MY REVIEW:Patriotism. Duty. Honor. Martha Washington is known to have possessed these traits. A mother’s love - the pain of great personal loss - the deep and intimate love between a man and woman - all of these things were known and experienced more than once by Martha Washington. Nancy Moser has created the most beautiful historical picture of Martha Washington’s life that I have ever read. I feel like I have truly experienced a taste of what it was like to walk beside the man who eventually became our country’s first president. I am humbled – privileged to have been able to read such a work, and I know that my own heart has been deeply touched in the process.
There is so much that took place in the span of Martha Washington’s life! Just to have experienced the eight years of revolution is enough to distinguish her years on this earth. However, Martha Washington was to live through the death of all four children born to her, two husbands, a host of brothers and sisters as well as several grand-children. Her heart was broken so deeply! Yet Nancy Moser captures what surely must have been her sustaining strength in a scene so poignant and real that it leaves you breathless! On page 133, Martha has gotten away from everyone to grieve her daughter’s death. After many bitter tears she finally looks heavenward and her thoughts are written as follows; “Then I felt something – from the inside rather than out. An assurance. A hand upon my heart saying, You belong to me, and I to you.” Martha’s faith was strong and it was real, and even though these thoughts are fictional representations, they can’t be far from truth based on the way this phenomenal woman lived her life. When rain began to fall upon her as she was there alone, page 134 records another thought that rang true to me; “It was as though God were sending heavenly tears to keep my own company. I closed my eyes and let us cry together. And be cleansed.” Although comforted and able to move forward, Martha remains real in her grief. On page 140 she states: “I took comfort in the knowledge my girl was in heaven with our Lord, and yet I still fought with the Almighty over the arrangement.”
Nancy Moser captures the personal, intimate inner-workings of Martha Washington’s life. Through these pages you experience not only her grief and heartache, but the wondrous love she shared with George. As the two grow to love one another, Martha states on page 37; “I had come to revere him as a man, respect him as a soldier, relish him as good company and react to him as a woman. When in his presence, I wished to be nowhere else. And when apart, I longed to be with him.” This was true of the forty years Martha spent by her husband’s side. Truly she supported him with such sacrificial loyalty, that she should serve as an example to all women everywhere who are blessed with a good husband.
I feel like I cannot do justice to this book in a brief review. This is a powerful, poignant tale of a heroic woman serving alongside a heroic man in order to birth the greatest nation upon this earth. Through these pages you can experience one of the greatest and most troubled times in our nation’s history. I thank God for George and Martha Washington, and I thank Nancy Moser for writing their story so beautifully!! I beg you, go purchase this book TODAY!! It is phenomenal!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nancy Moser is the author of three inspirational humor books and a eighteen novels, including Mozart's Sister, Just Jane, and Time Lottery, a Christy Award winner. She is an inspirational speaker, giving seminars around the country. She has earned a degree in architecture; run a business with her husband; traveled extensively in Europe; and has performed in various theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She and her husband have three grown children and make their home in the Midwest. Read more about her books at www.nancymoser.com.To purchase your own copy, go here. If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE
I read another review on "Washington's Lady," and I have to say from the get go it just sounds like a great read. Thanks for posting about it! :)
ReplyDeleteKelly