While delivering a message to the French—a message that meant war—young George Washington encountered a sad French beauty whom he was destined to meet again. However, his heart was all for the lovely Martha Dandridge of Williamsburg. Martha loved him too, but because he did not dare show her his feelings before he went off to fight the French, she married another man….
In battle after battle, using both guns and his pen, Washington served his country. How he grew in fame and experience while death took so many others, how he rescued an orphan baby and his fondest dreams at the same time, and how he loved and trusted those who betrayed him, form a moving story.
Marjorie Bowen, a prolific author of early twentieth century, obviously admired Washington deeply. Without slowing the pace of the story, she described the characters and their emotions in dramatic and flattering detail. Bowen’s skilful portrayals of Washington’s wife Martha, his friend Benedict Arnold, and his adopted daughter Hortense add deep human interest to this portrait, and we learn that human nature has not changed.
As a Canadian, I knew little about George Washington’s private life before reading The Soldier of Virginia, but now I am eager to learn more. This is novel would be an excellent supplement to an American history course, but can also be read purely for pleasure.
The Soldier of Virginia: A Novel on George Washington is available from Inheritance Publications.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Inheritance Publications in order to review it. I am not compensated for my reviews and my opinions are my own.
The Soldier of Virginia: A Novel on George Washington is my 32nd book in the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge.
That sounds like a fantastic read.