Author: Patricia Brady
Genre: Nonfiction, History, Biography
Publisher: Penguin Books
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 280
Source: Personal Collection
Synopsis: With this revelatory and painstakingly researched book, Martha Washington, the invisible woman of American history, at last gets the biography she deserves.
In place of the domestic frump of popular imagination, Patricia Brady resurrects the wealthy, attractive, and vivacious young widow who captivated the youthful George Washington. Here are the able landowner, the indomitable patriot (who faithfully joined her husband each winter at Valley Forge), and the shrewd diplomat and emotional mainstay. And even as it brings Martha Washington into sharper and more accurate focus, this sterling life sheds light on her marriage, her society, and the precedents she established for future First Ladies.
My Review: Martha Washington is most famous for being the first First Lady of the United States of America. She was the wife of the famous President George Washington. She has often been portrayed as a frumpy old woman who was mostly interested in the domestic affairs of women. However, this biography shows Martha as an attractive and wealthy widow who was an equal partner to George Washington. The biography also shows that Martha Washington had a keen interest in politics.
Before I read this biography, I did not really know much about Martha Washington aside from the fact that she was highly revered as President George Washington’s wife. However, this book portrays her as being very intelligent. She was born Martha Dandridge. She married for love with her first husband, Daniel Parke Custis, who was a wealthy landowner. She bore him four children. However, he died when Martha Washington was twenty-six leaving her a widow. She then fell in love with George Washington. She married him even though he was still infatuated with Sally Fairfax. Both Martha and George grew to love and often relied on each other. She supported him throughout the American Revolution and Presidency. Therefore, they formed a close and loving relationship.
Overall, I thought that this was a very balanced biography of Martha Washington. It showed her flaws as well as her accomplishments. She did not believe that slavery was wrong. I did find it fascinating that she was interested in politics and did not care for Thomas Jefferson because of his political beliefs on state rights. I also liked reading about the books Martha Washington read as First Lady. However, there are not a lot of facts about Martha Washington, and this biography clearly shows it. The biography talked more about George Washington than Martha Washington. Nevertheless, I learned more about Martha Washington than I did before I read this book. This biography is an enjoyable read for those who want to read about America’s First Ladies! I recommend this book for fans of Cokie Roberts, Flora Fraser, and Jeanne E. Abrams!
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Comments
Post a Comment