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5 Minutes for Books — Washington’s Lady

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I’m sure that by now you know about the launch of our new site where you can find daily postings about books–5 Minutes for Books. If you haven’t already, click on over.

I’m proud to be managing editor, but don’t think that you can get rid of me that easily. I will still be writing the weekly book review column here at 5 Minutes for Mom–most weeks. However, my team of reviewers over at 5 Minutes for Books have been working hard. So hard that I have quite a few book reviews waiting in the wings there, and since I’ve been busy getting the site ready to launch (and preparing to teach VBS at my church next week), I’ve been spending more time at the computer than reading this week. This is a perfect time to showcase one of our new writers.

I reviewed another of Nancy Moser’s historical novels, Just Jane, in a column here last fall, and it’s still stands out as one of the favorite books I’ve read this year.

Meet Carrie:

Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.

Inventive. Intriguing. Tasteful. Unforgettable. This book was all those things and more.

This was the first book by Nancy Moser that I have had the opportunity to read and, I assure you, it will not be the last. I loved every minute of it.

Washington’s Lady is the third in Moser’s “Women of History” series. It “details” the life of Martha Washington, wife of our country’s first president. We meet her just as she has become the widow of Daniel Custis and follow along in her journey with George and the birth of the United States.

Mrs. Moser does take liberties with Mrs. Washington’s history. However, she admits it in a truly fantastic and humbling way. At the end of the book she clearly sets out what was fact and what was fiction. I think this is very tastefully done. I enjoy history very much and also have a healthy love of fiction. I admit to confusing the two at times, although I try my best to get the facts straight. Mrs. Moser states that when she had letters or quotes to go on regarding Martha’s life, that said information received “first dibs.” She elaborated and guesses at what Martha might have done or said at times, using the information that she found about Martha. It is tasteful and respectful. This is a historical novel and she does not make any pretenses about what may or may not be true. The truth is: there is a lot that we cannot ever know. Some secrets are buried in the past (burned letters and lost property, etc.) that prevent us from having full knowledge.

Mrs. Moser is particularly artful in the way that she weaves the story of Martha’s life together, however. In her epilogue she stresses that the most important thing that this book could represent to be true would be the fact that many brave men (and women) sacrificed their lives so that we could live in a land of liberty. I can honestly say that I feel their sacrifice after having read this book. She painted the sufferings of our brave forefathers in such a manner that you can’t close the book and forget about your own personal history. She makes you acutely aware of the fact that how much you have is the direct result of what they did NOT have in the late 18th century. It’s cleverly done.

If you have yet to infer the obvious in this review, let me state it clearly: I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I am eager to spend more of my time bonding with Nancy Moser and the historical characters she so clearly brings to life. Two thumbs up and more if I had them.

If you’d like to win a copy of Washington’s Lady, leave a comment here. We’ll announce the winner in next week’s column.

I am so glad that I conveyed my true pleasure at Ruby Among Us. Over 200 of you wanted to win Tina Ann Forkner’s first novel. The lucky three are:

#88 Jody
#112 Belinda Shaw
#14 Nikki

Reader Interactions


221 Comments

  2. I would love to read this book! I need a summer escape! Pick me! Pick me!

  4. I love reading about the Presidents and their
    women.I have always found it enlightening.They
    usually lead very interesting lives.Please
    enter me and thanks for the giveaway

  11. I absolutely ADORE historical fiction, I love any books by Philippa Gregory as well. I hope to win this, thank you for a great giveaway!

  13. This book looks like a great read! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win it!

  17. I just love all things about history. I would like a copy of this book.

  22. Washington’s Lady sounds like a great historical novel and one I would love to read this summer.

  23. I’d love to read this! Historical fiction is great for escaping from modern life… 🙂

  26. Interesting! I really don’t know much about Martha except for some vague facts in history class long ago, it is interesting to get to know her and her life!

  27. Martha Washington was an individual on my family tree. I don’t know much about her and I would like to know alot more. I think the book would be very interesting reading for me.

  29. Enjoyed your review, sounds like a book I would like as well.
    Thanks for the opportunity to win it!

  36. I’m always looking for new material and I read just about every type of book. This sounds like a great new addition to my wish list.

  39. After watching the Adams show on HBO, I think I would really enjoy this book. Thanks!

  46. I am a total reader demon and love to experience new authors I’ve never read before. This would be awesome!

  59. Thank you for the information on this ook, it sounds wonderful I cannot wait to read it!

  70. I would love a chance to win this book! I have heard so many good things about it. Thank you!

  75. You know sometimes ‘5 minutes’ is all I have…lol Hope everyone has a great day and good luck to all.

  78. Hello! Please enter my name in your fabulous book drawing. I enjoy historical books. Thanks, Cindi

  79. Thanks for the contest. i could use a little variety in my reading and this sure would be different.

  81. I’m LOVE this part of our country’s history. It will be fun to imagine the events from Martha’s point of view.

  85. Oooh, this sounds like a fantastic read. I’m fresh from reading John Adams and I’d love to continue in the same time period. Great giveaway!

  87. I don’t see my first comment, but if it’s in queue, please delete this one! I love historical fiction, an this book look sgreat (literally – super cover!)

  88. I love historical fiction – it’s one of my most favorite genres to read. I like reading about other people’s lives in story form (a list of facts can get so boring!) – please enter me!

  89. As a history fan this book sounds like it is right up my alley! Will have my eyes out for it even if I do not win (which I am crossing my fingers that I will).

  93. Thank you for the contest–it’s fun to think of sharing someone else’s vision of Mrs. Washington after imagining her for a long time.

  95. I love to read historical novels as it is interesting to read about other times and places so different from our own. Thank you!

  98. This book looks so good!! I would love to read it. Thank you for the chance to win!

  100. Sounds wonderful. My husband and I both love history and historical fiction. Thanks for the great giveaway!

  101. I love historical fiction. I like to get a feel for time gone by even if it isn’t 100% true. Thanks for the chance.

  103. I love to read about great historical women and the obstacles they have overcome!

  114. I love historical fiction and Americana (especially western) is my favorite. I’m always amazed at how really knowledgeable so many of these authors are. I like when the publisher provides a bio of the author so you can truly appreciate their talent.

  119. Martha Washington has been largely overlooked in history except as a background figure. She has to have been a strong person in her own right, and it sounds as if this book might be a vehicle to show this. I really like GOOD history, even when fictionalized, and if the author is willing and able to point out where known history and imagined separate, that is a huge plus. Many a good story has been ruined by too many liberties taken!

  125. Living in New England has whetted my appetite for historical reading, fiction and otherwise. This sounds like a wonderful book!

  127. I love books of all different genre. This book sounds VERY interestig. Please count me in

  128. Interesting. I had no idea she was a widow and I just learned it by reading your post.

  132. I’m a glutton for history, particularly history that involves women of strength and valor. It is great that you are including reviews of this nature, since it is hard to find great new books in the plethora of new publications!

  135. Wow, I LOVE historical fiction….please add my name in. Thanks girls, y’all are rockin it!! 😀

  139. I have enjoyed several of Nancy Moser’s previous books, and I’m sure would enjoy this one as well! Thank you for the drawing.

    Heather
    Lalycairn at gmail.com

  140. This sounds like a great read. It also intrigues me to check out the other “Women of History” books in the series.

  144. i’ve always loved historical fiction as a genre. I think this book sounds wonderful

  146. I enjoy reading Carrie’s reviews and landed here from her blog Reading to Know. Thanks for the giveaway.

  150. Wonderful review – I can’t wait to get the book and start reading. I also love history and this sounds fascinating.

  155. I read Just Jane last month – and loved it! I would love to read this as well 🙂

  167. This sounds like it would be a good book. To be reminded what this country was founded on and learn about the heart of the first first lady of our AMERICA.

  169. Ok, you convinced me it’s more than worth reading! Thanks for the giveaway.

  171. Nancy Moser’s books always draw my attention. I look forward to reading this one. Thank you for the opportunity to win it!

  174. Oh, I’d love to win this book! I’ve recently gotten back into reading during the warm afternoon!

  175. I enjoy historical fiction too. I’ll have to check out Moser’s books! Thanks for the author tip! 🙂

  176. you won me over with your review. i would love to read this book (by winning it, of course!) count me in.

  180. Cokie Roberts has done a fantastic job piecing together the lives of historical women in her books LADIES OF LIBERTY and FOUNDING MOTHERS. These are must reads! Check them out!

  182. This book sounds so interesting! I’d love to win it!
    ~Tanya
    the4moyers at msn dot com

  183. After watching the John Adams series on HBO I got a real appreciation for the first ladies, I would love to read about Mrs. Washington.

  185. Pleasea count me in – historical fiction is my absolute favorite!! Thank you>

  191. Historical fiction is one of my favorites,this looks interesting. I would love to get my hands on a copy.

  194. I love historical fiction and there isn’t actually a whole lot about presidential wives. Count me in!

  199. I’ve seen some excellent reviews for this book, and I’ve always had a thing for the Revolutionary period. Please count me in!

  200. This looks like an interesting book. I’ll have to read it sometime. Thanks for the cool giveaway!!

  201. Very good review. Really makes me want to read this book. Please enter me in the contest.

  203. Washington’s Lady sounds like an interesting historical read! I would love to read it!

  208. I have been obsessed with revolutionary war era histirical fiction since I was 12 years old. This one sounds great.

  209. first…got to say…what a lovely new look. love it.

    second…i’d love to be chosen for this book…i’ll pass it to my daughter for her 33rd bd….and then i’ll ‘borrow’ it back.

    thanks! love what you guys do! lylah

  210. This sounds fabulous. I would love to be entered, as I really enjoy historical fiction.

  211. Love historical fiction! Also will have some gasp! free time on my hands next month when son goes on vacation with his aunt and uncle. Perfect combination–new book, son on vacation! Keeping fingers crossed.

    Evelyn

  212. I would love to win a copy of Washington’s Lady as I love historical novels with a basis in fact!

    In addition to which this sounds like a great book!

  213. I really enjoy history turned into a story. I tend to read more about English history than American, so I’d be very interested in reading this book.

  214. This book review sounds like a very good read. I will be going on vacation next month and would love a copy. As for sacrificing lives for freedom, fully understand this not only for then but amso for now. What we have is not to be taken for granted and there rae many who have none! Kudos for pointing this out. My little patrotic ranting!
    http://www.lifeislikechampagneblog.com/

  215. Ooh that sounds like my kind of book, I deffinetly would love to have something new to read, and the cover looks absolutely enticing!

  216. I read this book as part of the CFBA blog tours. It was GREAT! It’s really stuck with me and I think helped give me a greater perspective on that time in our history. Like, duh, but it never occurred to me that before the revolution they didn’t think of America as her own country. Her other books are on my to-be-read list!
    (I hope it goes without saying that I don’t need to win this one!)

  218. I’d love to read this…I am going to purchase it even if I don’t win. Thanks so much!

  220. I have recently developed a taste for historical fiction, and this books sounds delicious!