Synopsis
The Grand Idea follows George Washington in the critical period immediately after the War of Independence. The general had great hopes for his young nation, but also grave fears. He worried that the United States was so fragmented politically and culturally that it would fall apart, and that the "West," beyond the Appalachian mountains, would become a breakaway republic. So he came up with an ambitious scheme: He would transform the Potomac River into the nation's premier commercial artery, binding East and West, bolstering domestic trade, and staving off disunion. This was no armchair notion. Washington saddled up and rode west on a 680-mile trek to the raucous frontier of America.
Achenbach captures a Washington rarely seen: rugged frontiersman, real estate speculator, shrewd businessman. Even after his death, Washington's grand ambition inspired heroic engineering feats, including an audacious attempt to build a canal across the mountains to the Ohio River. But the country needed more than commercial arteries to hold together, and in the Civil War, the general's beloved river became a battlefield between North and South.
Like such classics as Undaunted Courage and Founding Brothers, Achenbach's riveting portrait of a great man and his grand plan captures the imagination of the new country, the passions of an ambitious people, and the seemingly endless beauty of the American landscape.
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About the Author
Joel Achenbach is a reporter for The Washington Post, and the author of seven books, including The Grand Idea, Captured by Aliens, and Why Things Are. A Washington Post staff writer since 1990, Achenbach writes about science and politics. He started the newspaper's first online column, "Rough Draft", and started the Washington Post's first blog, Achenblog. He regularly contributes science articles to National Geographic. A native of Gainesville, Florida and a graduate of Princeton University, he lives in Washington, DC with his wife and three children.
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The Grand Idea: George Washington's Potomac and the Race to the West
Published by
Simon & Schuster, New York, 2005
ISBN 10: 0743263006
ISBN 13: 9780743263009
Used
Softcover
First Edition
Seller: Hastings of Coral Springs, Altamonte Springs, FL, U.S.A.
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368 pages including index and notes, illustrated. Few signs of use. Seller Inventory # 24931
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The Grand Idea: George Washington's Potomac and the Race to the West
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
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Condition: Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # D05L-00548
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The Grand Idea: George Washington's Potomac and the Race to the West
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
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Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # J11C-01535
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The Grand Idea: George Washington's Potomac and the Race to the West
Seller: Books for Life, LAUREL, MD, U.S.A.
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Condition: very_good. Book is in very good condition. Clean with little to no signs of wear or markings highlights. Seller Inventory # LFM.6KZ6
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The Grand Idea: George Washington's Potomac and the Race to the West
Published by
Simon & Schuster (edition First Edition), 2005
ISBN 10: 0743263006
ISBN 13: 9780743263009
Used
Paperback
First Edition
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. First Edition. It's a preowned item in good condition and includes all the pages. It may have some general signs of wear and tear, such as markings, highlighting, slight damage to the cover, minimal wear to the binding, etc., but they will not affect the overall reading experience. Seller Inventory # 0743263006-11-1
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The Grand Idea : George Washington's Potomac and the Race to the West
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The Grand Idea : George Washington's Potomac and the Race to the West
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The Grand Idea : George Washington's Potomac and the Race to the West
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_427533603
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The Grand Idea: George Washington's Potomac and the Race to the West
Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_444920616