“A true account of young George Washington’s adventures and romances in England in 1751 – as recorded by his companion, master mariner and son of African nobility,
Darius Attucks of New York.”

“What a fun read…I loved this book and would be interested in a possible sequel.”

- Bill Pinkney, first African-American sailor to solo circumnavigate via Cape Horn; the author of As Long as it Takes, with an introduction by Bill Cosby; and captain of the schooner Amistad.

“George in London is funny and a touch irreverent, a fun voyage which, if it didn’t happen, we should wish it did. Tim Queeney captures the spirit of the young Washington and surrounds him with a cast of compelling characters, foremost among them the indomitable Darius Attucks. And if the personal history is made up, the social history is spot on. The customs, speech and eighteenth century settings are rendered with well-researched accuracy. For readers who might like their history leavened with humor, this book is for you.”

- James L. Nelson, author of the books, George Washington’s Secret Navy: How the American Revolution Went to Sea; George Washington’s Great Gamble: And the Sea Battle That Won the American Revolution and With Fire and Sword: The Battle of Bunker Hill and the Beginning of the American Revolution.

See this great review of George in London — “an excellent novel, filled with witty and humorous writing” — from Vanessa Booke on her blog Boekie Book Reviews.

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George Washington made a brief visit to Barbados as a young man and never again left America. Well, that’s what the history books say. But now an eighteenth-century manuscript, discovered at Mount Vernon, changes everything. The manuscript tells of 19-year-old George Washington’s comic, picaresque 1751 trip to London seeking his fortune.

This isn’t George Washington the stuffy old founding father with the wooden teeth. He’s a young man still finding his voice. A younger son with no inheritance, George must find his own way in the world. Little does he imagine the adventure he’ll have in the great imperial city on the Thames.

The account was penned by George’s traveling companion, Darius Attucks, an African-American master mariner. Though an experienced sailor, Darius is barely older than George and not quite the man of the world he imagines. He saves George’s life in a shipwreck and so is convinced he has been tasked by Heaven to be George’s guide and protector.

Darius and George join their patron, a German baron, and sell American land to wealthy Londoners. The well-connected baron promises George cash, a title and even a country estate for his efforts. Best of all, George wins the love of Sophie, a beautiful French countess. What more could a young colonial ask for? George’s expedition to London is an utter success.

But somehow it all goes wrong. Darius, George and Sophie must flee England penniless. Darius’ manuscript is ultimately stashed in the foundation of Mount Vernon, where it is unearthed more than 250 years later.

It’s all captured in Tim Queeney’s novel George in London — A true account of young George Washington’s adventures and romances in England in 1751. Available now at the Amazon Kindle store.

Also available at the Barnes & Noble Nook store.

Cover image by Alfred Wood – http://www.alfredwood.com/.