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Adopted Son Washington Lafayette and the Friendship that Saved the Revolution David A Clary 9780553804355 Books

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Adopted Son Washington Lafayette and the Friendship that Saved the Revolution David A Clary 9780553804355 Books

After reading another book about Lafayette, and having previously been interested in his relationship with George Washington, I decided this looked like something that I would enjoy reading. While I learned a lot from the book and there were many memorable moments, the book also has certain drawbacks.

The book actually starts off by depicting the scene between Washington and Lafayette after the battle of Monmouth, in which the pair sat on top of Washington's cloak and fell asleep side by side. From there, it details first Washington's then Lafayette's early lives before they met in 1777 and documents the many parts both men played in the American Revolution. After the war is over, the book mainly focuses on Lafayette's various political and diplomatic escapades in France. It includes some information about Lafayette's return to America in 1824 for the fiftieth anniversary of the American Revolution before finally wrapping up with his death in 1834.

I'll start with the good parts about this book. There is a plethora of information about both George Washington and Lafayette in terms of their roles in the American Revolution and what happened to them after it was all over. The portrayal of the genuinely affectionate relationship between two people, both of whom lost their fathers early, from different backgrounds is touching and it makes these two great men seem more human. The book also comes with a number of illustrations and pictures of the people the book is discussing. It was a nice addition that gave a few visuals to a book full of names, dates and places. I certainly learned a lot not just about Washington and Lafayette, but many other players in the American Revolution as well.

On the downside, however, this book is mired down with far too many details. I would have liked this book more if it had focused more on just the relationship between Lafayette and Washington, as it had a tendency to deviate from the pair in question as more and more people were introduced. In addition, it takes a few chapters before you get to the point where Lafayette and Washington actually meet and interact with each other, which was the reason I wanted to read this book in the first place. In short, I think some of the content could have been trimmed down and the book would have been better for it.

That being said, this is a very informative book. I did learn a lot of things I didn't know about the two of them by reading it and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in Washington and Lafayette's relationship. If you don't mind reading some wordy and dense material, it is likely you will enjoy this book as well.


Tags : Adopted Son: Washington, Lafayette, and the Friendship that Saved the Revolution [David A. Clary] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. They were unlikely comrades-in-arms. One was a self-taught, middle-aged Virginia planter in charge of a ragtag army of revolutionaries,David A. Clary,Adopted Son: Washington, Lafayette, and the Friendship that Saved the Revolution,Bantam,0553804359,ISBN1C-0489,United States - Revolutionary War,Presidents;United States;Biography.,Statesmen;France;Biography.,United States;History;Revolution, 1775-1783.,1757-1834,Biography,France,GENERAL,General Adult,HISTORY United States Revolutionary Period (1775-1800),History,History - General History,History Revolutionary,HistoryAmerican,History: American,Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier,,Non-Fiction,Presidents,Revolutionary,Statesmen,U.S. HISTORY - REVOLUTION AND CONFEDERATION (1775-1789),U.S. PRESIDENT,United States,marquis de,

Adopted Son Washington Lafayette and the Friendship that Saved the Revolution David A Clary 9780553804355 Books Reviews

I have learned more about both Washington and Lafayette by reading this book. It is a slow read as there are many quotes and parts of letters by both Washington and Lafayette in the book as well as some from their contemporaries. These are in the language of the time and in Lafayette's case English was his second language. It is well worth the effort for the value.
I always knew about Lafayette's role as one of Washington's most able and trusted generals, but I never realized how incredibly close the two were until I read this book. It is a real eye opener. Essential reading for anybody who is interested in this period in US history
"Adopted Son Washington, Lafayette, and the Friendship that Saved the Revolution" by author David A. Cleary gives us a masterfully researched narrative, providing insight presented with incredible detail. The story of the teen aged general from France who disobeys everyone in his country, from his father-in-law to his king, to set out in defense of liberty and in search of glory reads like an adventure novel. Cleary relates the story of how the orphaned Lafayette, in search of a father, bonds with the orphaned Washington, in search of a son. That neither were conscious of their search makes the bond they formed with one another that much more endearing.

Cleary does a very fine job of showing how Lafayette loved Washington, and of how Washington loved him back. The level of trust that Washington placed in Lafayette, especially in the time leading up to the decisive battle at Yorktown, was sobering. That Lafayette often was not able to be told the reasons behind many of his orders, but followed blindly nonetheless knowing that his `father' would never lead him astray, was at times touching.

It would be very easy to write a book on Lafayette describing only his highlights. How he was wounded in his first battle, and adored thereafter. How he was a hero in his adopted country even more so than in his homeland. How he fought for the end of slavery (and convinced his adopted father that slavery should be abolished). But to dwell only on the positive would not tell the whole story of Lafayette. Indeed, it is his flaws, especially those revealed much later in his life, that make the man human, and through contrast give his heroics more weight. The closing chapters of the book, and the closing chapters of Lafayette's life show a man who, anxious for the liberation of his own country, often finds himself at odds with the very people he is trying to liberate.

The American Revolution needed Washington in order to succeed. Washington needed Lafayette in order to succeed. That Lafayette was, by far, the most influential person when it came to France giving pivotal aid to the American cause of liberty cannot be understated. Without this aid, it is difficult to imagine a way that Washington succeeds.

An inspiring read containing a bibliography of source material that I know I will refer to again and again. 4.5 stars out of 5-stars.
Very well-researched book and it gave a good introduction to both men, their backgrounds, and their ultimate fate while mentioning all their acquaintances and the parties involved in the American Revolution. The inclusion of their letters along with a Who's Who list of names and titles was very helpful, and the paintings and illustrations added a needed visual element to a dense book that needs the reader's time and attention.

In the end, it seems both men affected one another in equal measure. Few men can leave their mark on history like Washington and Lafayette.
After reading another book about Lafayette, and having previously been interested in his relationship with George Washington, I decided this looked like something that I would enjoy reading. While I learned a lot from the book and there were many memorable moments, the book also has certain drawbacks.

The book actually starts off by depicting the scene between Washington and Lafayette after the battle of Monmouth, in which the pair sat on top of Washington's cloak and fell asleep side by side. From there, it details first Washington's then Lafayette's early lives before they met in 1777 and documents the many parts both men played in the American Revolution. After the war is over, the book mainly focuses on Lafayette's various political and diplomatic escapades in France. It includes some information about Lafayette's return to America in 1824 for the fiftieth anniversary of the American Revolution before finally wrapping up with his death in 1834.

I'll start with the good parts about this book. There is a plethora of information about both George Washington and Lafayette in terms of their roles in the American Revolution and what happened to them after it was all over. The portrayal of the genuinely affectionate relationship between two people, both of whom lost their fathers early, from different backgrounds is touching and it makes these two great men seem more human. The book also comes with a number of illustrations and pictures of the people the book is discussing. It was a nice addition that gave a few visuals to a book full of names, dates and places. I certainly learned a lot not just about Washington and Lafayette, but many other players in the American Revolution as well.

On the downside, however, this book is mired down with far too many details. I would have liked this book more if it had focused more on just the relationship between Lafayette and Washington, as it had a tendency to deviate from the pair in question as more and more people were introduced. In addition, it takes a few chapters before you get to the point where Lafayette and Washington actually meet and interact with each other, which was the reason I wanted to read this book in the first place. In short, I think some of the content could have been trimmed down and the book would have been better for it.

That being said, this is a very informative book. I did learn a lot of things I didn't know about the two of them by reading it and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in Washington and Lafayette's relationship. If you don't mind reading some wordy and dense material, it is likely you will enjoy this book as well.