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(More customer reviews)Gilbert de Motier de Lafayette, in honor of whom our National Guard is named, was truly the first knight of America, pure-hearted, and altruistic. This book chronicles the beloved "adopted" son of George Washington, who at 19 barely escaped arrest by King Louis XVI to come to fight for our cause. He was the key link in securing French aid that made the critical difference in our victory at Yorktown. Read how Washington had implicit trust in his talents as a great general charging him with cornering Lord Cornwallis in the southern campaign of the Rev War, with the future of our country at stake. The book clearly states Lafayette's role. A friend of Alexander Hamilton, Lafayette gave his fortune, his valor and his heart to the cause of our freedom not as a Frenchman, but as an American General. Read how he commanded with love and the example of his own leadership. Allow me to further enhance the value of Lafayette to our American heritage that the book omits, but is well detailed in Harlow Giles Unger's "Lafayette", which I recommend as a companion book. (Available on Amazon.com) Unger brings to live endearing stories that illuminate the personality of Lafayette and his value to America. While this book gives other specific accounts not detailed by Unger, especially the political dynamics of the time, Unger provides other details not covered in the writing style of Tower, typical of his time.( Eg.Upon Lafayette's visit to America in 1824, thousands of people thronged the streets to see him. Arches were built in the then 24 states and banquets were given in his honor; his picture was printed on everything from dishes, ladies gloves, arm bands and money. Upon his death America mourned him more than Washington, for more than a month officially. John Quincy Adams gave a 3-hour eulogy to a black-draped Congress, comparing Lafayette's pure heart to being a little below the angels.) Childhood heroics and teen-age antics and disdain for the frivalty of the French courts add to Lafayette's charm in Unger's book, as well as his military savvy and ingenuity, but again,this was not the style of wrting in Towers'day,yet Tower gives other insightful accounts and is held to be a valuable author. I most highly recommend this book for the serious reader, as well as the reader looking for an over-all view of Lafayette's time in America(not going back to Lafayette's formative years in France.) I have many books on Lafayette, and consider this a very valuable asset.
Lafayette's importance in our history and therefore why this book is beneficial,is reflected in the fact that the ship on which Lafayette returned to America with French aid, the Hermione,is being reconstructed in France and is scheduled to sail to America in 2012. Ask yourself why over 600 America schools, organizations, cities, streets, counties etc. in America are named for Lafayette.(Eg. Lafayette College, The American Friends of Lafayette, the Massachusetts Lafayette Society.) This book will illuminate the fact that the name of Lafayette should be near and dear to our hearts and lips as is the name of George Washington, whose reputed stoic heart was won over by the endearing Lafayette. Together with Unger's book you will feel great American pride in claiming Lafayette as a founding father and an American treasure.
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