In 1999, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association inaugurated the Bookshelf series in commemoration of the bicentennial of George Washington's death. Each volume in the ongoing collection will provide a concise overview of a specific Washingtonian topic, offering a wealth of valuable information on such areas as the soldier-statesman's domestic life, political and social interests, and service to the new nation.

Throughout his life George Washington demonstrated a capacity to face danger with determination and to suffer hardship with dignity. At no time were these qualities more evident than in...