| Book Review | The Journal of American History, 91.4

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| Book Review | The Journal of American History, 91.4 | The History Cooperative

Book Review

George Washington: Uniting a Nation. By Don Higginbotham. (Lanham: Rowman & Little-field, 2002. xii, 175 pp. $22.95, ISBN 0-7425-2208-3.)

George Washington. By James MacGregor Burns and Susan Dunn. (New York: Times, 2004. xx, 185 pp. $20.00, ISBN 0-8050-6936-4.)

These two brief books examine George Washington as promoter and icon of American nationalism and as presidential leader, respectively.

Securing independence and establishing a stable union required, explains Don Higginbotham, addressing the diversity and fragmentation among the colonies and successor states. Moreover, colonials, particularly the elites, saw themselves as, not Americans, but patriotic Britons and strove to emulate the British gentry. Not until early 1774, in response to Britain's humiliating assault on their autonomy and aspirations, did many seek an alternative to Britishness. But where could they find the building blocks of nationhood? Washington, says Higginbotham, could serve effectively as the central national icon because he was thought to personify the ideal English gentleman's refinement and virtue. He could function as both proof of American civilized achievement and role model for republican citizens.

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