George & Martha Washington

Children's Literature

This book succinctly tells the story of the personal lives of George and Martha Washington as well as highlighting key historical events during their lifetimes. The book covers the Revolutionary War, when George served as the army's leader and Martha traveled along with the army to support her husband. It addresses both Washington's first and second presidencies as well as his retirement at Mount Vernon. However, the book is not all positive. It points out the Washington's childhood was not ideal: "At age eleven, George was stranded without much money on a small farm with a difficult mother and four younger siblings." Also, the book notes that he faced controversy when he ran for re-election, as his opponents called him "Emperor George" and "tyrant." The book also relates the non-political careers of Washington including that of surveyor, member of the Virginia militia and author. One sidebar in the book is devoted to Washington's opinions on slavery and the way he approached the slavery issue as a plantation owner. The book includes text from the one remaining letter that Martha wrote to George as well as text from one of the two letters remaining from George to Martha. There is also text from Washington's Farewell Address. This title is part of the "Presidents and First Ladies" series. 2005, World Almanac Library, Ages 8 to 13.
—Lynn O'Connell