Lafayette

The rousing story of Lafayetteaide-de-camp and ';adopted son' of George Washingtonexploring his vital role in the American Revolution.In this long-overdue history of Marquis Gilbert de Lafayette, acclaimed French author Gonzague Saint Bris recounts Lafayettes invaluable contributions to the American War of Independence and, later, the French Revolution of 1789. The first study of Lafayette to appear in almost ten years, Saint Bris' new volume recounts the young Lafayettes 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 fledgling American nation. Lafayette's presence at the British surrender at Yorktown is a stark reminder of just how closely our forefathers victory hinged on the help of our French allies, who were roused into action by Lafayette himself. equally absorbing and less well known is Lafayettes idealistic but naive efforts to plant the fruits of the American-style democracy he so admired in the unreceptive soil of his homeland.