With this revelatory and painstakingly researched book, Martha Washington, the invisible woman of American history, at last gets the biography she deserves. In place of the domestic frump of popular imagination, Patricia Brady resurrects the wealthy, attractive, and vivacious young widow who captivated the youthful George Washington. Here are the able landowner, the indomitable patriot (who faithfully joined her husband each winter at Valley Forge), and the shrewd diplomat and emotional mainstay. And even as it brings Martha Washington into sharper and more accurate focus, this sterling life sheds light on her marriage, her society, and the precedents she established for future First Ladies.

Patricia Brady has a Ph.D. in history from Tulane University and served for twenty years as director of publications at the Historic New Orleans Collection. Her previous books include George Washington's Beautiful Nell. She is the recipient of a Mellon fellowship.

Martha WashingtonPrologue: On the Road to History One: Little Patsy Dandridge Two: Courtship Three: Young Mrs. Custis Four: The Widow Custis and Colonel Washington Five: Gentry Life at Mount Vernon Six: Lady Washington and the American Revolution Seven: Valley Forge and Eventual Victory Eight: Mount Vernon and a New Family Nine: The President's Lady Ten: The Torments of the Second Term Eleven: "Under Their Vine and Under Their Fig Tree" Twelve: The Widow Washington Epilogue: The Real Martha Washington

Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index