Not a "true biography" of George Washington it is very well researched and Clark deserves kudos for what is obviously a lot of hard work and time on her part. She thought very highly of General Washington and she makes him more human than any childs textbook. Very sweet story and made me want to learn more about George and Martha. I would read it again and again if there weren't so many great books out there about Washington and his family.

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Mary Higgons Clark reveals the flesh-and-blood man who became "father of our country" in s story that is charming,insightful, and immensely entertaining. I most enjoyed it!

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This quick read of the love story between George and Martha Washington was delightful. It was well written and totally absorbing. The author not only told a good story but also refreshed some long forgotten history lessons! I totally enjoyed it.

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From Our Editors
In 1968, an unknown writer named Mary Higgins Clark published her first book, a historical novel called Aspire to the Heavens: A Portrait of George Washington. Although Higgins and readers were fond of the fiction, it went out of print, quickly becoming eclipsed by her more famous mystery novels. Widely sought by collectors (first editions fetch $200-$500), the romantic novel gained an almost mythic status among Mary Higgins Clark aficionados. Now retitled and returned to print, this touching love story will win the hearts of a new generation of readers.

Annotation
Originally published as Aspire to the Heavens: A Portrait of George Washington

From the Publisher
In Mount Vernon Love Story -- famed suspense writer Mary Higgins Clark's long-out-of-print first novel -- the bestselling author reveals the flesh-and-blood man who became the "father of our country" in a story that is charming, insightful, and immensely entertaining.

Always a lover of history, Mary Higgins Clark wrote this extensively researched biographical novel and titled it Aspire to the Heavens, after the motto of George Washington's mother. Published in 1969, the book was more recently discovered by a Washington family descendant and reissued as Mount Vernon Love Story. Dispelling the widespread belief that although George Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, he reserved his true love for Sally Carey Fairfax, his best friend's wife, Mary Higgins Clark describes the Washington marriage as one full of tenderness and passion, as a bond between two people who shared their lives -- even the bitter hardship of a winter in Valley Forge -- in every way. In this author's skilled hands, the history, the love, and the man come fully and dramatically alive.

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Very good book.

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Loved this book it was hard to put down once I started it.

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An interesting look at our first president and his wife. Certainly not a typical Mary Higgins Clark! I've wanted to read it since I read her autobiograpy.

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"Mary Higgins Clark's interest in George Washington was first sparked by a radio series she was writing in the 1960s, called "Portrait of a Patriot," vignettes of American presidents." "Always a lover of history, she wrote this biographical novel - her first book - and titled it Aspire to the Heavens, which was the family motto of George Washington's mother. With all events, dates, scenes and characters based on historical research, the book was published in 1969." Its recent discovery by a Washington family descendent led to its reissue under its new title, Mount Vernon Love Story.

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Clark's first book, a biography of George washington. Interesting.

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This was a very nice story and was obviously well-researched. I enjoyed learning more about our first President and his wife and home.

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Very good! Awesome history. Always a great read!

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Very sweet story of George and Martha. Good historical value.

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Not your typical Mary Higgins Clark novel. This is not a mystery, rather an intimate look at the relationship between George and Martha Washington. A great book for history buffs and romance readers alike!

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This was an interesting perspective, but I there is a reason she usually writes mysteries.

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This is the authors version of the marriage of George and Martha Washington. It is well researched, but is still a novel, not a biography

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Not my usual read but I thought it was a good book none the less!

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This is a very sweet, very refreshing story! I loved Mary Higgins Clark's portrayal of 'Patsy' (Martha Washington). As a fan of historical fiction, Mount Vernon Love Story sparked an interest in me to learn more about the life of our nation's first president.

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As one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, not too much is known about the private life of George and Martha Washington. In Mount Vernon Love Story: A Novel of George and Martha Washington, Mary Higgins Clark relies on extensive biographical and historical research to bring George Washington and his life and marriage fully into focus for readers. Dispelling the widespread belief that although George Washington married the wealthy widow Martha Dandridge Custis, his one true love was his best friend's wife, Sally Carey Fairfax, Mary Higgins Clark describes the marriage between George and Martha as one full of tenderness and passion - a bond between two people who shared their lives - even the bitter hardship of a winter in Valley Forge - in every way.

For a debut novel, I really thought this book was excellent. I love reading people's biographies and become really immersed in the time periods that are portrayed. I think it was truly a harsh time for both George and Martha Washington as well as for the country as a whole. I give this book an A+!

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I don't read many books of this type, but found it interesting and learned some facts about our first president. This book helps you see George Washington as a 'regular' person.

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I love Mary Higgins Clark...but I love the mystery & suspense. This wasn't my kind of book.

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While I am sure that most of the book is fiction, it is a beautiful love story about an important figure in American History. If even part of this is true it puts a personal touch on what we all have learned in school regarding our 1st president. I would definitely recommend it.

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I just love this story. Mary Higgins Clark brought George and Martha Washington to life for me. We see their pictures so prim and proper. This book reveals the essence of these two people with their warmth, strength and love for each other, family and friends and for their country. What a great gift. Thank you Mary Higgins Clark. :)

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A fast, fascinating read

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This was actually a great book. The father of our country, a love story, historical events, and much more. I have read this twice and was even more intrigued the second reading.

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I really liked this book. It gave me a whole new view of young George Washington's life.

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Very good story of our first president.

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surprisingly good story.

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VERY VERY cute book. all about washington and Martha's marriage. It's just so well written and a must read. nice light summer reading. a great mix of history and love. well researched and very accurate.

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Charming and entertaining, it shows the reader a man of flesh and blood, not just a historic figure.

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Historical Fiction - love story of George and Martha Washington rising from the ashes of George's love for Sally, his best friend's wife.

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Mary Higgins Clark tells the story of a rare marriage between 6'3" George Washington and his "dearest Patsy" (Martha), whose lock of hair he always carried in a locket with him wherever he went. She has been portrayed as an "older" woman, which she was...by three months... Ms.Clark brings the story of George and Martha to light in a delightful way.

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This book is about the marriage of George and Martha Washington and paints a rather different picture of them from what we are used to.

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Charming, insightful and immensely entertaining in its unique presentation of one of America's legendary figures, Mount Vernon Love Story, shows the reader the man behind the legend, a man of flesh, blood and passion, and in the author's skilled hands, the story and the man come fully and dramatically alive.

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This book, I am not sure if I can find the right words. It is beautiful, a beautiful telling of the love between George Washington and his beautiful wife Martha. It is a charming romp through his memories, his life from child hood and on through. We find him remembering these things from his minds eye as he is giving over the reigns of his government to John Adams. Its witty, and shows some funny jests about Thomas Jefferson (my all time favorite) and John Adams. This book was simply not long enough for me, I wanted more. I wanted to have more memories from Georges point of view. A wonderful book, that is making me wish to dig out my rev war books right now.

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I really enjoyed this book. at first when I seen the title thought ick a history book. This is history but a real romance also. you will love it

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Great insight on the marriage of George and Martha. A very sweet story - definitely G rated.

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I liked the way the author brought characters that we've all heard about to life. It may not be total fact, but was interesting reading, especially since I have visited Mt. Vernon and the area George Washington grew up in. I liked this book very much.

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This is the author's first novel, first published in 1969, long out-of-print. It was originally titled Aspire to the Heavens and was extensively researched by the author. It was recently discovered by a Washington family descendant and reissed with the new title in 2003.

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A paperbadck book - different ISBN from above, but ISBN 0743448944 does not come up with a paperback option. This is a very delightful historical book.

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"A novel of George & Martha Washington....shows the reader the man behind the legend, a man of fleash, blood & passion..."

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I really enjoyed this book a lot. I was used to Mary Higgins Clark's mysteries; I had not read other types of writing she had done. This was a love story. It did not take me very long at all. It was especially enjoyable since I had recently viewed the movie John Adams.

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Mary Higgins Clark's first book was this one -- a delightful and insightful biographical novel. Written well. I enjoyed it a lot.

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Good account of Washington.I would have preferred not skipping back & forth in time.

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