Mary Ball Washington: The Untold Story of George Washington's Mother

The New York Times bestselling author offers and intimate portrait of America’s original first family in this groundbreaking major biography of Mary Ball Washington, George Washington’s mother, filled with rich anecdotes and stories that reveal the father of our country in a fresh and original way. The Mother of the Father tells the story of one of the most controversial, unconventional and complicated women in American history and how she handled the contentious relationship with the firstborn son who would become the nation’s most revered Founding Father. Mary Washington has been portrayed as everything from Mother Theresa to “Mommy Dearest.” The truth is somewhere in-between.

Craig Shirley uncovers startling details about the inner workings of the Washington family. He vividly brings to life a strong, resilient widow who raised six children and ran a large farm on her own at a time when women’s duties were relegated to household matters. He also shows that while Mary demonstrated admirable qualities that s.