Summary Of Martha Washington: An American Life By Patricia Brady

The name of Martha Washington is a name most people recognize as the wife of the first president, George Washington. The real story of the woman and the ways in which she helped shape the role of position of the First Lady is a story much less known. The book Martha Washington: An American Life, by Patricia Brady is a biography that brings to life her story, her personality, and her impact on history. In the book Patricia Brady provides the reader with an account of what life was like in the 18th century during the time when Martha Washington was alive and the nation was new.

Young Martha Dandridge grew up in New Kent near Williamsburg Virginia. She enjoyed the country life on a small plantation with her younger brothers and sisters.

Martha didn’t like long term separations when George was away leading the solders or handling other political affairs from her husband. She was very loyal though and supportive to him. She did not like to travel, but once said “She married George Washington because she loved him and went wherever he wanted to go” (Brady 66). Even during the Revolution, she would make trips out to see him through rough country even in the cold winters. “She found it hard to be at all happy when they were apart” (Brady

In the book Patricia Brady showed that the little old gray haired lady that we often picture in our minds is not the true picture of Martha Washington. Brady helps the reader to see the personality of Martha Washington, her strengths and her weaknesses. She points out in detail how everyday life was in the 18th century. She writes about Martha’s personality and the ways in which she handled the good times and the sad days of her life. Brady also points out that Martha’s character was important. Martha once wrote, “I am still determined to be cheerful and to be happy in whatever situation I may be, for I have learnt from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our disposition, and not upon our circumstance; we carry the seeds of the one, or the other about with us, in our minds wherever we go” (Brady 104). She shows how Martha Washington, was devoted to her husband in all kinds of ways as together they dealt with the many struggles that they had to face. The author lets the reader know that George and Martha were a team that worked together. “Their mutual love, confidence, and her support helped keep him going in the face of every disappointment, setback, and defeat” (Brady 144). Brady shows Martha as a strong determined lady that made great contributions to her family, the country, and the position of First