hiltzmoore's review against another edition
5.0
This was everything a good historical fiction should be. I was hesitant going into this book, thinking that it was going to be 500+ pages of Martha Jefferson being upset that her father had a relationship with Sally Hemmings. While a great deal of the book had this as an undercurrent, Martha's life had so many other fascinating circumstances and the authors did a great job pulling all these circumstances together into a cohesive and comprehensive story. I might be ready to read a Jefferson biography now after hesitating for years because he's not very likable. This book doesn't hide the family's flaws, but asks the reader to take them in as a part of the complicated truth of our country's history. My favorite thing about this book was that the dialogue was not written with completely modern linguistic structure. It wasn't entirely 18th/19th century styling either, but managed to pull the reader into an older time without making the entire book difficult to read. That's the first time I've seen that in a historical fiction book and that was very well done.
karaklos's review against another edition
5.0
America’s First Daughter is the astonishing fictionalized story of Martha Jefferson Randolph, daughter of Thomas Jefferson. Filled with fascinating history and family saga, this book was a joy to read. Complex characters with conflicting principles and actions will make you shake your head and want to read more.
It’s the story of a daughter and her unrelenting support and devotion to her father and his legacy at a time when women had no legal power or position. Raising a large family of her own, Martha also mothered many of her extended family members’ children under difficult living and marital conditions and constant dire financial circumstances.
The morality of owning slaves and men taking slaves as concubines was a central theme in the book. While the reality is simply awful (and hypocritical in Jefferson’s case), the authors do a fine job explaining the Jeffersons’ home life and sentiment in Virginia at the time.
While much of the story is imagined based on piecing together clues and condensed for brevity, it’s a wonderful book that will make you want to read more about American history.
It’s the story of a daughter and her unrelenting support and devotion to her father and his legacy at a time when women had no legal power or position. Raising a large family of her own, Martha also mothered many of her extended family members’ children under difficult living and marital conditions and constant dire financial circumstances.
The morality of owning slaves and men taking slaves as concubines was a central theme in the book. While the reality is simply awful (and hypocritical in Jefferson’s case), the authors do a fine job explaining the Jeffersons’ home life and sentiment in Virginia at the time.
While much of the story is imagined based on piecing together clues and condensed for brevity, it’s a wonderful book that will make you want to read more about American history.
swissmunicipal's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book and particularly appreciated that they outlined at the end areas where they may have embellished reality where the facts where a little difficult to discern. Either way, I think the biggest impression that is left with me is how much progress has been made in removing patriarchal dominance from our society, as well as a heightened awareness of how far we still have to go.
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
5.0
I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I don't normally read romance, and I am not a big fan of Thomas Jefferson, either. I liked how the authors introduced quotes from actual letters at the beginning of each chapter to help further the narrative they created.
heidirgorecki's review against another edition
4.0
Such an interesting and heartfelt look into Thomas Jefferson’s daughter’s life, and by extension, a little of his also. So many sad and difficult things that Patsy Jefferson endured, and heartbreaking how a number of women in their family married destructive and abusive men. Amazing how one decision can ruin so many things.
I did feel disappointed about how the story with Sally Hemings was told. I get that to portray the relationship as it probably was - not her choice to be Jefferson’s mistress and forced as a slave - would have made a terrible story, but I imagine it was more likely to be true than a mutual infatuation. It’s definitely a sad and awful piece of Jefferson’s story with all he did for freedom for the rest of the nation.
But the book was very well written and very interesting. I enjoyed it, though not as much as My Dear Hamilton. But maybe I just liked Hamilton better.
I did feel disappointed about how the story with Sally Hemings was told. I get that to portray the relationship as it probably was - not her choice to be Jefferson’s mistress and forced as a slave - would have made a terrible story, but I imagine it was more likely to be true than a mutual infatuation. It’s definitely a sad and awful piece of Jefferson’s story with all he did for freedom for the rest of the nation.
But the book was very well written and very interesting. I enjoyed it, though not as much as My Dear Hamilton. But maybe I just liked Hamilton better.