Internet Takes on John, Paul, George & Ben

Over at Boston 1775, I've posted my analysis of Lane Smith's new picture book about some American Revolutionary leaders, John, Paul, George & Ben.

To add some fantasy content, here's a link to Snopes.com's discussion of a supposed angelic prophecy to George Washington at Valley Forge, printed in 1880 in the newspaper of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union veterans' group. And here's a taste of the original text:

". . . 'Son of the Republic,' said the same mysterious voice as before, 'look and learn.' At that moment I beheld a dark, shadowy being as an angel standing, or rather floating, in mid-air between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of his hand, he cast some on Europe. Immediately a cloud raised from these countries, and joined in mid-ocean. For a while it remained stationary, and then moved slowly westward until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of lightning gleamed through it at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people. A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it out as before. The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean, in whose billows it sank from view. . ."

Naturally, this crazy story has gained a new life on the internet.