George vs. George

There are two sides to every story. Rosalyn Schanzer’s engaging and wonderfully illustrated book brings to life two sides of the American Revolution—reissued with a gorgeous new cover and a new foreword in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

Our narrative introduces anew two enemies, both named George: George Washington, the leader who helped free the American colonies from the British, and George III, the British king who lost them. Two leaders on different sides of the Atlantic, yet with more in common than we sometimes acknowledge.

Rosalyn Schanzer leads us through their story, and the story of their times, illustrating each side of the argument that divided the colonies from the Kingdom. Was King George a “Royal Brute” as American patriots claimed? Or was he, as others believed, “the father of the people?” Was George Washington a scurrilous traitor, as all the king’s supporters claimed? Or should we remember and celebrate him as “the father of his country?” Who was right? The answer might not be so black-and-white.

Schanzer’s book is a deeply researched and accessible account of one of the most vital periods in American history. It is also a timeless lesson in seeing history from different points of view. Her illustrations and creative use of first-person quotations bring the Revolution back to life, and allow the characters of the period to speak for themselves. Through its lively text, detailed illustrations, and fully authenticated quotes, George vs. George shines fresh light on two sides of the story of our country’s formative years.