Not George Washington

by P.G. Wodehouse and Herbert Westbrook

Book Overview

Not George Washington also invites readers to reflect on the nature of talent, fame, failure and success, villainy and honor--themes which continued to recur in the author's work for another sixty... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 082640006X
• ISBN13: 9780826400062
• Release Date: January 1980
• Publisher: Continuum
• Length: 205 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A comic auto-bio!

Oh Mr. Wodehouse! One of the finest witty wordsmiths who ever picked up a pen. When I need a smile, or a lift, or even a roll on the floor laugh I turn to one of the many wonderful works of Wodehouse. This is PG's own story, for part of his life in the US...working for a newspaper...the same turn of phrase, wit and farce is just as evident here! So many to choose from, and each one is from a different period in PG 'Plum' to his friends - life. While my favorite character is Psmith, how can I not enjoy the mutterings of Ukridge, or long to have my life saved from disasters by the likes of Jeeves. Stephen Fry wrote 'Without Wodehouse I am not sure I would be a tenth of what I am today...his writings awoke me to the possibilities of language. His rhythms, tropes, tricks and mannerisms are deep within me. But more than that, he taught me something about good nature. It IS enough to be benign, to be gentle, to be funny, to be kind. As laughter is the best medicine, perhaps we need a good dose of Wodehouse from time to time, and during these bleak winter months, in the dark time of the economy, Wodehouse is just what the Doctor ordered!

A funny way to write about one's self!

This summer I am determined to read as much PG Wodehouse as possible before the fall and work begins. I feel if I have lots of fun, laughs and smile often it will carry me thru the winter. In Not George Washington, you will meet PG Wodehouse himself for the first time in this delightful description of his wacky, and witty time in the world of US newspapers. I had a laugh on each page, loved every minute of it - and I can tell you after reading Wodehouse on Wodehouse, it really does make the world easier to live in! Give yourself a break and read Wodehouse! I enjoyed reading the man writing about himself, he is able to laugh at his expense and that speaks well of him! You'll enjoy it!

A must for the fans!

Swine flu or the recession got you down? Are you pinned against the ropes? Have you got the blues? Melancholia got you in its grip? Worried that Obama may not be able to get your brother-in-law the job running US Steel and thus off your couch? .... Fear not! The cry goes out: P.G. Wodehouse to the rescue! There is nothing like a good Wodehouse read to cheer one up, not a pill, not a drink, not a men or women - just Wodehouse! Wodehouse is what the doctor ordered to tickle you in the funny bone and get a smile going on the old face. In his only `autobiography' Not George Washington is a semi-autobiographical novel by P. G. Wodehouse, written in collaboration with a friend. It was first published back in 1907 so it's not his complete life. But the novel is a humorous, fictionalized account his early years as a journalist - lots of fun about newspapers. If you LOVE Wodehouse, you will enjoy this account of his life....and have many laughs too!

His own story, in his words, with other names!

Just like Wodehouse - to write about himself with humor and openness. As far as our house is concerned, PG Wodehouse this is the best comic authors ever. It's understandable that Stephen Fry, Douglass Adams, and Hugh Laurie all praise him. In each of his books he brings a smile, a laugh, or even a giggle out loud. This was British comedy before Python, (and while different, the use of wit, satire, etc, makes Wodehouse a master). I used to read this book in university, pretending to listen to some lecture. These great literary treasures need to be discovered again by a new generation. Pass this book to someone who has never heard of Jeeves, Wooster, Psmith, Ukridge, Blandings, or Sally. If you are a fan, then you'll enjoy reading about the man who made it all possible: and you'll laugh as you do!

I enjoyed reading the background about a writer that has given me such pleasure

Not George Washington the semi-autobiographical novel by P. G. Wodehouse, was written in collaboration with Herbert Westbrook. First published in the U.K. in the early 1900's. The book is a humorous, fictionalized account of Wodehouse's early years as a journalist and the read will see some of the real life side of Wodehouse. Some readers are not prepared for seeing their hero reveal some personal details, but who is perfect and willing to write about it? Some people get very judgmental but I enjoyed reading the background about a writer that has given me such pleasure.