Dear George, Dear Mary by Mary Calvi
I'm not usually one to read historical romance but after I saw a piece on CBS Sunday Morning about the author of this book, I decided to read it. I also like to mix up the subject matter and setting of the books I read, so this was the perfect update for me on pre Revolutionary War.
As a young man in a new country, George Washington set out to learn military strategy as well as the ways of a sophisticated and civilized man. He had great respect for his mother who taught him polite table manners along with how to dance. He becomes a highly sought after bachelor for the times. George lived by the 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior which the author gracefully sprinkles through this story. He is an intelligent and gentle man.
In 1756 George is invited to the New York colony to the home of the wealthy Philipse's. It is here that he becomes captivated with the beautiful Mary Philipse. And she with him. The story leads the reader through the sumptuous food served at the dinner to dancing the minuet in the ballroom. With lovely descriptions I imagined myself wearing the silk gowns, smelled the men's powdered wigs and heard the music that filled the mansion.
A few days later George must leave but vows to Mary to return to her. But in the time of impending war, both sides use any method they can to manipulate the other side. Dear George, Dear Mary is an immersion into the birth or our country wrapped around a beautiful love story interrupted by war. This is a very well researched story and even though it's hard to tell the fact from the fiction, I was left feeling I learned about a side of George Washington that the history books never taught me. This book is well worth your time. I loved it. Romance and history mix seamlessly in Dear George, Dear Mary.
I'm not usually one to read historical romance but after I saw a piece on CBS Sunday Morning about the author of this book, I decided to read it. I also like to mix up the subject matter and setting of the books I read, so this was the perfect update for me on pre Revolutionary War.
As a young man in a new country, George Washington set out to learn military strategy as well as the ways of a sophisticated and civilized man. He had great respect for his mother who taught him polite table manners along with how to dance. He becomes a highly sought after bachelor for the times. George lived by the 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior which the author gracefully sprinkles through this story. He is an intelligent and gentle man.
In 1756 George is invited to the New York colony to the home of the wealthy Philipse's. It is here that he becomes captivated with the beautiful Mary Philipse. And she with him. The story leads the reader through the sumptuous food served at the dinner to dancing the minuet in the ballroom. With lovely descriptions I imagined myself wearing the silk gowns, smelled the men's powdered wigs and heard the music that filled the mansion.
A few days later George must leave but vows to Mary to return to her. But in the time of impending war, both sides use any method they can to manipulate the other side. Dear George, Dear Mary is an immersion into the birth or our country wrapped around a beautiful love story interrupted by war. This is a very well researched story and even though it's hard to tell the fact from the fiction, I was left feeling I learned about a side of George Washington that the history books never taught me. This book is well worth your time. I loved it. Romance and history mix seamlessly in Dear George, Dear Mary.
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