Rose Rosetree > Recent Status Updates

In Washington's second term, the criticism is perpetual and includes many of his fellow politicians.

Meanwhile, privately, he faces such health struggles as -- at one time, only having 1 tooth of his own in his head. The false teeth of the era sound grotesque.

Yet George persevered, doing his honorable best.

Sadly, both George and Martha Washington lied --and flouted the law--in order to proect their slave-holding interests.

It's a very sad part of his biography, to be sure.

Many American "leaders" did everything they could to sabotage centralized government. They reminded me of teenagers who rebelled against parental authority (in this case, England and King George).

Yet, aside from rebelling, they had few ideas about how they could make their independence actually work.

After the first State of the Union Address, President Washington made wise choices and relied upon his very able ally, Alexander Hamilton, to help him.

Early in his first term, President Washington has tasked himself with visiting all 13 of the states. How did he endure all the performance art required?

For the first time since starting this magnificent biography by Ron Chernow, even I am bored. All the posturing by Gov. John Hancock, especially! President George's sense of duty kept him going but (as it seems to me) just barely.

Right from the first presidency, Washington had to face so much obstruction, such jealousy, and a ton of complaints.

Plus ca change in government, plus la meme chose!

How did Martha Washington respond to being the wife of the first president?

I'll put bluntly what biographer Chernow worked very hard to sanitize:

She never stopped resenting her life. Hated politics. Stayed at home a lot. And clamped a cheerful expression onto her face.

Okay, she did what she had to do to survive. But, really?

While planning for the Inauguration was underway, back in England, King George had a spell of insanity.

During which he imagined that HE was George Washington, being inaugurated as president.

(I figure this detail is not a "spoiler")

The description of America's first Presidential Inauguration was so touching.

George W. assumed the Constitution would be amended in the future. Frequently.

I wish we had done!

It really was uphill going, negotiating with holdouts for America having a constitutional convention.

George Mason, whose name adorns a university here in Virginia, voted AGAINST this. Despite his alleged brilliance.

But Washington and our country won.

George Washington is, for good reason, agonizing about whether or not to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

One reason I enjoy reading books is about history is that we can be reminded that impossibilities can really happen. Life can turn out better than we fear.

I'm still having trouble renewing this book on Libby. However, the good news is, today I made it to the Loudoun Country Regional Library and checked out 10 audiobooks that look fabulous.

Thank goodness for public libraries!

Why the pause? I am still awaiting renewal from Libby. Lucky you, who've been able to finish this.

Why the pause? I am still awaiting renewal from Libby. Lucky you, who've been able to finish this.

How I look forward to reviewing "The Last Passenger," my friends on Goodreads.

Whereas with "The Bookshop"? Oh yes, I'm finished.

"The Last Passenger" is lively. It's honest rather than pedantic. It's well-plotted fiction that is personal and packed with human interest.

In addition, it's fabulous as a historical novel. Just yesterday I gained new perspective on the color green, including the significance of the song title "Greensleeves."

Finished, as in fed up.

Professor Friss is the most boring historian I've encountered since high school. Imo.

For comparison, I'm now reading "The Last Passenger," which I choose to review all in one chunk, unlike how I started Evan's book -- expecting to find it wonderful.

At least Virginia finally marries Paul!

Virginia's story becomes so tragic, due to the classic case of discrimination against her by the macho bosses at the CIA.

Only no legislation exists yet to protect her.

All too often under-employed, and treated badly due to being a woman, Virginia still found ways to make a difference.

Especially after Winston Churchill's groundbreaking wake-up call, his "Iron Curtain" speech.

After World War II ended in Europe, Virginia went back to Paris with her lover. Then she went to Lyon, where a mood of despair prevailed. So much had been lost, and still needed repair.

"So human!" I thought. People don't bounce back instantly from Nazi cruelty and deprivation. I think it was beautiful how Virginia stayed, hoping to be of service.

World War I is over. The saga is winding down.

Oh, I don't want this book to end. Virginia has become one of my heroes!!!!

Months after D-Day, France was not liberated. Virginia worked persistently, even when her Resistance colleagues acted unprofessionally.

Later, the women of the village took the parachute silks from the many drops, sewing them into blouses and dresses.

Magnificent writing and pacing described what it meant to Virginia, and her Resisters, when RAF pilots from England made their first drop parachute drop.

We learn in detail all the necessary supplies, and goodies, that were receivedby the Resistance cells that Virginia ran.

When Virginia began working in the High Loire area, she had 30 volunteers for the Resistance.

By the time she left, she had 400.

How Virginia summoned up the patience not to leave in disgust? When receiving horrible, sexist treatment from these Frenchmen, it was beyond amazing how she stayed focused on her mission.

Kept her head down. Kept on working for the Resistance.

Not until today's reading did I learn that, among the French Resistance workers (whom Virginia risked her life to help), were ornery, scrappy Frenchmen with such strong tribal hatreds . . . .

It's as though, within World War II, they were fighting their own French Civil War.

Observers of her then said she had an inner serenity, even when walking into danger after danger. Members of the French Resistance said she reminded them of "a Madonna."