America's First Daughter

A Novel

De: Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie

Narrado por: Cassandra Campbell

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, 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, protector, and constant companion in the wake of her mother’s death, traveling with him when he becomes American minister to France.

It is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that fifteen-year-old Patsy learns about her father’s troubling liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age. Meanwhile, Patsy has fallen in love—with her father’s protégé William Short, a staunch abolitionist and ambitious diplomat. Torn between love, principles, and the bonds of family, Patsy questions whether she can choose a life as William’s wife and still be a devoted daughter.

Her choice will follow her in the years to come, to Virginia farmland, Monticello, and even the White House. And as scandal, tragedy, and poverty threaten her family, Patsy must decide how much she will sacrifice to protect her father's reputation, in the process defining not just his political legacy, but that of the nation he founded.

Great Read of politics and love

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook to all of my friends., it was very well written, stayed very close to the truth as evidence of the letters that Martha/Thomas Jefferson wrote and the audio was superb

What other book might you compare America's First Daughter to and why?

I do not have another book which I have read that compares to this error or time. I have read Charles Dickens and it is very close to the same type of rendereing

What does Cassandra Campbell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

the audio in this transition was magnificent., the accents of the author I could not do as well

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was deeply moved when Martha decides to forgive her husband one more time due to her thinking that it was her fault he had lost his way

Fantastic! Entertaining!

Would you listen to America's First Daughter again? Why?

I love the liberty they took in telling the story and the realism that came through. Patsy Jefferson became real to me. I was wide eyed through much of the story and the progressive thinking that came about slavery but the social inability to shift it within their time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sally Hemings became so much more than a slave. I saw so much more acceptance, so much more of Sally as a woman and mother - and not a slave. She was the sister of Jefferson's first wife and it seems to me that she would be more like her sister than not, or at least more like Patsy. Smart, well spoken....able.

What does Cassandra Campbell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It's not just facts - although the most outrageous parts of the story seem to be based on fact. She makes the story flow so intoxicatingly.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

This story will draw you in and intoxicate you, seeing the Jefferson's and life at Monticello like never before...

Any additional comments?

Well done!

Review of America’s First Daughter

I found this book about Thomas Jefferson’s daughter a compelling read. It was extremely well written and brought to life the very real struggles of this first of America’s daughters family. Instead of being a compilation of accomplishments, this book revealed their very real humanity and everyday struggles. I recommend this book for all who want more than a cursory understanding of this Presidents daughters life..

Captivating and informative

This wonderful book had me looking into our nations history with a new drive I haven’t had since I was a child. It is wonderfully gripping and will have the reader not wanting to stop the book. One of the best books I have listened to in a while.

Totally delightful

I loved this book. History and a strong female lead. Some of this history is hard to take but it’s based on the realities of slavery and the oppression of women. Provided insights into the lives of one of our founding fathers and the women behind him.