In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from
thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray
and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson’s
eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph—a woman who kept the secrets
of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy.
From her earliest days, Martha "Patsy" Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter, she becomes his helpmate in the wake of her mother’s death, traveling with him when he becomes American minister to France. And it is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that she learns of her father’s liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age.
Patsy too has fallen in love—with her father’s protégé, William Short, a
staunch abolitionist intent on a career in Europe.
Heartbroken at having to decide between being William’s wife or a devoted
daughter, she returns to Virginia
with her father and marries a man of his choosing, raising eleven children of
her own.
Yet as family secrets come to light during her father's
presidency, Patsy must again decide how much she will sacrifice to protect his
reputation, in the process defining not just Jefferson’s
political legacy, but that of the nation he founded.
MY REVIEW: Thomas Jefferson was immeasurably complex--as
fascinated with the world as the world would become, and remain, fascinated with
the man himself. Jefferson's legacy is
indelible, not without scandal, and it continues to evolve. He was a man of
words and a man of letters--many thousands of letters and many more thousands
of words. After the death of her mother, his eldest daughter, Martha, called
"Patsy", would become her father's helpmate and traveling companion,
assisting him when he became America's
minister to France.
"America's
First Daughter", by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, is a first-person
telling of Patsy's personal life and her life as the daughter of the brilliant
historical icon Thomas Jefferson. Always devoted to her father and his public
and political standing, Patsy would sacrifice much of her own personal
happiness to protect and preserve the Jefferson
name. In her role as a guardian of both her father and the nation he helped to
found, Patsy Jefferson shaped the country and its history as no one else could.
Book Copy Gratis Library Thing
STEPHANIE DRAY
Stephanie Dray writes historical fiction and fantasy. Using
the transformative power of magic realism, she illuminates the stories of women
in history so as to inspire the young women of today. She remains fascinated by
all things Egyptian and has–to the consternation of her devoted
husband–collected a house full of cats and ancient artifacts.
LAURA KAMOIE
Laura Kamoie has always been fascinated by the people,
stories, and physical presence of the past, which led her to a lifetime of
historical and archaeological study and training. She holds a doctoral degree
in early American history from The College of William and Mary, published two
non-fiction books on early America,
and most recently held the position of Associate Professor of History at the
U.S. Naval Academy before transitioning to a full-time career writing genre
fiction as the New York Times bestselling author, Laura Kaye. Her debut
historical novel, America's
First Daughter, co-authored with Stephanie Dray, allowed her the exciting
opportunity to combine her love of history with her passion for storytelling.
Laura lives among the colonial charm of Annapolis,
Maryland with her husband and two
daughters.
I hadn't heard of this second book yet. Thanks for the heads up, Virginia!
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