Washington's Lady (Ladies of History Series #3) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: Mount Vernon, White House, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Popular historical novelist Moser (Mozart's Sister; Just Jane) turns to Martha Custis Washington in an uncharacteristically slow, unimaginative tale. Moser opens with the death of Martha's first husband and her subsequent marriage to George. When the Revolution commences, Martha is forced to flee Mount Vernon, and Loyalist newspapers claim that she has abandoned the Patriot cause. Moser, who cut her literary teeth on Christian fiction, depicts religious faith throughout: we see Martha attending church, offering up the occasional prayer, devotedly loving her husband and caring for her children. The description of the death of her daughter, Patsy, is especially moving. The novel focuses on the Washingtons' early marriage and experiences during the war. After the Revolution ends, Moser briefly describes George's election as president, and then fast-forwards 11 years to his death. Unfortunately, the novel lacks a real plot; there is no central conflict that demands resolution. The historical details—such as Lafayette's joining the family as another son—are accurate enough, but Moser never fully plunges readers into an earlier world. (June)
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Review

"...the slice of Martha Washington's life that Moser offers in this engaging novel ... provide a good inspirational historical read." -- Cindy Crosby, FaithfulReader.com

"Inventive. Intriguing. Tasteful. Unforgettable. This book was all those things and more.... I cannot recommend this book highly enough." -- Carrie Brownell, 5MinutesforMom.com

"Told with the appeal of first person, don't miss this intimate book of history." -- Deborah Tompkins Johnson, Potomac News/Manassas Journal Messenger

"Historical fiction does not get any better than this and that is why Washington's Lady is highly recommended." -- Debora Hosey, TheRomanceReadersConnection.com

"I truly enjoyed my brief sojourn with Moser's warm and human Martha." -- Violet Nesdoly, BlogCritics.org

"Moser's research, powerful dialogue and flawless creativity give readers a heart-wrenching first-person account..." -- Romantic Times

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Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; First edition. edition (June 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764205005
• ISBN-13: 978-0764205002
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #348,875 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Biographical Novel, June 2, 2008

By	Jennifer AlLee (Nevada USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you've ever suffered through a junior high American History class, you probably think you know all you'll ever need to know about the forming of our country. If only history class had been as captivating and enthralling as this novel!

In Washington's Lady, Nancy Moser shines a light on the reluctant First Lady of America. Her life was plagued with heartbreak and the deaths of many that she loved. Yet she also experienced great joy with the love of her life and soul mate, George. She was a woman off contradictions, having great strength during adversity, but fearful of the specter of death that loomed over her life. She showed grace and affection to the soldiers under her husband's command, but she was loathe to become a public figure. Martha Washington was a unique woman, flaws and all.

History truly comes alive in Moser's capable hands. I learned so much reading this story, not just about Martha, but about George and the struggles to form our country. And I enjoyed it immensely. At the end of the book, Moser includes a section titled Fact or Fiction in Washington's Lady. It's another glimpse at the care and diligence taken in presenting the fascinating tale of an extraordinary woman and the family and country she loved.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strong look at the first First Lady, June 1, 2008

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

When her beloved Daniel died as well as two of their children, wealthy widow Martha Dandridge Custis vowed death would never mock her again. However, being affluent and young, many want to court her; none interest her. That is until she meets the French and Indian War Colonel George Washington, a shy warrior. She knows she has met her soulmate.

They marry and live in his Mount Vernon home. However, their life together is interrupted by war as George now a general leads the rebel forces against the mightiest army in the world; a side he once belong to. There are several years of separation and worry as Martha tries to hold the family together while George is at war. When they reunite, their love is stronger and helps them several years later when she becomes the first First Lady; but death will return to mock her once again.

As she has done with Jane Austen (see JUST JANE) and Nannerl Mozart (see MOZART'S SISTER), Nancy Moser provides a strong look at the first First Lady, who Washington insisted was "my other self". Readers will see how deaths of loved ones shaped her adult life and helped her as the "mother of our country". Biographical fiction fans and historical novel readers will appreciate this superb glimpse of WASHINGTON'S LADY, Martha.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Written Like a Memoir, Reads Like a Novel, September 10, 2009

By	Jim Duggins, Ph.D. "Author, The Power: A Nove... (Rancho Mirage, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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Nancy Moser's book,"Washington's Lady," is an extended first person account of the first first lady of the United States, Martha Washington, nee Dandridge, Custis from the time of her first husband's death, ca 1757, through her marriage to George Washignton and finally her own death in 1802. It is the story of the beginnings of the United States, its revolutionary war, constitutional foundation, and the first stumbling steps of the new nation. It is also has to be the story of the great loves of an 18th century couple and the perilous conditions in the English Colonies in America.

"Washington's Lady" as one might expect is primarily a tale of the new republic told from the point of view of the wealthiest of its settlers, albeit those of great compassion and humanity not unlike some 20th century families, e.g., the Roosevelts and the Kennedys. This novel also invites us into a view of the plight of men and women, primarily women, and the enormous mortality statistics of the age, babies, children, and adults, dead of disease, epidemics, malnutrition, and wars with indigenous peoples as well as European nations. We see, too, the cruelty toward the colonists and their subjugation by their own fellows and families in Britain to an extent not often revealed. Author Moser's thorough knowledge of period and place in this 17th century story is awesome.

Written in first person, the novel feels like a memoir, a personal tale that unfailingly identifies the players and reveals intimate details of their lives up to and including the president and first lady in their bed chamber. Moser's use of language is further proof of her skills, evidenced by her surprising turns of phrase, eg., "..(he) oozed bitterness the way a wound oozes the poison that inflames it"; "Sally placed her hands in her lap letting them find company one with the other"; "I bypassed the desk and went to him, finding a place in his lap"; "My mind could not comprehend and so left me, as though it had business elsewhere ...".

In my opinion, author Moser is also to be congratulated for her courage in risking so famous a couple as subject for her book -- if only because her readers know so much about them; any errors in fact that she might make are too easily discovered. It's a greater pleasure then to recommend a book that is both accurate for the facts of a famous couple and convincing for its clever and inventive use of language. Brava! Nancy Moser!