Schwartz, Barry (Washington, George)

George Washington: The Making of an American Symbol

ISBN: 0029281415
New York, NY, USA: Free Press, 1987. First Edition. Hardcover. “Douglas Freeman concedes in the introduction to one of his seven volumes on the life of Washington, that “the transformation of the quiet Virginia planter into the revered continental commander is beyond documentary explanation.” In truth, no combination of written documents and artifacts can in itself account for Washington’s rise to fame. Yet, from materials on Washington’s life and times, his elevation to national honor can at least be reconstituted, and then perhaps better understood. Washington was not a charismatic leader in Max Weber’s sense: His talents were not exceptional; he had no desire to bring about a radical change in his society; he did not distinguish himself by seizing and conquering power. Nothing about him reminds us of a great conqueror or shaper of history. But if Washington was not a charismatic leader, he was still the object of the most intense display of hero worship this nation has ever seen. To make sense of this veneration, nothing less is required than a revised conception of heroic leadership itself.”--Barry Schwartz, pg. 13. Barry Schwartz (1938-2021) was an American Sociologist who primarily studied the phenomena of Collective Memory. Offered today is the 1987 work George Washington: The Making of an American Symbol. An intense analysis and examination of the collective memory and veneration of the personage and myth of George Washington (1732-1799), George Washington: The Making of an American Symbol is a sociological masterwork that is deeply interested in the iconographic portrayal of the First U.S. President in American culture. From inside front flap of dust jacket: “In this first sustained history of America’s veneration of George Washington – published to coincide with the bicentennial of the Constitutional Convention – Schwartz probes the distinctive shape of our national vision and illuminates the process by which Americans made hero worship safe for democracy – and made Washington the symbol of America’s moral sentiments for centuries to come…” and “Demonstrating how a strong national sentiment emerged around Washington’s popular image, Schwartz describes the ceremonial observances (placenames in his honor, commemorations of his birth and death) and the rich iconography that are evidence of “the Washington cult.” By examining the moral characteristics attributed to Washington, Schwartz reveals the deeply held values of revolutionary America as well as those which remain central to our democratic culture today.” From the collection of Barbara (1935-2023) & Irving (1933-2018) Nusbaum - world travelers, connoisseurs, eminent collectors of art & books, and the dearly beloved late parents of our esteemed founder, Arthur S. Nusbaum. Hardcover in unclipped dust jacket. First edition though not explicated as such at copyright page, first printing as indicated by number sequence thereon. Book in very fine condition with only minor wear to fine edges; dust jacket in very fine condition with light wear to fine edges, and minor smudging/scratching to front and back covers. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #8549]

Price: $50.00