Lafayette

Hero of the American Revolution

By: Gonzague Saint Bris

Narrated by: Fajer Al-Kaisi

The rousing story of Lafayette - “adopted son” of George Washington - and his vital role in the American Revolution.

In this long-overdue history of Marquis Gilbert de Lafayette, acclaimed French author Gonzague Saint Bris recounts Lafayette’s invaluable contributions to the American War of Independence and, later, the French Revolution of 1789.

Saint Bris’s new volume recounts the young Lafayette’s personal friendship with George Washington, who went so far as to refer to Lafayette as his “adopted son,” and his pivotal role as Washington’s aide-de-camp in helping establish the fledging American nation.

©2010 George Holoch (P)2013 Audible Inc.

More like "FRENCH HISTORY... with occasional guest appearances by Lafayette"

The book was interesting, introductory lesson on the French and American revolutions and the events that set off the French Revolution. However, to title the book "Lafayette", when literally – and I mean literally – only half its pages cover Lafayette's life, is pretty misleading.

Biography?

It was not what I expected. Not bad, but as much French history as biography. Lafayette is featured more prominently in the second half of the book. Given the emphasis on French history, the subtitle, “Hero of the American Revolution,” is something of a misnomer.

A History of France in the time of Lafayette

What would have made Lafayette better?

If it had focused on Lafayette.This book is about France and the doings there during Lafayette's lifetime FAR more than Lafayette. It's as if the book was written and the publisher decided a book on Lafayette would sell better, and instructed the author to pad the book with a few extra Lafayette sequences.

Would you ever listen to anything by Gonzague Saint Bris again?

No.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

He could have chosen a better book to read or one whose subject matched the title.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The last couple of chapters focused on Lafayette and were, thus, what I was looking to hear.

Any additional comments?

I came away with no greater understanding of Lafayette's contribution to the Revolutionary War than before. Got almost not indication of WHY Lafayette was considered such an important General in the war. Will be looking for another book for that, I guess.