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Master George's People: George Washington, His Slaves, And His Revolutionary Transformation (2013)

by Marfe Ferguson Delano(Favorite Author)

4 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

1426307608 (ISBN13: 9781426307607)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

National Geographic Children's Books

review 1: As a new entry of informational social studies text for upper elementary/early middle , this is a refreshing read. By selecting specific people who were enslaved on the Washington plantation and telling their story the impact is heightened. This image of our first president is an important correction earlier histories that avoided the paradox of his slave ownership while crafting a constition of equality. The inclusion of personal letters show the deep conflicts for him, productivity and profit requiring free labor. His relationship to his slaves is by record one of concern and a kind of compassion rarely exhitited by owners. Nothing can resolve the basic historical conflict and it should warn us of how easily shuch internal conflicts can be sustained in light of a ki... morend of pragmatism. It's a reality of our history pereptuated in today's culture on numerous subjects. One leaves the book impressend by, and sorry for, this historical luminary. It's a standard one expects of National Geographic.
review 2: Filled with intriguing nuggets about the evolution of thought toward slavery on the part of the nation's first president, this engaging nonfiction title relies on primary documents such as George Washington's papers and records to trace his changing attitude. The author provides brief accounts of Frank Lee, Washington's butler; Davy, an enslaved overseer; Hercules, the president's chef; Charlotte, the Mount Vernon seamstress; William Lee, huntsman and personal servant. The few stories and names that are recorded and whose stories are told in this book will remind readers of lost lives and blighted futures as well as cruel practices of selling slave family members to different owners. Photographs of historical interpreters at Mount Vernon add to the book's appeal and liveliness. There is even a poignant photograph of the slave burial ground on Washington's property. This slim volume packs an emotional punch and adds to the historical record. less

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