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
Reviews
"Painstakingly researched, beautifully hewn, compulsively readable -- this enlightening literary journey takes us from Monticello to revolutionary Paris to the Jefferson White House, revealing remarkable historical details, dark family secrets, and bringing to life the colorful cast of characters who conceived of our new nation. A must read." (Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental Empress)
"A delectable and poignant read, carefully paced and plotted with pitch perfect dialogue. It deftly draws on the volatile atmosphere of Jefferson's time, recounting his daughter's little-known story -- a heroine tested to the limit, loaded with grit and determination. All the right chords are struck here. You're going to want to read slow and savor this one. Bravo." (Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Jefferson Key)
"AMERICA'S FIRST DAUGHTER is the story of a generation caught between the past and the future of a nation, and illuminates how the actions of one woman managed to sustain a family in spite of the consequences of both privilege and poverty. Not since GONE WITH THE WIND has a single volume family saga so brilliantly portrayed the triumphs, trials, and sins of a family in the American South." (Erika Robuck, bestselling author of Hemingway's Girl and The House of Hawthorne)
"[A]
triumphant, controversial, and fascinating plunge into the complexities
of Revolutionary America, where women held power in subtle ways and men
hid dangerous secrets. You'll never look at Jefferson or his legacy the
same way again." (C.W. Gortner, bestselling author of Mademoiselle
Chanel)
"America's First Daughter brings a turbulent era to vivid life. All the conflicts and complexities of the Early Republic are mirrored in Patsy's story. It's breathlessly exciting and heartbreaking by turns-a personal and political page-turner." (Donna Thorland, author of The Turncoat)
"Fiction can go boldly where history treads warily. In this compelling, poignant novel, Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie open the door into the heart of Martha Jefferson Randolph, the motherless daughter, long-suffering wife, devoted mother and passionate protector of her famous father's lies, secrets, and silences. A remarkable and insightful achievement." (Virginia Scharff, Distinguished Professor of History, University of New Mexico, author of The Women Jefferson Loved)
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.
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