“How believable is this book?”
A History of the Life and Death, Virtues and Exploits of General George Washington was written by Mason Weems. Weems was born 1759 and died in 1825. working as a evnagical book seller and auhtor, he wrote George washington’s first biography after he died. According to Wikipedia, “Some popular stories about Washington thought during the 20th century to be apocryphal can be traced to Weems, including the cherry tree tale (“I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet”).”
Many argue the factual content may not be so. Some argue a reason for Weems to have pushed a lie or special narrative, was A young nation had just lost a hero. There was a need for consolling and reminiscing, while inspiring the American spirit. Many point to Weem’s account as doing so. Like stated Previously, Weems told the false tale of chopping the cherry tree down with a hatchet. Meaning to spark honesty, he wrote washington could not tell a lie.
Another discrediting factor to Weems’ tale was that weems himself often included his own personal opinions and resoluitions to the story he included. While claiming the book was Biographical. While this did leave to more interesting story telling, it was misleading and more fiction that fact.
Although Weems bent the truth to push a greater more heroic version of Washington, it truly did give a greiving young nation hope. I do believe, at the time people needed a figure to look to, and get hope from. While alive, Washington was very popular, and always was respected.
Without Weems account, Washington would never become the larger than life, face of freedom that he is today. We can attribute Weems for pushing strong, Honest, American values. Even though it isn’t believable, it still has a lasting impact on the American spirit and ideology.
JBSchool 