Fodor's Washington, D.C. 2007: with Mount Vernon, Old Town Alexandria & Annapolis (Fodor's Gold Guides)

Book Description

Shop in the historical neighborhood of Georgetown, visit the nation's monuments at the best time of day, touch a moon rock at the National Air and Space Museum, stroll through beautiful gardens, or stand in awe of the world's sixth largest cathedral–Fodor's Washington, D.C. 2007 offers all these experiences and more! Our local writers have traveled throughout the country to find the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and activities to prepare you for a journey of stunning variety. Before you leave for your trip be sure to pack your Fodor's guide to ensure you don't miss a thing.

The San Francisco Chronicle sums it up best –"Fodor's guides are saturated with information."

- We frequently update our Washington, D.C. guide, and we make every effort to bring you the most accurate and thorough book. Plus we provide timely updates about the area at Fodors.com.
- Unlike other travel books, Fodor's guides rely heavily on local experts who know the territory best–so you know you're seeing the real Washington, D.C.
- We give you the planning tools you need to tailor your trip. We give options for all budgets. You make the choices.

Customer Reviews:

Great Travel Reference.......2007-07-20

This covers all the bases (and maybe one too many for a family reference)if you are planning a trip to Washington, D.C. I love the itineraries that they have detailed out in the book.

Very helpful for those visiting Washington, D. C........2007-07-04

This is another in a fine series by Fodor's Travel Publications. As always, any publication is going to be out-of-date the instant that it appears, given the coming and going of restaurants, clubs, and so on. Nonetheless, this is a very helpful volume.

The map that comes with the book is fairly helpful, although it only covers a rather limited portion of D. C. There are some restaurants and hotels that I would include were I to try such a compilation. However, such reservations are pretty small potatoes and don't detract from the value of the work.

Want to know where to stay? Nice descriptions of hotels in various parts of the city are useful. Just so, a compilation of restaurants. There are a lot of choices provided, including a variety of cuisines.

Then, the little things. Where to shop? Want pens? Go to Fahrney's on F Street NW. Small space, but a great ambience and some nice pens. Newspaper clippings and autographs add a quirky but pleasant touch. In the DuPont Circle area and would like to go peruse bookstores? Karmerbooks & Afterwards on Connecticut Avenue is fun indeed. Even better, from my experience, is Second Story Books on DuPont Circle.

A nice feature is coverage of Mount Vernon, Annapolis, Alexandria, and neighboring areas.

Thinking of going to Washington, D. C. for a weekend or for a week? Take Fodor's with you to enhance the experience.

Great Guide To Metro Washington DC.......2006-11-06

FODOR'S WASHINGTON D.C. is a great guide to the District Of Columbia, as well as its Maryland and Virginia suburbs, including Mount Vernon (George Washington's home), Alexandria's Old Town, and Annapolis, MD, home of the U.S. Naval Academy. When you read some parts of this book, you just can't help feeling a strong sense of place. In addition, it tells you where the best shopping is. Whether you're travelling to the area, or are simply a proud American, this book is for you.

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An American Home

Mount Vernon
Wendell Garrett
Manufacturer: Monacelli
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Materials | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1580930107

Customer Reviews:

An American Home.......2001-12-03

George Washington's Mount Vernon is not only an American landmark but a landmark of what America is, a warm, welcoming and gracious home. This beautiful book takes you through a four season walk of Mount Vernons spectacular grounds and a detailed and historical tour of the homes interior. With the easy interesting writing and the spectacular color photography all guided by the expert hand of Wendell Garrett, we learn and understand Washington's love and devotion to his beloved home. For anyone searching for detailed information on colonial interiors or historical gardening ideas, this book will be a welcomed addition to your home library.

Mount Vernon Love Story : A Novel of George and Martha Washington

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George and Patsy
Mount Vernon Love Story
Mount Vernon Love Story
MVLS
Perhaps they should have kept the original title...

Mount Vernon Love Story : A Novel of George and Martha Washington
Mary Higgins Clark
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0743448944
Release Date: 2003-06-03

Book Description

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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"Charming, insightful and immensely entertaining in its unique presentation of one of America's legendary figures, Mount Vernon Love Story, by famed suspense writer Mary Higgins Clark, 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. 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. In researching George Washington's life, Mary Higgins Clark was surprised to find the engaging man behind the pious legend. He was a giant of a man in every way, starting with his physical height. In an era when men averaged five foot seven inches, he towered over everyone at six foot three. He was the best dancer in the colony of Virginia. He was also a master horseman, which was why the Indians gave him their highest compliment: "He rides his horse like an Indian." In Mount Vernon Love Story, Mary Higgins Clark tells the story of a rare marriage and brings to life the human side of the man who became the "father of our country."

Customer Reviews:

George and Patsy.......2007-01-22

This is a quick read and has some good information. It's a book for the young teenagers.

Mount Vernon Love Story.......2007-01-10

Very interesting historical novel about an aspect of our first president not commonly appreciated.

Mount Vernon Love Story.......2006-08-27

This is by far one of the very best historical novels that I have ever read. I read it as a part of a book club to which I belong. Mary Higgins Clark made George and Martha Washington and those who surrounded them very real people, not just historical figures whom we have revered. It was warm, wonderful and a totally delightful read. The review by members of our book club was absolutely glowing.

MVLS.......2006-08-14

I found this book to have interesting information about our first President. However, I was not hooked on this book. I know a book has been great when I am disappointed to finish it. That did not happen with this book.
I encountered an error at the beginning of the chapter where Sally is in Bath, England waking up thinking about Washington. It states that it is 7am in Bath and must be noon in the States. This is untrue. There is indeed a 5 hour time difference between England and the Eastern time zone, however England is 5 hours AHEAD of the east coast. 7am in England would be 2am on the east coast. Noon on the east coast is 5pm in England.

Perhaps they should have kept the original title..........2005-08-26

I really liked this book. It was friendly, charming, and undemanding. It flowed gently and easily without too much undue excitement, but enough to keep from being bored. Its pace was like that of a good marriage: Simple, straightforward, honest, reassuring, with occasional surprises to keep things interesting.

I read a lot of really intellectual and fast paced, intricately dramatic stuff. This book was just sweet and light -- I read it in three evenings -- but made me want to be a better person, and made me proud of my country's heritage (if not its current political situation). I like our founding father even more now that I realize he was a real person with real emotions and struggles not unlike my own.

On the other hand, it is much more of a biography of George than a story of his simple yet real romance with Patsy (Martha). I did feel like I got to know her (and would have liked her) pretty well, though. Its original title, Aspire to the Heavens, is also a bit too grandiose, however. I might have called it simply George Washington at Home.

The George Washington Collection: Fine and Decorative Arts at Mount Vernon

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George Washington Collection

The George Washington Collection: Fine and Decorative Arts at Mount Vernon
Carol Cadou
Manufacturer: Hudson Hills Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Museums & Collections | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1555952682

Book Description

Mount Vernon boasts the largest collection of Washington material in the United States. This new book highlights the outstanding fine and decorative art collection found at our nation's first president's longtime home.

Customer Reviews:

George Washington Collection.......2007-01-09

The book is presented in a scholarly fashion; I thought there would more items which were shown and written about...the collection runs into thousands of pieces and I was looking for more items to be shown and discussed...it was, however, well done. W. B. Goetz

Supertest: How the International Baccalaureate Can Strengthen Our Schools

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A history of the IB, its increasing introduction in American school systems, and how it makes a difference
Your kids deserve IB - learn what it is and why from Jay

Supertest: How the International Baccalaureate Can Strengthen Our Schools
Jay Mathews , and Ian Hill
Manufacturer: Open Court
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

High School | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Curricula | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Testing | Education | Reference | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0812695771

Book Description

Recognized by universities throughout the world, the International Baccalaureate (IB) is a college entrance examination that students can take in any country. A school that adopts the IB curriculum ensures that its academics are brought up to international standards. Over 500 U.S. high schools currently participate in the International Baccalaureate program. As the IB concept gains ground with students, parents, and teachers in North America, Supertest tells two illuminating stories: how the IB program came to be and eventually reached the United States, and how it came to be implemented at Mount Vernon High in Alexandria, VA. The book provides insight into how ideas first conceived by a small group of educators in Switzerland eventually helped improve a typical American public school.

Customer Reviews:

A history of the IB, its increasing introduction in American school systems, and how it makes a difference.......2005-08-05

Jay Mathews & Ian Hill's Supertest: How The International Baccalaureate Can Strengthen Our Schools deftly assesses the statistics about the Baccalaureate, including its impact on student chances for success in college and life. Chapters provide a history of the IB, its increasing introduction in American school systems, and how it makes a difference in the transition to college. Sounds like dry reading: but the concurrent story of one American high school that adopted the IB adds a personal flavor and human interest touch to the statistics and discussions.

Your kids deserve IB - learn what it is and why from Jay.......2005-04-19

"Washington Post" reporter Jay Mathews extends his appreciation of challenge in our high schools by identifying the grandest and most challenging of them all: the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Jay created "Newsweek" magazine's Challenge Index, and his writing is always approachable and easy to follow. This book maintains that special style. He writes here very specifically about a local DC-area high school and its experiences with beginning and maintaining the rigorous IB curriculum. You come to really care about the students and teachers he profiles, and to share their trials and successes and occasional failures with them. The book features an extremely effective method of integrating chapters about the creation and operation of the IB program as a whole - written by a co-author from the IB Organization - with chapters about Fairfax County, VA's Mount Vernon High School and the people involved with getting IB up and running there. And of the battles in Fairfax County and elsewhere about IB and its rival, the Advanced Placement (AP) program. In my mind there is no contest - IB is far and away the better program, especially for exposing kids to what college will be like. And there is no better predictor of success in college (i.e., graduating) than having taken at least one rigorous course in high school, especially one from IB which teaches how to think and plan and lean. But read Jay's book and decide for yourself. He does an excellent job of iterating the AP proponents concerns about IB, some legitimate - most not, and of exposing as fools or frauds a few of the opponents and their methods for keeping this excellent program out of their schools. They won, but did their kids a real disservice with their victory.

If you have any interest in bringing out what is best in our high school kids - in ALL of our high school kids - then you should read this book. The IB program is the best high school curriculum extant today. And don't just take my word for it. Read the book and you'll see that those precise words are used by the MIT Admissions' Director.

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Bland Tone & Undeveloped Characters - not Rinaldi's best
It'll hold your interest only because the main characters were real.
A nice, quiet read
Boooorrriiiinnnnggg
Vivid slice of well-known American history.

Sarah's Ground
Ann Rinaldi
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Historical Fiction | History & Historical Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0689859252

Book Description

Sarah Tracy has spent her entire life under constant supervision, always under the thumb of one older sibling or another. Now, at eighteen, it's time she was married, so she is being sent to dinner parties, plays, teas, soirees, talks, and chaperoned walks -- always accompanied, always watched.

Sarah's tired of being shipped around, tired of being reminded that it's time to find a suitable husband. Then Sarah sees an advertisement looking for a young woman to oversee Mount Vernon, the old family home of George Washington. Lying to her family and her potential employer, Sarah becomes mistress of this decaying symbol of American freedom.

And then comes the American Civil War. As battles rage around her, Sarah is determined to create a haven of peace at Mount Vernon. Sarah single-handedly manages to keep Mount Vernon out of the war. But while she is able to influence generals, soldiers, and the president, she learns she doesn't hold such sway over her own heart -- as she also discovers true love.

Based on a true story, this is the amazing tale of one girl's path to womanhood.

Customer Reviews:

Bland Tone & Undeveloped Characters - not Rinaldi's best.......2007-05-19

Ann Rinaldi can write well-developed characters and historical romance - read TIME ENOUGH FOR DRUMS! However, this book is not a good example of that. It is written as if Sarah (main character) is writing it, and unfortunately, it ends up feeling like it really was written by a teenage non-writer. There is some interesting historical information, but all in all, the characters and relationships were underdeveloped and the descriptions were bland. It read like plot point, fact, plot point, fact.... I felt like a was reading a rough draft that hadn't been fleshed out yet. I almost wondered if the writer got bored with this one and didn't spend time revising and polishing it.

It'll hold your interest only because the main characters were real........2006-04-24

"Sarah's Ground" is a very mature book author Ann Rinaldi wrote. I found it interesting that she chose to employ the use of a diary method, yet kept the use of chapters and didn't use dates for each entry - just a double space between each one. The story was a bit slow moving, and I would have enjoyed reading more about the refurbishing of the house. I had no idea that Mount Vernon was neutral ground during the Civil War, much less that there was a Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. What further astonished me was that there really a Sarah Tracy and Upton Herbert, and I was blown away to find out in Rinaldi's author's note that they were real people. If only for that reason read this book. I "sorta" recommend

A nice, quiet read.......2005-07-17

Rinaldi has the most wonderful gift: she can take the tiniest, unknown aspect of history and make it as a brilliant as a star.

True to her talent, she once again chooses a lesser known event in history and gives it depth and dimension.

If you're looking for a highly devoloped romance, this isn't it. If you're looking for bloody action scenes from the Civil War... this isn't it. Instead, "Sarah's Ground" offers the point of view of a young woman and her struggle to remain neutral during the escalation of violence between the Union and Confederacy. She makes it her duty to protect Mount Vernon, where George Washington made his home decades before.

This book is a quiet, relaxing read in which you can easily whittle away the afternoon.

Boooorrriiiinnnnggg.......2004-08-29

This book is SO boring just like any other Ann Rinaldi book except for "The Coffin Quilt" it was pretty good. Don't waste your time reading it because after a month you'll forget what happened in the book.

Vivid slice of well-known American history........2004-06-17

This historical novel, set during the tumultuous times of the Civil War, profiles the work of Sarah Tracy, a young woman who is determined to lead an independent life. Sarah is tired of her family's constant supervision and their reminders that it's time for her to find a suitable husband. So she lies to her family and potential employer in order to secure a position as caretaker of Mount Vernon, George Washington's former home.

Sarah's struggle to keep Mount Vernon's grounds neutral, practically sitting on the border of the North and South and within miles of bloody conflicts, brings her into contact with famous figures from the Civil War, including Abraham Lincoln. She must decide how to handle the African-American servants working at Mount Vernon, whose status is unclear. She also has to work closely with Upton Herbert, a gracious Southern gentleman who becomes very important to her.

Ann Rinaldi, a historical re-enactor herself, certainly knows how to make the past interesting. Her main characters are three-dimensional and relatable; teens will be able to sympathize with Sarah and understand why she is so annoyed with her family. It's a shame though that the Epilogue feels the need to defend Rinaldi's artistic license. Most people should understand that a historical novel might embellish a story to make it interesting to the modern reader.

The author explains in the Epilogue that she invented the storyline of Sarah's friend Mary and their argument over Upton Herbert. Stories in which women argue over a man are disappointing and should almost always be avoided. Luckily, though, this story has enough going for it to overcome that problem. The Epilogue does refer to Sarah and Upton's future, answering questions that readers will no doubt want answered.

Ann Rinaldi once again brings to vivid life a slice of little-known American history in a way that will have readers wanting to learn more about Mount Vernon and Sarah's history.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

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Presidents (even the worse ones) are Human Too

A Camp David "veteran" reports

Interesting inside information

Presidents at Play

Great History Without Cynicism

FROM MOUNT VERNON TO CRAWFORD: A HISTORY OF THE PRESIDENTS AND THEIR RETREATS
Kenneth T. Walsh
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Historical | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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Air Force One: A History of the Presidents and Their Planes

Standing Next to History: An Agent's Life Inside the Secret Service

Real Life at the White House: 200 Years of Daily Life at America's Most Famous Residence

Air Force One: The Aircraft that Shaped the Modern Presidency

Air Force One

ASIN: 1401301215

Book Description

From the chief White House correspondent for U.S. News World Report, a fascinating and unique look at our presidents' retreats, hideaways, and homes n Air Force One, Kenneth T. Walsh looked at presidential history from the unusual and illuminating vantage point of the presidents' planes. Now he focuses on the various retreats where our commanders-in-chief have gone to escape the hustle and bustle of Washington, chronicling the important decisions that were made and the historic events that have occurred at them. Moreover, he describes what these sites reveal about the characters of the presidents and the times in which they lived.

Customer Reviews:

Presidents (even the worse ones) are Human Too.......2005-11-16

This book, written by Kenneth Walsh, author of Air Force One is every bit as interesting. It brings out the human side of the various holders of the office of the President of the United States. Unlike his previous book, this one goes all the way back to George Washington (who never flew on Air Force One).

No matter what your opinion is of the various presidents, this book shows that from the very beginning, the stresses of the office are such that each needs a "personal place" to get away. Most of the presidents have, to some extent been criticized for their numerous "vacations" or "holidays" away from the official office to their homes or private spots. This book illustrates that, for many of these executives, the only time that they really had to foment their plans for handling the decisions of their office was when they were out of the grind of their daily duties in the White House (or, for Washington, the President's home in Philadelphia).

I feel that this is an excellent book (just like Air Force One) for illustrating the personal side and the real working side of the office of the President

A Camp David "veteran" reports.......2005-09-01

Having served at Camp David from 1975 to 1977 as the Commanding Officer of the Marine Security Company, I was extremely interested in what Mr. Walsh had to write about the official "Presidential Retreat"....I was reminded of the day when a much younger Richard Cheney (then Chief of Staff to President Ford) and his wife Lynn got stuck in heavy snow as they were driving to the camp in a VW Beetle...the Sgt. of the Guard and I went to their aid in a jeep and got then safely to Camp David!...President Carter loved playing softball and would occasionally form some of his Secret Service agents and pilots into a team and play the Marines...if I recall correctly, the Leathernecks usually managed to come out on top!...anyway, Mr. Walsh's research certainly paid off as he is right on target in describing the Naval Support Facility, Thurmont, Maryland....for someone interested in a combination of American history and presidential politics. this book is a must.

Interesting inside information.......2005-08-06

Everyone needs a place to "get away from it all." While presidents are never free from the responsibilities of their office, especially with modern technology, each president has a place to get away as much as possible, and this book tells us about them.

It is interesting to read about how they chose their get-aways, and what they do while they're at their favorite places. I learned more about the physical layout and multiple projects going on at Prairie Chapel Ranch (current President Bush's favorite get-away), and Camp David, a weekend retreat of presidents since Franklin Roosevelt.

"From Mount Vernon to Crawford" is an informative, fun, and easy read.

Presidents at Play.......2005-05-17

Walsh focuses on presidents at leisure, how their retreats from the White House reflect their presidencies. He doesn't treat all presidents, just the best-known early ones, then all from FDR on. The earlier benefit from the best recent scholarship, like Pinsker's of the Soldiers' Home cottage where Lincoln spent a quarter of his presidency. Where White House correspondent Walsh really shines, however, is with the modern presidents he or his contacts covered, especially from LBJ on: great detail! The special glimpse of Camp David is especially insightful. It's as close to an inside view as you can find.

Great History Without Cynicism.......2005-05-11

One of the few great teachers I had in college made history come to life with timely anectodes. Ken Walsh provides rich and fascinating lessons about American presidents with great stories that are both fun to read and amazingly revealing about the men who have been our presidents.

He presents us with an easy read that is, thankfully, devoid of the cynicism that permeates today's journalism. And he does so without fawning over any of his subjects.

His treatment, for example, of Richard Nixon's western White House in San Clemente helps us understand the crazed complexity that was Nixon. Or the way he describes Gerald Ford's skiing vacations in Vail with photographers only interested in capturing the inevitable spills in the snow, shows the impossibility of being both presidennt and 'normal.'

Or his contrast between two contemporary presidents returning to their land -- Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush -- demonstrates ultimately the values of both men.

This is a book worth reading, worth sharing, worth giving to friends and family.

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Mount Vernon Love Story [LARGE PRINT]

Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0739427571

George Washington's Mount Vernon: At Home in Revolutionary America

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A Successful Mix
A story at the heart of the republic
This book enriches our understanding of Washington.
Washington understood as an architect for democracy

George Washington's Mount Vernon: At Home in Revolutionary America
Robert F. Dalzell , and Lee Baldwin Dalzell
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0195136284

Book Description

George Washington's Mount Vernon brings together--for the first time--the details of Washington's 45-year endeavor to build and perfect Mount Vernon. In doing so it introduces us to a Washington few of his contemporaries knew, and one little noticed by historians since. Here we meet the planter/patriot who also genuinely loved building, a man passionately human in his desire to impress on his physical surroundings the stamp of his character and personal beliefs. As chief architect and planner of the countless changes made at Mount Vernon over the years, Washington began by imitating accepted models of fashionable taste, but as time passed he increasingly followed his own ideas. Hence, architecturally, as the authors show, Mount Vernon blends the orthodox and the innovative in surprising ways, just as the new American nation would. Equally interesting is the light the book sheds on the process of building at Mount Vernon, and on the people--slave and free--who did the work. Washington was a demanding master, and in their determination to preserve their own independence his workers often clashed with him. Yet, as the Dalzells argue, that experience played a vital role in shaping his hopes for the future of American society--hope that embraced in full measure the promise of the revolution in which he had led his fellow citizens. George Washington's Mount Vernon thus compellingly combines the two sides of Washington's life--the public and the private--and uses the combination to enrich our understanding of both. Gracefully written, with more than 80 photographs, maps, and engravings, the book tells a fascinating story with memorable insight.

Customer Reviews:

A Successful Mix.......2000-05-08

Knowing Professor Dalzell and Mrs. Dalzell personally, I was incredibly curious to see how they blended the two seemingly connected but perhaps contrasting topics of George Washington and his home. Essentially, they were connected very successfully. The entire history of the home itself is told vividly with photographs, anecdotes, and objective descriptions of its development. Following, Washington's own personal, military, and political history is told in light of the times, and in the book's shining ability, in relation to the home itself. The Dalzell's cleverly-melded arguments and discussions leads the reader to a full knowledge of Mt. Vernon and its inspiring owner.

A story at the heart of the republic.......1998-11-13

I openned this book expecting to read a story about a house and how it was built. I was surprised, and impressed, to discover that what went on as Mt. Vernon took form was far more interesting than I had expected. This is not so much a book about a house as it is the story of how George Washington related to the slaves on whom he relied to execute his architecture. In other words, the story here reverberates far beyond the boundaries of the plantation. It went to the heart of the republic, and it goes to the heart of this nation. Slavery is encoded in our national DNA (sorry, Jefferson). The Dalzells make it clear that it is also mortared in the wood and plaster (cut and painted to look like stone) of our national edifice. Are you tormented, or at least intrigued, that a slaveowner could style himself father of a republic dedicated to freedom? Maybe Washington was, too. Find out. Visit Mt. Vernon, and do it by reading this book.

This book enriches our understanding of Washington........1998-11-03

Mount Vernon was both architecturally innovative and a true mirror of Washington's feelings and mind. He never wrote an autobiography and his diaries consist largely of farm accounts, but in Mount Vernon, the authors write, "he produced a text from which it is possible to coax a remarkably full sense of his political convictions and of how, over time, they changed." The book, George Washington's Mount Vernon, combines the public and the private sides of his life and uses the combination to enrich our understanding of both.

Washington understood as an architect for democracy.......1998-09-15

For an Architect practicing in any era since Monticello was built, it has always been easy to enter into Jefferson's process--to commune with the models and the methods he sat down with as he designed (time and again) the house that he built as a monument to his ideas and his place in history. In part, this has been because he planned and drew much as we do today. We have the drawings. We know (and can quickly avert our eyes from) the form of labor. We can hold these two-dimensional maps up to the brilliant artifact, and be satisfied, with ourselves, that we have made a connection to the past. Mount Vernon, however, has had to wait for the Dalzells to read, for us, the full and fully three-dimensional process of its becoming. This beautifully written book brings to George Washington's home, a context of meaning and National symbolism that time and distance had almost obliterated. The book is a restoration project: and as such, it is a key compliment to the preservation work so ably executed over the years by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association. I heartily recommend this book to architects (amateur and professional), their clients (who may find comfort in learning that building has always been a trial), architectural historians, or anyone at all who is curious about the faithfulness of our democracy to the designs of one of its primary draftsmen.

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Beatiful and fascinating
Beatiful and fascinating

Washington's Gardens at Mount Vernon
Mac Griswold
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Essays | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0395929709

Book Description

For gardeners and readers of early American history, here is the first book to document the unknown George Washington --- landscaper, farmer, and gardener of Mount Vernon. Remarkably, the George Washington who spent forty-five years designing and planting the gardens at Mount Vernon is virtually unknown today, hidden behind the icon of the first president's frozen dignity. In her new book, Mac Griswold reveals to us a man who gathered seed, transplanted and pruned trees, and designed a kitchen garden, a pleasure garden, and even a botanical garden, where he did all the experimental work himself. Washington left for historians and restorationists a wealth of memos, directives, diaries, plans, and plant lists that documented every step of his creation (and now the recreation) of his gardens. Out of this wealth of archival material, Griswold paints a remarkably vivid picture of eighteenth-century gardening.

Customer Reviews:

Beatiful and fascinating.......2003-05-08

This lovely book, full beatiful photographs is a must for any one interested in American history and garden history in general. In fact it gives us Americans a garden history (slavery excluded) to be as proud of as the British are of theirs.
Lots of well researched interesting facts, useful advice, historical insight and pretty pictures make this book thoroughly enjoyable and I recomend it highly.

Beatiful and fascinating.......2003-05-08

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