In terms of biographies, it is always refreshing to get a firsthand account versus an objective account of the subject’s whims and actions from a purely research-driven perspective. Although the first does allow for some fiction in the subject’s personality, opinions, and actions in little ways, the overall historical truths of the subject’s story being told are not diminished. Nancy Moser approaches her biographical novels in such a fashion. By doing so, she enables her readers to feel a greater interest, compassion, and respect for the individual she has so meticulously researched and worked so hard to honorably represent.

In a detailed account of her life beginning about a year prior to her meeting George Washington, readers of Washington's Lady are taken on the sad journey of grief and survival that Martha Washington was forced to endure within the first years of her first marriage. Sadly, because of the conditions of the times and the inferior representation of the colonies in the eyes of their mother country, England, loss and survival were a continual a way of life.

Martha met and married George Washington shortly after the death of her first husband. She knew from the first moment that she met him that he was the one for her. But through the years, as the colonies continued to suffer under the tyranny of Britain, she realized his place would soon be leading the fight against the British and bringing liberty and freedom to them all.

As he fought, strategized, lead, and struggled to maintain morale, Martha was his godsend in many ways. She travelled with him as much as possible, cared for the troops’ uniforms and morale, and set an example among the spouses of the officers. Her beautiful kindness and humble acceptance of simple accommodations with limited or no luxuries, simple fabrics and clothing, and constant support of her husband and their cause made her an inspiration and role model to all the women she met. Everyone had to embrace the cause for the colonies to unite, separate, and succeed as once country. Martha led by example and was honored for that.

Moser wonderfully represents Martha Washington as a role model to women throughout the colonies during the war and after independence was gained. She is shown for the human she was and not put on a pedestal of impossible standards against which no person can truly live. Martha Washington did have a great many faults, parenting being one of her greatest, and Moser doesn't shy from highlighting the fact that without George Washington, Martha’s children would not have been morally or honorably self-guided individuals. All in all, perhaps one of the most interesting perspectives that could be perceived from this biography is that both George and Martha needed each other in order to make their places in history.