America's First Daughter

A Novel

By: Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 23 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, best-selling 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 15-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.

©2016 Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Journey through the time with Patsy

Oh what can I say? This has been a beautiful saga and I am glad I now know more about Martha Jefferson Randolph. She was a strong, brilliant and genteel woman of her time and should be credited with much of her fathers successes. I did not want the story to come to an end and wanted to continue on learning more about the children of both her and Sally. I enjoyed the liberties the authors took with this book in making it more of a fiction-type novel, yet it did not seem un plausible at all. It definitely peeked my interest to read/listen to more novels about the lives, scandals, and nation during the time of the founding fathers!! Well done!!

Best ever history!

So factual and timely.
Our country did not have perfect men conceive us but they were brilliant!

wonderful historical novel

I hesitantly bought this but am so glad I did. Wonderful flowing story that reminds me how far we have come with womens rights. great character development. Great narrator. Awesome epilogue and notes from author. The majority of the story is historically accurate and left me wanting more.

Brilliant

America's First Daughter was the best book I have listened to in a long time! The narrator's voice is enchanting and the story was gripping!

Beautiful step into history !

This was very well written and documented and painted a fascinating, heartfelt picture of one of the nations many unsung heros, along side one of its legends!

Educational, Enjoyable, Enlightening

While this is a "novel", I realized early in the book that the author presents a well researched story with a substantial level of fact. I wish the author's notes had been presented at the beginning of the recording. The author creates a superbly rich portrayal of Martha Jefferson Randolph and her world. It's a long book but, for Jefferson enthusiasts, we'll worth the invested time.

Women of strength

surprisingly captivating story, eloquently told from her perspective. Would definitely recommend, proves that behind most great men, there is a woman.

Worth the Read

I really enjoyed reading this book from the eyes of Thomas Jefferson’s daughter. The strength, loyalty and character was inspiring.

captivating, great insight into historical facts

The length of this story could've gone on forever and I would have still begged for more. What a captivating story based on the times of our country's independent beginning. Despite critics complaints that it is more romanticized fiction than truth, I found the authors' research and insights in filling in the blanks most appreciated. The authors' notes at the end I found very sound and supportive to their choices in variants for the story line. I have already recommended this book personally to my family and friends that enjoy history, stories of personal conflict, and love.

The narrator was perfect for this reading. Her accent and femininity are delightful and true to my idea of Southern charm. Plus, her ability to vary between characters was very effective.

If these authors write another sequel to this story on another historical figure, I would gladly but it!

AWESOME story. I wish there were more like this

so much effort to be historically accurate while making an excellent, heartfelt and entertaining story