Paris Burning? and O Jerusalem

"An admirable account of his Lafayette's] life and extraordinary career on both sides of the Atlantic."
-- The Sunday Telegraph (London)

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471744964
• ISBN13: 9780471744962
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Trade Paper Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Great Read

Unger is an entertaining writer who makes a common topic intersting. I read anything I can on George Washington and still found this little book very intersting with a few new tidbits of information. I have ordered other books by Unger after reading this one.

should be required reading for every american

our most important president has many details of his life that need to be learned or re-learned by Americans

Best Bio Ever

I loved this book. I have always liked Washington, but after reading this biography, I can honestly say he is one of my favorite people. I can hardly wait to visit Mt. Vernon.

A George Washington You Didn't Know

I purchased this book as a birthday gift for a friend who is a major George Washington fan, since I had previously read it and found it to be absolutely fascinating. Most books about him ignore the personal aspects of his life which are featured here and help understand him as a man rather than as a painting or a statue.

George Washington

This is truly a geat book. The title tells so little about what is in store for the reader. These are the kind of stories that should be told to children so that they would REALLY get to know who this great man was. I am glad that I saw this author on C-Span 2.