Book excerpt: This is the eighth volume of Dr. Justin Glenn’s comprehensive history that traces the “Presidential line” of the Washingtons. Volume one began with the immigrant John Washington, who settled in Westmoreland Co., Va., in 1657, married Anne Pope, and became the great-grandfather of President George Washington. It continued the record of their descendants for a total of seven generations. Volume two highlighted notable members of the next eight generations, including such luminaries as General George S. Patton, the author Shelby Foote, and the actor Lee Marvin. Volume three traced the ancestry of the early Virginia members of this “Presidential Branch” back to the royalty and nobility of England and continental Europe. Volumes four, five, six, and seven treated respectively generations eight, nine, ten, and eleven. Volume Eight presents generations twelve through fifteen, comprising more than 8,500 descendants of the immigrant John Washington. Although structured in a genealogical format for the sake of clarity, this is no bare bones genealogy but a true family history with over 1,200 detailed biographical narratives. These strive to convey the greatness of the family that produced not only The Father of His Country but many others, great and humble, who struggled to build that country.