Review of George Washington's Wars with his Slave, Ona Judge
Posted: 01 Jul 2022, 11:08
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "George Washington's Wars with his Slave, Ona Judge" by James Wm. Chichetto.]
George Washington’s Wars with his Slave, Ona Judge, by James Wm. Chichetto, is a book written in verse. It goes between George Washington, and a slave his wife, Martha, owned, Ona Judge. Washington narrates some of the highlights of his career, while Ona Judge counters back with her viewpoint. There’s mention of Washington’s time during the French and Indian War, his time as head of the Continental Army, the Boston Tea Party, the East India Company and Valley Forge.
The part of the book I liked most was that it shows another side of history. Washington is largely hailed as a hero, but Ona Judge sees things a little differently. For example, Washington has a positive experience settling in the American colonies, but Ona Judge, as a slave, had a horrible experience. Ona Judge also mentions “bashing Native brains.” The treatment of Native Americans is often glossed over in history. Also, at one point Washington talks about how nicely he treated his slaves. I’m sure Ona Judge would agree that that didn’t matter.
The part of the book I liked least was the fact it was so hard to follow. It was hard to focus. I’ve read other books written in verse, and enjoyed them, but this book made very little sense to me. It’s hard to say what even happened in the book. For the majority of the book, Ona Judge and Washington aren’t speaking directly to each other. I think it may have been easier to understand if it was more of a debate, perhaps.
This book is written for an adult audience. There’s no way a child or even a teenager would understand it. The reader should also really love history. I’m certified to teach history, so I thought I would enjoy it, but I think it would be better suited for someone whose hobby is history. There’s also mention of rape and death, so if that’s triggering the reader should avoid this book.
I would rate George Washington’s Wars with his Slave, Ona Judge 2 out of 4 stars. I can’t rate it any higher because it was so hard to understand. I wouldn’t rate it a 1, though, because it was professionally edited, and I do think people who really, really love history might enjoy it.
George Washington’s Wars with his Slave, Ona Judge has an interesting premise. History buffs may want to give it a try!
******
George Washington's Wars with his Slave, Ona Judge
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
George Washington’s Wars with his Slave, Ona Judge, by James Wm. Chichetto, is a book written in verse. It goes between George Washington, and a slave his wife, Martha, owned, Ona Judge. Washington narrates some of the highlights of his career, while Ona Judge counters back with her viewpoint. There’s mention of Washington’s time during the French and Indian War, his time as head of the Continental Army, the Boston Tea Party, the East India Company and Valley Forge.
The part of the book I liked most was that it shows another side of history. Washington is largely hailed as a hero, but Ona Judge sees things a little differently. For example, Washington has a positive experience settling in the American colonies, but Ona Judge, as a slave, had a horrible experience. Ona Judge also mentions “bashing Native brains.” The treatment of Native Americans is often glossed over in history. Also, at one point Washington talks about how nicely he treated his slaves. I’m sure Ona Judge would agree that that didn’t matter.
The part of the book I liked least was the fact it was so hard to follow. It was hard to focus. I’ve read other books written in verse, and enjoyed them, but this book made very little sense to me. It’s hard to say what even happened in the book. For the majority of the book, Ona Judge and Washington aren’t speaking directly to each other. I think it may have been easier to understand if it was more of a debate, perhaps.
This book is written for an adult audience. There’s no way a child or even a teenager would understand it. The reader should also really love history. I’m certified to teach history, so I thought I would enjoy it, but I think it would be better suited for someone whose hobby is history. There’s also mention of rape and death, so if that’s triggering the reader should avoid this book.
I would rate George Washington’s Wars with his Slave, Ona Judge 2 out of 4 stars. I can’t rate it any higher because it was so hard to understand. I wouldn’t rate it a 1, though, because it was professionally edited, and I do think people who really, really love history might enjoy it.
George Washington’s Wars with his Slave, Ona Judge has an interesting premise. History buffs may want to give it a try!
******
George Washington's Wars with his Slave, Ona Judge
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon