Rating: 
Summary: Not what I expected but still very good
Review: I read this book under it's original title of "Aspire to the Heavens" and was pleasantly surprised. I picked it up expecting a suspense story by my favorite author and found instead a well written tale about the relationship between George and Martha Washington. The era is well researched and the Washington's relationship is human and believable.
My only complaint about the book is it seemed somewhat short to me. I found myself wanting more. I felt like certain events were glossed over and could have been woven into the plot more.
Still, it's an excellent read and a major departure from the "Queen of Suspense".
Rating: 
Summary: VERY light reading
Review: I still don't know Washington any better. I wish she would've added a small ending explaining why the author chose to go into some subjects and neglect others entirely. Weird. This is supposed to be a love story, but we mostly read about George's passion for his neighbor; or his house. Where is this love story in the body of the text? They apparently like each other, George and Martha...
Some of the story looks like it is taken from their letters. But the author assures us it is all true. There is not much to the story---love or otherwise. Washington doesn't care for much---the Presidency or the way Martha spoils her children. He is stiff because his mom was a hag---another part played up. As for his Revolutionary campaigns or life in the White House, look elsewhere, baby!
I believe I saw somewhere that this was Clarks first book. That explains A LOT. Its a short story. Readable, not boring.
But I still feel like I know very little about George and Martha and their relationship together. But obviously it was written with love and admiration!
Would I recommend it? Sure, why not. Go for it. Don't expect much.
Rating: 
Summary: Dull
Review: I was disappointed. I have read all of the author's books and found this one dull. Good thing it was small, or I might not have finished reading it. This should have been a short story rather than a novel. Plot: Washington falls for a woman already married. Marries someone else--a good mate, but perhaps not his soul mate. End of story. Also, I found the switching back and forth of time periods distracting and confusing. Not her best work!
Rating: 
Summary: Boooring
Review: I was looking forward to reading this book after my trip to "Mount Vernon", Virginia......What a dissapointment!! The story drags on and on without a clear path. With every chapter you switch back and forth in time. The characters are not well developed and the LOVE relationship between the main characters is so weakly portrayed. I really like Mary Higgins Clark's mystery books, this one, though is a thumbs down for sure!!!
Rating:
Summary: Didn't love the love stsory
Review: I was really expecting to fall in love with this book after reading all of the other positive reviews, but have to admit that I was disappointed. I did enjoy the historical aspect of the book and I did learn many interesting tidbits about Washington's life that I previously did not know. But I never felt the "love story" aspect until the last ten pages or so. It was obvious that George felt deep emotion for Martha (or Patsy, as he called her), but it seemed more of a comfort, security and convenience based relationship on his part. Clark refers to their love for eachother repetitively, but I was never able to feel the passion of it until the last pages when the dialogue actually contained the words, "I love you." The only thing Washington truly showed any outward passion for was his home, Mount Vernon. And an ongoing obsession with an old friend's wife.
I found myself disappointed in Washington's demeanor and motivations. There was a perpetually underlying theme of depression and he never seemed happy with his lot in life (he would definitely be in therapy if he was alive now). I got the impression that he resented having been chosen as our first President and I found myself resenting him in return. It spoiled my childhood illusions of our great leader.
The book contained little depth and the conversations were simple and bland. Clark's writing style is simple and reflects a style that is used simply for the mass marketing of a book;one that will appeal to the general population. The style lacks originality and individuality.
Overall, this book was a quick and easy read. The story was simple and the plot superficial. It was generally pleasant, but not close to being on of those books you just can't put down.
Rating: 
Summary: BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY
Review: I was so touched by reading Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark.
It depicts a man who became our first President's private life.You can actually see how Martha was when she was young and having her children, and the love of George for her and them-They were his after they wed. I was so touched reading this book I had the tissue box next to me and had a tough time putting it down. I ordered a 2nd one for a friend who felt the same as I.Thank you Mrs Clark and how about more like this one?
Rating:
Summary: A romantic view of a great man
Review: I wish I had read this book (Aspire to the Heavens is the original title) when I was first discovering history. Maybe then I would have been more interested in the American Revolution and its leaders a lot sooner in my life. This book, well-written, just piqued my interest in George Washington and his wife, Martha "Patsy" Washington. I know nothing of the first couple ~~ and now, after reading Clark's book, I am intrigued. This book is a very quick read. It skips around a bit but still flows into a rhythm that you can follow. It is part memory lane for George Washington as he reflects on his life as he leaves the presidency of the country he had helped shaped. It is part history ~~ Clark writes this book based on historical facts. But the history lover in me is not satisfied by the historical crumbs thrown my way ~~ the point is, Clark writes very movingly of George Washington and the affair of his heart. And this is an incredibly romantic novel ~~ one that gives a flattering image of George. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in reading historical fiction ~~ if you want to try reading this genre, this book would be the one I'd start with. It's very interesting and tells you a bit about the historical time period and tells you about the love affair George Washington has with his wife. Now that Clark has piqued my interest in the American Revolution with this book ~~ I will be undoubtly grateful for her in writing this. 3-16-03
Rating:
Summary: Charming Historical Fiction-Ms. Clark a Master of ALL Genres
Review: I've always enjoyed Mary Higgins Clark's mysteries and this historical love story has proven to me that Ms. Clark is more than a great mistress of suspense - she is quite capable of entertaining in other genres as well! This charming historical novel was actually the author's first novel, originally published in 1968 under the title "Aspire to the Heavens". It was re-released in 2002 and I can't think of a more appropriate time to do so! With the tragic attacks on our nation on September 11, 2001, it is wonderful to read this highly-readable, well-researched novel about George Washington - the man who helped to give us the freedoms we so enjoy today! As Washington passes the presidential torch onto John Adams and returns to his beloved Mount Vernon, both he and his wife Martha (aka Patsy)flashback to their younger years. We're so used to stodgy accounts of Washington's military victories and political accomplishments that it was a pleasure to read a well-crafted story about Washington as a man and a husband. This is a short novel and a fast-read so it's a great beach or airplane book. I would love to see it made into a television movie, perhaps to be aired on George Washington's birthday!
Rating:
Summary: Mislead....A History Book
Review: I've read all her novels and expected a mistery, I was mislead its a war/history novel and boring.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to Clark's standards.
Review: Mount Vernon Love Story, a biographical novel by suspense, mystery writer Mary Higgins Clark is actually her first novel published in 1969. It pre-dates all her encounters with murder, mayhem, crime investigations and of course Kay Scarpetta. The work was originally published as Aspire to the Heavens which was George Washington's mother's family motto.
The book begins as Washington is getting ready to leave the Presidency to attend the inauguration of John Adams. The novel takes place in the present 1797 and is a series of flashbacks following Washington as an army officer in colonial campaigns against the French and Indians in the Ohio valley up to the American Revolution.
Clark tells us of his affection for Sally Carey to Martha Patsy Curtis, the widow with two children he eventually marries. Martha was called Patsy by her father and of course George. (As Lady Bird Johnson was never called Claudia, the first first lady was never addressed as Martha.) George always called her "my dearest Patsy" and her referred to him as "my old man."
From a historian's point of view Mount Vernon Love Story is an interesting short book. It's not the type of book I would like to see again by this wonderful author.
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