( 17 reviews )
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Posted: Jun 3 2009
An enjoyable, fast read, but strangely lacking in serious analysis. This may not be the author's fault; perhaps there simply isn't enough information about Greene. Still, aside from the factual recounting of battles, I couldn't help thinking that the author made an entire book out of the following unremarkable contentions: Greene lacked formal schooling, but was brilliant; he limped and was insecure; he was extremely competent but prone to self-pity. The author repeats these sentiments throughout the book and attributes Greene's every action to one or the other. That may be accurate, but it hardly paints a very complex picture. Other biographies (of other subjects) offer a vivid depiction of personality in addition to analyzing motive. This one, somehow, does not.
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Posted: May 29 2009
I wanted to explore a book specifically targeting one of Washington's Generals and narrowed it down to a few before deciding on Greene. I was pleasantly surprised and at the same time greatly humbled with this book. Greene was, in many ways a typical patriotic zealot. But what set him apart from many all other Generals under Washington was his lack of military experience. He also happened to be one of only 2 Quaker Generals as well. The book does a good job relaying to us the love for his wife and his family, his personal beliefs on religion, his faithfulness to Washington, his patriotic zeal and his tender feelings. All this allows us to see not just the General who saved the cause in the South but Nathaneal Greene the person as well. The book is good at painting vivid pictures of what was happening in the war but the personal part that goes along with it is what makes this book such a great read for anyone who has any level of interest in the revolution.
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Posted: Apr 26 2009
"Washington's General" by Terry Golway is a great read on Nathanael Greene, one of the Revolutionary War's greatest generals and perhaps General George Washington's best friend during the war. Golway covers several areas of Greene's life, specifically: 1. Birth into a prosperous Quaker family and conflict with his father's religion. 2. Burning desire to improve himself through reading classics and military histories, books forbidden by his father. 3. Initial Revolutionary War service in New England. 4. Service as Quartermaster General - he did a good job but detested the work as he dreamed of winning glory and honor on the battlefield. 5. Relationship with Washington and other military figures. 6. Test relationships with Congress. 7. Family relationships (Caty and their several children). Seemed like every time she came to visit Greene during winter camps, Caty went back to Rhode Island pregnant. 8. Numerous engagements while fighting in the North (Bunker Hill, Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth, Long Island, Germantown, etc.). 9. Battles as Southern Commander (Guilford Court House, Hobkirk's Hill, Eutaw Springs, Ninety-Six, etc.). 10. Life after the war and early death from what appeared to be sunstroke at the age of 44. The book flows smoothly and is a very entertaining read. The only reason I did not give the book 5 stars was because of the lack of maps and pictures. There were no pictures and only a couple of maps at the beginning of the book. It would have been great to see some pictures of the various characters and maps of the various battles Greene fought in. Still, a great read. Read and enjoy. Highly recommended!
