‘Being George Washington’ by Glenn Beck
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 3:15PM Book Review by Gene Retske
If you have ever watched the Glenn Beck program or listened to his radio show, you will recognize many of the concepts in Beck’s latest book. There is little new information in Being George Washington, beyond some conjecturing on the exact conversations and what may have been in the minds of the various players in the American Revolution—but not much of historical interest.
Beck uses his enhanced narrative biography of George Washington to lecture on his favorite topics – patriotism, religion, government and, especially, honor. At the beginning of the book, Beck maintains that Washington was human, and had normal faults and shortcomings. But, after no real examples of human frailties, by the end of the book, Beck returns Washington to his well-deserved pedestal.
Having said all this, I actually liked the book. It is an easy read, written in a clear straightforward style, without a lot of the details that are the bulk of most biographies. This book presents Washington’s life with the goal of drawing parallels to what is happening in our country today. Beck attributes the current toxic political environment primarily to a lack of honor in American society today. Washington is presented as a man who was the epitome of honor, which is almost undeniably the case. Without mentioning names (Beck eschews most all politicians), Beck accuses most of today’s crop of politicians as having little or no honor.
Beck cites several instances in which Washington put honor over personal gain, including taking command of the Continental Army, rejecting the absolute dictatorial power granted him by the Continental Congress, stepping down as commander in chief, refusing to be crowned as king, and the biggest of all, giving up power at the end of his second term, and not running for a third term.
Washington was truly a giant, and he cast his shadow over the U.S. for at least a hundred years. We could all do well to emulate his selfless service to his country, his dedication to freedom and his deep respect for human rights. Beck focuses on this, thus the title, Being George Washington.
Here’s my recommendation. If you are a historian, you should avoid reading this book because it will frustrate the tar out of you. The lack of detail, and extensive conjecture about what people might have said to each other or to themselves, will probably bring forth the ‘tsk-tsk’ of most academics. Otherwise, if you want to learn a bit more about the man who is inarguably the most important in our history, read it. You will be a better American for having done so.
Oh, and it should be required reading for all those in political office, everywhere, without exception. I am personally sending a copy to Sen. Harry Reid, and maybe a few others in the 20500 zip code. But, then, again, it seems that they don’t read long documents in D.C. anymore, like laws that they pass. George Washington would be most upset.
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