Constituting America – Constituting America's Fall 2015 Gratitude Auction
Auction Ends: Nov 27, 2015 11:59 PM EST

Autographed Books

"FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM AND GENERAL WASHINGTON" by Michael Justin Lee, Signed!

Item Number
288
Estimated Value
8 USD
Sold
18 USD to CivilEngineer
Number of Bids
3  -  Bid History

Item Description

Michael Justin Lee will autograph book and mail to winning bidder!
 
A Recommended Book of the Mamie Eisenhower Library Project! 
"Brimming with excitement while effectively teaching history...Lee has a real talent for capturing the young mind and conveying complex ideas in terms young readers will understand." Kirkus Reviews
 

Biography:

Michael Justin Lee is the author of "Fighting for Freedom and General Washington" and the editor of the historical anthologies "Heroes of American Freedom" and "Heroes of American Prosperity." He is a graduate of Brown University and NYU and has taught on the faculties of Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, American, George Mason, and Loyola Maryland. Professor Lee is a past member of the University Senate at the University of Maryland and multiple time recipient of the school of business' highest teaching honors.

Professor Lee is a member of the Authors Guild, the National Press Club, and the Dramatists Guild of America. His stage play, "Grandmothers," was produced Off-Broadway in 2013, the same year that he was honored at the American Society of Journalists and Authors' Outstanding Book Awards for his personal finance book, "The Chinese Way to Wealth and Prosperity: 8 Timeless Strategies for Achieving Financial Success" (McGraw-Hill, 2012).
 
"Fighting for Freedom and General Washington":
"Thirteen year old twins from Virginia, Amanda and Alexander Lee, have yearned for adventure off the family farm all their young lives. Their opportunity arises when fellow Virginian, George Washington, is commissioned as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in 1775. Three years too young to enlist, Alexander devises an audacious deception to serve under General Washington. Meanwhile, Amanda devises an even greater deception and fights with many of the Revolutionary War's greatest heroes. Through the struggle and turmoil of the American Revolution, Amanda and Alexander spend the entirety of their teen years in service to their country, earning an education in honor and patriotism."
 
" Michael Justin Lee, the editor of the historical anthologies, “Heroes of American Freedom” and “Heroes of American Prosperity,” is a graduate of Brown University and NYU. He has taught at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins among other universities. Professor Lee is a member of the Authors Guild, the National Press Club, and the Dramatists Guild of America and a former member of the University Senate at the University of Maryland. His stage play, “Grandmothers,” was produced Off-Broadway in 2013, the same year that he was honored at the American Society of Journalists and Authors’ Outstanding Book Awards for his first book, “The Chinese Way to Wealth and Prosperity: 8 Timeless Strategies for Achieving Financial Success” (McGraw-Hill, 2012)."

Item Special Note

Please read these wonderful REVIEWS:
 
By  Laurie Cockerell on June 29, 2014
 
"Oh, how I wish this book had been around when I was studying American history! Instead of memorizing dates and battles, I could have read all about the American Revolution in this riveting story about 13 year old twins who join in the fight for American independence. The book follows the siblings throughout various battles, where we are introduced to important historical figures, places, and events. I plan on using this book as a literature-based study of the Revolution with my homeschooled children. And with youthful characters as the book's protagonists, teens will empathize and likely remember this story - and history - for a very long time."
 
By Nicole Sorkin on July 10, 2014, Pacific Book Review
 
"Born as twins thirteen years prior, Alexander and Amanda Lee had been inseparable since that time. They had grown up in a loving household, a small farm in Virginia during the 1700′s. Both found safety and support on this farm; as part of a famous family, their parents were able to provide them with a well-developed education, including tutoring in language and literature. They grew to be more than simply intelligent and learned, though. Through the attention of their parents and congregants of their local church, both Alexander and Amanda became quite skillful in the use of guns as well as hard labor on the farm. Throughout it all, the virtues of faith, patriotism and family became the focus of their lives.

When revolution swept through the colonies, however, they knew that they must be a part of the battle for independence from Britain. Having been brought up with stories of their famous uncle, Richard Lee, they wanted to experience all that the larger world had to offer, despite the dangers of war. Finding a way to join the battle became a passion for both. A larger boy, Alexander would be able to pass for sixteen, old enough to enlist properly in the Continental Army. Through a bit more trickery and cunning, Amanda would soon follow, learning fighting skills that would be necessary for the victory of the burgeoning military of the country that would be America. Along the way, they would meet the most illustrious figures of the time, including General Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Despite the challenges that they faced over the years, Alexander and Amanda remained true to their values as well as each other.

In Fighting for Freedom and General Washington, Michael Justin Lee provides readers with an engrossing, historically-based novel for young adults. Although a tale of two youthful twins entering war might seem questionable at first glance, the plot is well executed and believable, avoiding many of the common pitfalls found in similar writings. The introduction of historical figures such as Washington and Franklin is not contrived but rather accurate based on their writings as well as their activities during the war. Too, these entrances of famous founding fathers and fighters are smoothly written and steer clear of lengthy paragraphs of explanatory material. Additionally, the language of the novel is appropriate for the time period and still readily understandable by today's young readers. All things considered, Lee's novel has a well-paced plot, enjoyable writing style, and certainly maintains a historical accuracy in its presentation.

Indeed, Lee has done an amazing job of writing a historical novel for young adults that will teach, inspire, and entertain. In a market that seems dominated by zombies and vampires, his Fighting for Freedom and General Washington definitely will appeal to more conservative readers who will appreciate the values that form the basis for the work. Parents--especially those that are homeschooling or perhaps simply want to spur some interest in American history among their children--will find this novel a perfect starting point for discussion or perhaps a companion to related study. Written for younger readers, this novel is also appropriate for adult readers who want an easy and patriotic read. Michael Justin Lee's Fighting for Freedom and General Washington offers something for every reader and is a welcome addition to the young adult books now available."
 
 
By  Jackye Toth on August 1, 2014
 
"Fighting for Freedom and General Washington is a wonderful story for young and seasoned readers alike. Michael Lee captures the readers attention with two head strong and Patriotic characters while reminding the reader of the importance of love of country and genuine patriotism. As a teacher and a mom of two teens, I enjoyed going down this historical journey with the determined characters Amanda and Alexander."