From the nationally bestselling author of I, Eliza Hamilton, the groundbreaking historical novel about the life of Martha Dandridge Washington—the *real* Martha—who was a fierce and passionate beauty and an integral, intimate part of the founding of America…
Just as “Hamilton,” the musical, redefined its namesake, this riveting story upends the conventional image of Martha Washington to show us the real woman as she truly was. Vibrant, fiercely intelligent, and a pivotal historical figure in her own right—she is finally revealed in this groundbreaking historical novel about America’s first-ever First Lady. “No one could have guessed what I would become.” When eighteen-year-old Martha Dandridge marries Daniel Parke Custis, all agree she has done remarkably well to fall in love withand land one of the wealthiest men in the Virginia colony. Their union is a happy one until, after seven years and four children,Daniel dies suddenly. Resilient and beautiful, Martha is soon courted by other men, and becomes engaged to a military hero:Colonel George Washington. The newlyweds’ mutual affection—and attraction—is obvious to all. At twenty-six, George is handsome, athletic, and over a foottaller than petite Martha. She and her two surviving children move to Mount Vernon, where Martha’s fortune enables George toimprove his estate and establish himself as a political power. Where once Martha envisioned a sedate life as a planter’s wife, nowa very different future beckons. During the unsettled years that foreshadow revolution, Martha proves herself George’s anchor, advisor, and most trustedconfidante. As war ravages the country, she risks her safety to winter with the army, staying by his side during harrowingbetrayals and personal tragedies. And when at last the war is done, it will take all of Martha’s courage and devotion to take herplace in history as the first lady of the land…
