"This collection of essays explores the role that the geography and diverse inhabitants of this burgeoning area played in molding Washington's life, temperament, and politics. Written by authoritative Washington scholars - including John E. Ferling, Don Higginbotham, Robert D. Mitchell, Dorothy Twohig, Bruce A. Ragsdale, J. Frederick Fausz, and Philander D. Chase - these essays present the young leader against the complex and changing backdrop of the West." "As a whole, this book offers a fine and multi-faceted analysis of the environmental factors that influenced the development of America's founder. Individually, each essay demonstrates that Washington's story and Virginia's are the same tale - no where else are "place" and "personality" so closely linked."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved