For Liberty and Glory: Washington, Lafayette, and Their Revolutions

by James R. Gaines and Gaines. James R.

Book Overview

On April 18, 1775, a riot over the price of flour broke out in the French city of Dijon. That night, across the Atlantic, Paul Revere mounted the fastest horse he could find and kicked it into a gallop.So began what have been called the "sister revolutions" of France and America. In a single, thrilling narrative, this book tells the story of those revolutions and shows just how deeply intertwined they actually were. Their leaders, George Washington...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393061388
• ISBN13: 9780393061383
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 2.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.6" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Gaines we are here

This is excellent history demonstrating the friendship of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette as well as the connections between the American and French Revolutions. Gaines shows us how much the French Revolution was a result--primarily economic--of the American and the book flows from one to the other across the Atlantic with great ease replete with nobles and scoundrels along the way. But it is the character of Lafayette which is drawn so beautifully and heartfelt. For those who know much about Washington but less about Lafayette, I cannot recommend this story highly enough. Touching at times, poignant, it is not only informative but is indeed a joy to read.

A Fascinating Look at the Hero of Two Worlds and The Father of Our Nation

The Marquis de Lafayette seems to be enjoying a resurgence of popularity, with two new books on him and an exhibit at the New York Historical Society in 2007-8 dedicated to his (massively popular) tour of America in 1824-5. Considering that I have loved Lafayette since we learned about him in middle school American history, I am happy for this new-found enthusiasm. And Lafayette deserves the attention. He is the "Hero of Two Worlds" who, despite his birth into a wealthy and prestigious French family, believed in the ideals of the American Revolution and fought in the Continental Army without pay. After that revolution ended he tried to make his home country a better place, but his moderate position (he advocated a constitutional monarchy) was ultimately at odds with the bloody, radical affair that the French Revolution became. One of the aspects that interests many Americans about Lafayette is his close relationship with George Washington. Although Gaines shies away from the traditional view of Lafayette and Washington's relationship as that of a surrogate father and son, he does show their close friendship and the deep respect they both had for each other. Gaines' book is a highly readable, insightful and incredibly interesting look at the American and French Revolutions through the lives of Washington and Lafayette. He traces both countries through the time period, so the reader gets a good view of both Old Regime France and post-revolutionary America and thus has a better understanding of how events in one country influenced decisions in another. Gaines also introduces a fascinating cast of characters that were involved in the events, including the other Founding Fathers, the resourceful playwright Beaumarchais (who wrote the plays Marriage of Figaro and Barber of Seville), and the cross-dressing French spy, the Cheavlier d'Eon. Gaines' portrayal of his two main protagonists, Washington and Lafayette, gives the reader a good feel for what they were like and will likely leave the reader very impressed with both. FOR LIBERTY AND GLORY is a perfect read for anyone interested in Washington, Lafayette, the revolutions they fought in and the formation of America after the revolution ended.

Lafayette steals the show

James Gaines has posted quite an accomplishment with this book. Artfully he assembles a mountain of research and weaves the best pieces into a cohesive whole. You will learn fascinating things about America's founders,and also about the various factions and personalities of the French Revolution. I thought that Lafayette stole the show. Washington was willing to risk all to bring liberty and stability to a new nation, and won. Lafayette was equally willing to risk all to bring liberty and stability to an old nation, after having already helped bring those blessings to us. Since his task was impossible, he lost. Nevertheless, his idealism and sense of duty allowed him to keep his honor. It is rare that a work of history will engage your emotions the way this one does. Just remember, it is scholarly, lengthy, and demanding. But worth it. James Gaines is the former editor of Time magazine.