Sunday, July 31, 2011

Ron Chernow - Washington: A Life (5)

"Light reading (by this I mean books of little importance) may amuse for the moment, but leaves nothing solid behind." p. 13

"As his life progressed, Washington would adhere to the stoic creed of governing one's passions under the most adverse circumstances and facing the prospect of death with serenity." p. 13

Washington studied his social betters and tried to imitate their behavior. p. 13

Washington respected education, but was never bookish. p. 14

Connecting with the Fairfax family opened up a new social and intellectual world for Washington. Such connections with a powerful patron were critical for success in colonial America. p. 16

Surveying was a good upward career path. p. 18

Washington engaged in land speculation all his life. 0. 23

Barbados was his only trip outside colonial America. p. 24

He was always trying to improve himself. p. 25

Prominent Mason. p. 27

He was lucky and physically strong, surviving smallpox and other maladies all his life, and very brave, not adverse to dodging bullets.

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