Washington Books

Dr Lillback gives us a masterful display of Christian historiography.

Thesis: George Washington was neither a Deist nor a modern Fundamentalist Evangelical. Rather, he was an orthodox Latitudinarian within the Anglican church. This means that while he did not have the outward, expressive, emotional zeal of 20th century counterparts, he did have a real faith in a Personal Triune God, and sucha faith did inform his public policies and inspire commitments.

Critics object that Washington never referred to Jesus; refused to partake of the Lord's Supper, and among other things, used Deistic language. Lillback skillfully rebuts all claims:

(1) Washington did refer to Jesus, and those who say otherwise just ignore several letters where he recommends "the author of our Faith" (a reference to Christ in the book of Hebrews), and the religion of Jesus to the Indians. Also, Washington didn't like to speak of himself at all. It is not the case that he refused to speak of his Faith. Rather, he refused to speak of Washington.

(2) It is true at times that Washington refused to take communion, but a number of points need to be made: a) this was not like the modern, high church Episcopalism. Due to the lack of ministers, and the frontier nature of the church, congregations would celebrate communion only a few times a year. Given that other evidence shows Washington took communion, this objection is actually a strong argument for Washington's faith: it is only a few times that Washington actually missed communion!

(3) Did Washington use Deistic language? I think we can answer no on two counts. Dr Lillback shows that terms that Deists use were actually Christian terms that were subsequently stripped of their orthodox meaning. Therefore (2) if he used Deistic language, his lifestyle and other references indicate that he did not mean by it the same thing Deists meant by it.

Conclusion:
This book is a monster! Over 200 pages of valuable endnotes. Reading Washington's letters is quite devotional and reading of his struggles is inspiring. Was Washington a practicing Christian? I leave on the following count: Given the nightmare and stress of Valley Forge, wouldn't it make sense if Washington indeed got down on his knees and prayed? In fact, that is the only explanation that explains the historical data.

Dr. Peter Lillback and co-author Jerry Newcombe, have hit a smashing home run with this extraordinarily powerful book on George Washington.

After spending over a decade of research going through all the original documents of George Washington, Lillback has exposed the myths about this true man of Christian faith, and proven without a doubt that Washington was a follower of Christ Jesus and not merely a Deist.

This must have book is broken up into seven sections that cover the controversy over George Washington, the historical background of Washington, Washington's life, and Washington as a churchman, and even the debate over Washington and communion.

My favorite part of the book was the ten appendices at the end that cover the rules of civility and decent behavior that Washington abided by, as well as representative biblical quotations and allusions that Washington used all of the time. The other appendices cover sermons, and other prayers by others that were impacting to Washington.

This book also has beautiful photographs within its pages and a few hundred pages of endnotes so that you can go directly to the source and see for yourself the truth about Washington.

In this day of revisionist history, where the liberals are trying to convince the world that faith was not a part of the founding of this country, Dr. Lillback's work is a two fisted punch in the nose to prove otherwise.

This is a much needed book in the public schools, universities, pulpit and church libraries and every patriot in America. Buy it today, you won't be disappointed.

I read this book, and Joyce Milton, sure did a good book about the first president of the united states, who married Martha Dandrige Washington, got his face on a quarter, and got his face on a penny. I give it a ...(5 out of 5), and I give it 5 stars.

This book was a worthy tribute to our first President who was truly a quiet and even a reluctant hero. It told something of his boyhood, but the main focus was on his part in the formation of the United States. The reading was perfect for my sixth grade readers, and also held the interest of my Asian college-aged exchange students who are here to study American culture.

This is by far the best reference available for George Washington. The A to Z format makes it a breeze to look up any topic related to Washington. If Washington said it, it is in his own hand. If anyone else said it about Washington, it is in their own hand. Forget the myths. Read this book and know the truth about George Washington.

This book is a perfect starting place for anyone interested in the life and career of George Washington. Covering all facets of his life, from his childhood on the Rappahannock to his youthful indiscretions and achievements on the frontier during the French and Indian War, and from his role as commander-in-chief during the Revolutionary War to his duties as first President of the United States and first EX-president, Grizzard's book provides a truly comprehensive and scrupulously accurate source. Everything you could ever need is here, clearly and attractively presented in one extremely useful volume. You'll find yourself pulling it off the shelf again and again.

That only taxes and death are certain would sum up what we know for sure about GEORGES du Mesnil DE LA TOUR AND HIS WORLD. Just as his native Lorraine lost its independence to France, so was he factored out of the art world during the 250 some years after he died in 1652. His "flea catcher"; "hurdy-gurdy player," variously mistaken as the work of 17th-century Spanish masters Herrera the Elder, Maino, Murillo, Rivera, Velazquez, and Zurbaran; and my favorite, Jacques Callot-type "newborn child" have been recognized as the most beloved of his art of Dutch- and Flemish-type earthy realism and luminously softened colors, eerily flickering light and spectacular lighting effects, finely drafted clothing and hair, highly focused and tensely concentrated mood, and minimal expressions, forms and gestures subtly cluing character. He excelled in not only the theatrically controlled daylight manner, with the henpecked "old man" and thin-lipped "old woman" of the piercing eyes and the careworn "old peasant couple eating" in worn clothing with pulled stitches accented by light brushstrokes and rubbed-thin paint, but also the deeply shadowed and dramatically night-time style, with "denial of St Peter" and "dream of St Joseph." His subjects ranged from the everyday life of ordinary people, as in his boys blowing on a charcoal stick and a firebrand, "girl blowing on a brazier," and my favorite "payment of taxes" with a Jacques Bellange-styled unsettling atmosphere of crowded space, deeply shadowed eyes, meticulously folded drapery and unusual candle-cast shine to arms and faces; to music, with "cornet player," "musicians' brawl" of gesturing arms and gnarled hands around beautifully painted musical instruments and lively highlighted weather-cracked and wrinkled faces, Jean Appier aka Hanzelet-type "woman playing a triangle," and "young singer"; to nonreligious moralizing with all the furtiveness and sideways glances by cheats with the aces of clubs and diamonds in Fontainebleau school-styled solidly brushed half-length figures and Simon Vouet-type colorfully light fine materials, "dice players," and my favorite "fortune-teller"; to religious meditations with "adoration of the shepherds," Job with his broken bowl for scraping sores and his Jacques Bellange-styled highwaisted wife, and such Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio- and Hendrick ter Brugghen-type ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events as saints Alexis, Andrew, Anne mothering Mary and grandmothering Jesus, Francis in ecstasy, James the Less of the brushy arthritic hands, Jerome the scholarly ascetic with a bloodstained knotted rope against self-indulgence, John the Baptist in the wilderness, Jude Thaddeus, Mary Magdalene sorrowing over her sins, Philip of the crystal buttons ingeniously refracting light onto his jacket, Sebastian tenderly cared by Irene and her tearful assistant, and Thomas transformed from doubt to toughly unflinching faith. I particularly like the way he showed children behaving goodly with "Christ with St Joseph in the carpenter's shop" and "education of the Virgin." Ever since reading Aldous Huxley I have wondered which three books I would take to a BRAVE NEW WORLD: chances are that one would be editor Philip Conisbee's carefully written, gorgeously illustrated and well-organized book, because I have loved de La Tour's art ever since learning about him from my artist mother and sister during my student years and because this one-of-a-kind, reader-friendly book plants his first American exhibition so firmly in the art world that, what with GEORGES DE LA TOUR in French by Paulette Chone, Pierre Rosenberg and Bruno Ferte, and Jacques Thuillier and what with David Huddle's upcoming LA TOUR DREAMS OF THE WOLF GIRL and Christopher Wright's THE MASTERS OF CANDLELIGHT, he should never be dislodged again.

This book shows thirty great paintings by what I consider the second-best French painter of the seventeenth century (to me, but to very few others, Simon Vouet was the best).

Those who haven't seen Georges de La Tour's paintings will be struck by the fact that the backgrounds are typically dark black. That was his style. He'd paint the design, starting with the light colors. Then he would add darker colors to it. And he'd finish up with a very dark background.

We see people paying taxes. We see a peasant couple. A hurdy-gurdy player. Brawling musicians. Dice players. There's a great work showing someone cheating at cards. In the version in the Louvre, the cheat has the Ace of Diamonds behind his back. La Tour did a copy of the painting, which is in the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, but in that one, the cheat holds the Ace of Clubs!

Some of the paintings have religious significance. Three of them involve Magdalene and a skull. Another shows Irene tending to the wounded Saint Sebastian. And there are paintings of the Holy Family. One is of Jesus and Saint Joseph in Joseph's carpenter's shop. Another is of Saint Anne (Mary's mother) teaching Mary to read. One more is of Anne and Jesus. And yet another is of Anne, Mary, and Jesus.

The detail in all these paintings is stunning. And the expressions on the faces of La Tour's characters are remarkable.

I recommend this book.

This book is easy to read and follow. It is inspirational and inspiring, we can ALL, with practice, have a glimpse beyond!

This book is well written and inspirational. What is brought up in the book is the TRUTH. Reader should read it with an open mind. God speaks to man on earth today just as in the past. I really enjoyed reading this book. It has everything that I too have been taught.

Great devotion book for my almost 10 year old - she looks forward to reading it every day!

This is an awesome book. It has great informative devotionals for kids. The best thing about this book is that it's especially made for kids so you can understand it!

Quoting from the deeply religious John Adams to the dramatic deist Jefferson, God of Our Fathers provides an interesting window into a time when God was much more a part of the cultural vernacular, consciousness, and everyday conversation. There is no way to properly understand the culture at the time of our country's formation without considering the role religion played in the lives of the people. In a clear and user-friendly way, God of Our Fathers presents an important aspect to any study or understanding of the world that the Founding Fathers inhabited.

God of Our Fathers is an excellent compilation of some of the most fascinating writings and statements by the Founding Fathers regarding God, religion, and virtue. This highly-engaging book is clearly the result of meticulous research, and I highly recommend it.

I hope Amazon will order Going Places again from Green Acres School. I gave my last copy away assuming I could get it easily from Amazon.

It is the all-time best book about Places to See in Washington, DC -- for children AND adults. It gives useful information such as operating hours as well as very informative commentary about each venue. It's a MUST HAVE.

This book is not out of print, the 16th edition just came out in June 2003, with updated information on places to visite and things to do with children in the Washington, DC area. It is a must when planning a trip to the Nation's Capital! If you can't find it in a book store, you can order it from Green Acres School in Rockville, Maryland.

This is a "must have" for any Washington State golfer. This also makes a great gift for a golfer in your family. If you play golf and you don't have this book, BUY IT!

Daniel MacMillan has done it again. This is truely an awsome guide to the states golf courses. The information provided is both comprehensive and accurate to the smallest detail. Every golfer should have this book in his /her golf bag or vehicle for quick and easy access. What a handy and easy to use knowledge base.

Written by a mix of recognizable names and previous unpublished up-and-comers, this book is a great read! The stories are such an eclectic mix of genres written around a myriad of different themes. I really enjoyed this read, and only wish short stories collections would receive more attention from the media.

Great variety (humor, gravitas, provocation...) and great writing. Who knew we were hoarding this much literary treasure in the D.C. area?!