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booklover28's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
_lilbey_'s review against another edition
3.0
This book didn't meet the exclusionary criteria for the MHC Project, but I had it so I read it. Liked it more than I thought I would.
vll295's review against another edition
3.0
This is the story of George and Martha Washington and the love that brought their families together. An inside look at America’s first president and his life, the book is a quick read with a historical perspective. The story centers on his Mt. Vernon home.
More about this book on my personal site: https://hesaidbooksorme.blogspot.com
More about this book on my personal site: https://hesaidbooksorme.blogspot.com
emiliefox's review against another edition
4.0
As a child I was an avid reader of biographies, especially of presidents, particularly of Lincoln. I never knew very much about George Washington, he was mysterious to me and I guess based on the little I heard about his reputation for being aloof and taciturn, I assumed that there was not much out there written about him! This is a wonderful story of the personal history of the man, giving some insight to his relationships - with his mother, brother, friends, and Martha (Patsy of course!) and her children - and thus into his personality as well. I think that textbook histories probably focus so much on his military career and the bare fact of his presidency (as opposed to a fleshed out story, like you get in the John Adams book for example, or some of the other scholarly histories/biographies I've read as an adult) that I was never that interested. Now I look forward to seeking out other works about our first President!
emilyknap's review against another edition
4.0
Very, very sweet love story. I really enjoyed this version of the Washington love story and it was portrayed as a great love!
jos_bookshelf's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
3 STARS
"Always a lover of history, she wrote this biographical novel -- her first book -- and titled it Aspire to the Heavens, which was the family motto of George Washington's mother. With all events, dates, scenes and characters based on historical research, the book was published in 1969.
Its recent discovery by a Washington family descendent led to its reissue under its new title, Mount Vernon Love Story.
In researching George Washington's life, Mary Higgins Clark was surprised to find the engaging man behind the pious legend. He was a giant of a man in every way, starting with his physical height. In an era when men averaged five foot seven inches, he towered over everyone at six foot three. He was the best dancer in the colony of Virginia. He was also a master horseman, which was why the Indians gave him their highest compliment: "He rides his horse like an Indian."
She dispels the widespread belief that although George Washington married an older woman, a widow, his true love was Sally Carey Fairfax, his best friend's wife. Martha Dandridge Custis was older, but only by three months -- she was twenty-seven to his twenty-six when they met. Mary Higgins Clark describes their relationship from their first meeting, their closeness and his tenderness toward her two children. Martha shared his life in every way, crossing the British lines to join him in Boston and enduring with him the bitter hardship of the winter in Valley Forge. As Lady Bird Johnson was never called Claudia, Martha Washington was never known as Martha. Her family and friends called her Patsy. George always called her "my dearest Patsy" and wore a locket with her picture around his neck." (From Amazon)
I read this novel when it was reissued because I am a fan of History and Mary Higgins Clark. I think because I expect suspense from Clark I found this story less exciting.
"Always a lover of history, she wrote this biographical novel -- her first book -- and titled it Aspire to the Heavens, which was the family motto of George Washington's mother. With all events, dates, scenes and characters based on historical research, the book was published in 1969.
Its recent discovery by a Washington family descendent led to its reissue under its new title, Mount Vernon Love Story.
In researching George Washington's life, Mary Higgins Clark was surprised to find the engaging man behind the pious legend. He was a giant of a man in every way, starting with his physical height. In an era when men averaged five foot seven inches, he towered over everyone at six foot three. He was the best dancer in the colony of Virginia. He was also a master horseman, which was why the Indians gave him their highest compliment: "He rides his horse like an Indian."
She dispels the widespread belief that although George Washington married an older woman, a widow, his true love was Sally Carey Fairfax, his best friend's wife. Martha Dandridge Custis was older, but only by three months -- she was twenty-seven to his twenty-six when they met. Mary Higgins Clark describes their relationship from their first meeting, their closeness and his tenderness toward her two children. Martha shared his life in every way, crossing the British lines to join him in Boston and enduring with him the bitter hardship of the winter in Valley Forge. As Lady Bird Johnson was never called Claudia, Martha Washington was never known as Martha. Her family and friends called her Patsy. George always called her "my dearest Patsy" and wore a locket with her picture around his neck." (From Amazon)
I read this novel when it was reissued because I am a fan of History and Mary Higgins Clark. I think because I expect suspense from Clark I found this story less exciting.
adelita18's review
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
llkendrick's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this book years ago because it was by one of my favorite authors, interested because it's not her usual style of book. I've read books about Washington's military and political careers but never one that focuses solely on his private life. This was a great book and was also a fast read, it's under 200 pages. I encourage everyone to read it who is interested in George Washington!
emtur007's review
The subject matter is interesting but I found the prose very average and not enough detail. I want it to be more in-depth look and there are better books that achieve this.