Mount Vernon Love Story : A Novel of George and Martha Washington

Rating:
Summary: A sweet story.
Review: "Mount Vernon Love Story : A Novel of George and Martha Washington" is an interesting novel that depicts George Washington in a different light. I knew nothing about his marriage to his wife Martha (who would rather to be called Patsy), or about his home, Mount Vernon. No one can know his thoughts and emotions, so I do wonder if he had such an austere mind. All I know is that the Washington's marriage is one to be looked up to. I recommend.

Rating:
Summary: A sweet story.
Review: "Mount Vernon Love Story : A Novel of George and Martha Washington" is an interesting novel that depicts George Washington in a different light. I knew nothing about his marriage to his wife Martha (who would rather to be called Patsy), or about his home, Mount Vernon. No one can know his thoughts and emotions, so I do wonder if he had such an austere mind. All I know is that the Washington's marriage is one to be looked up to. I recommend.

Rating:
Summary: A sweet story.
Review: "Mount Vernon Love Story : A Novel of George and Martha Washington" is an interesting novel that depicts George Washington in a different light. I knew nothing about his marriage to his wife Martha (who would rather to be called Patsy), or about his home, Mount Vernon. No one can know his thoughts and emotions, so I do wonder if he had such an austere mind. All I know is that the Washington's marriage is one to be looked up to. I recommend.

Rating:
Summary: A Different Kind of Love!
Review: A compelling story of a love that is timeless, a love that gave meaning to life...for the first President of the United States! How unique! Provides a peek into the soul of a the reluctant warrior and President, a man who remained very deeply in love with his beloved 'Patsy' over the course of a lifetime. It is this kind of love that surpasses mere passion and transforms lives. Interesting enough, just finished reading Shade of the Maple by Kirk Martin, in which this same kind of lifelong, intimate love is portrayed. You'll have a new respect for George Washington!

Rating:
Summary: Mount Vernon Love Story
Review: An interesting side of George Washington I'm sure most people hadn't thought about. From his domineering mother Mary, to his lost love Sally Fairfax, to Martha "Patsy" Custis, GW didn't seem to have much luck with the women in his life. I didn't realize that GW never had children of his own and that he didn't particularly care for him mother. Living in Fredericksburg this novelization of GW's love life adds an interesting dimension to the Father of our country. Sparse on real detail.

Rating:
Summary: GEORGE WASHINGTON'S LOVE LIFE
Review: An interesting side of George Washington I'm sure most people hadn't thought about. From his domineering mother Mary, to his lost love Sally Fairfax, to Martha "Patsy" Custis, GW didn't seem to have much luck with the women in his life. I didn't realize that GW never had children of his own and that he didn't particularly care for him mother. Living in Fredericksburg this novelization of GW's love life adds an interesting dimension to the Father of our country. Sparse on real detail.

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Summary: Exciting biography
Review: George Washington's father died when the future president was young. His mother was a harsh disciplinarian insuring George and his siblings behaved. George seemed to flee her whenever he could get away spending time at his half-brother's Mount Vernon home (yes - that historical home). George's first love is Sally Fairfax and his chosen profession surveyor, but war seemed to be his destiny. First he fought (unsuccessfully) during the French and Indian War and then the American Revolution.

This biography uses Washington's retirement to Mount Vernon with his beloved Patsy (Martha's nickname) as a focal point for looking back over the lives of the first president and his spouse. The book concentrates on his personal life not his public life. Thus, readers see another side to Washington. Though opinions are interspersed throughout, mystery suspense thriller writer Mary Higgins Clark provides a strong insightful look at Washington and literally the first "First Lady" that historical readers will enjoy.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Mr. Washington Goes to Mount Vernon
Review: Having recently visited Mount Vernon on vacation, I was very interested to read "Mount Vernon Love Story" by Mary Higgins Clark since I assumed it would lead into further insight of the relationship between George and Martha ("Patsy") Washington. Not only did it delve deeper into their relationship than was learned on the visit to their home, but it also provided a deeper insight into the history of the United States.

The book's chapters alternate between the beginning of George and Martha's relationship and the end of his presidency. It's a very clever way of storytelling, and each chapter leads into the next with grace, bouncing between time.

I must admit that this is the first book I've ever read by Mary Higgins Clark, so I am not familiar with her writing style. And I am sure that this book of history is quite different from her mystery books. It is her first book, however, and it shows.

The love story in the title is more the love of Mount Vernon -- the home, the grounds, the idea of it, etc. -- than the love story between George and Martha Washington. It's about the growth of Mount Vernon and the love its owners and visitors had for it. And why they couldn't stop being excited returning to it day after day.

Although I wasn't that drawn into the book and the romance between George and Martha, it was intriguing to learn some details about the Washingtons' lives. I especially enjoyed the chapter involving George introducing Martha to his domineering mother for the first time. Here, I felt drawn into the characters and loved the interaction between them. George tries to keep his temper in place over his mother's criticisms while Martha calms him down with her gentle touch. Unfortunately, this type of character development did not seem to continue through the rest of the book.

It was definitely an enjoyable read, but I guess I was hoping for something more.

Rating:
Summary: A nice change of pace...
Review: I don't normally read Mary Higgins Clark's books, but I decided to give this one a try. It was a fast and interesting read, and I enjoyed it very much.

This book was first written in 1969, and is being republished for the first time. It's a book that flashes between George Washington leaving the Presidency in 1797, and his memories of his life, from the beginning, then to when he met Martha ("Patsy") Custis. He grows fonder and fonder of Patsy, and when she is widowed with two young children to raise, he realizes that he really does love her, and marries her. We also read of the trials and tribulations of their life together, and of Washington's many accomplishments and defeats. I'm not sure how historically accurate this book really is, but I enjoyed it. Clark makes the people come alive, and we really do care about George and Patsy. A nice surprize from a book that I didn't think I'd like!

Rating:
Summary: The Romantic Tale of a Mighty Man
Review: I highly recommend the reading of "Mount Vernon Love Story". Though it is a historical account of George Washington, author Mary Higgins Clark remains true to her romantic writing nature. Previously produced as "Aspire to the Heavens", Clark paints an intimate portrait of the man, his life, and his passions. She deviates from the traditional accounts of him which are typically told from a political standpoint. This makes for interesting reading. You get the feeling you have come to know him in a personal way. Consequently, some facts are lost in the account. Therefore, this book is not for those desiring recounts of political accomplishments and historical timelines.

Clark depicts Washington's first love, Mount Vernon. He often escaped to his brother's home as a teenager to avoid his temperamental mother. As a young man away at war, he constantly thought about Mount Vernon and contemplated the next improvements he would make upon his return. "In his mind he was hundreds of miles away and just arriving at Mount Vernon. Eagerly he pictured the last few moments of that journey ." His life seemed always to be a journey to return to Mount Vernon.

Though Mount Vernon was George Washington's first love, Clark portrays Patsy as Washington's "true love". She contradicts the view of many that Washington was always in love with another woman. "Through half-closed eyes he watched as the firelight caught the touches of gold in her shiny brown hair...at this moment as he took Patsy [Custis] into his arms, her very smallness made him feel overwhelmingly protective ." As I read I felt the passion and appreciation he had for his wife. I also came to believe that contrary to historical retellings, George Washington's "true love" was Patsy. Though he fancied ideas of another woman, no one could have contented him the way Patsy did.

The chronological story concludes as it began. Patsy is by Washington's side as he approaches his beloved Mount Vernon home.

I sincerely enjoyed getting to know the heart of George Washington. He came alive to me as more than just a figure from the past. His strong passions and love make him a man to be remembered and modeled after. I was both inspired and touched and look forward to reading this book again.