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America's First Daughter

by Stephanie Dray (Goodreads Author), Laura Kamoie (Goodreads Author)

4.23 · Rating Details · 10,905 Ratings · 1,406 Reviews

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 ...more

Paperback, 580 pages

Published March 1st 2016 by William Morrow Paperbacks

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Aug 14, 2015 Stephanie Thornton rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book is downright delicious, and hands-down wins the award for my favorite novel of Revolutionary America. Ever.

Thomas Jefferson has always been my favorite Founding Father, simply because he's so darn enigmatic. What is one to make of the man who penned the Declaration of Independence, yet kept his own slaves at Monticello and had an affair with his slave Sally Hemings? And while I knew that Jefferson made a promise at his wife's deathbed never to remarry and that he had a daughter who fu ...more

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Apr 16, 2016 Lori rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

This novel took me by surprise. The writing started off a bit shaky, however once Dray & Kalmore found their rhythm the writing became much more fluid and completely sucked me into the story. What I knew of Thomas Jefferson was from high school and college history classes, so I was not expecting his story to read like a soap opera. And Patsy. The sacrifices she made for her father and for his legacy are staggering. I don't know that history would've embraced him as reverently as it has if no ...more

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Oct 09, 2015 Chrissie rated it it was ok

Shelves: bio, usa, hf, race, audible, love, leaders, returned, 2016-read

On completion:

Two stars and I will explain why. You may be looking for exactly what this book gives, but not me.

The book ends with an authors' note that explains in detail both the liberties taken in altering known facts and a clear declaration of what were the authors’ intentions for the book. I am extremely thankful for this clear declaration. It is stated outright that we are given a view of the events through Martha Jefferson Randolph's eyes and that characters are romanticized for dramatic ...more

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Jan 31, 2017 Vish Chap rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie is the story of Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph, a daughter of Thomas Jefferson. Based on Jefferson’s letters and actual historical events, the novel imagines Patsy’s struggles to remain loyal to her father while following her own heart during America’s turbulent post-Revolutionary years.

The novel opens in 1826 just after the death of Jefferson. Patsy is left to go through her father’s letters. In addition to Patsy, Jefferson is survi America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie is the story of Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph, a daughter of Thomas Jefferson. Based on Jefferson’s letters and actual historical events, the novel imagines Patsy’s struggles to remain loyal to her father while following her own heart during America’s turbulent post-Revolutionary years.

The novel opens in 1826 just after the death of Jefferson. Patsy is left to go through her father’s letters. In addition to Patsy, Jefferson is survived by Sally Hemings, a slave about Patsy’s age who is the half-sister of Jefferson’s late wife. Hemings was his lover for many years and the mother of several of his children. Patsy knows the story of her father’s long relationship with Sally can never be told. It is Patsy’s duty to protect both her father and her country by keeping his secrets.

America’s First Daughter is a meticulously researched historical novel based on letters to and from Thomas Jefferson, of which he alone wrote more than 18,000. Many of the events described in the book are based on historical events. Although the novel takes liberties by imagining the thoughts and feelings of Patsy Jefferson, the narrator and protagonist, it is the novel’s liberties that often bring Patsy to life for readers.

The novel is narrated in the first person. As a result, Patsy becomes a relatable figure in all of her longing, desire, and disappointment. Readers witness the maturation of Patsy’s intellect and emotions over the many years of her life. In this sense, American’s First Daughter is a Bildungsroman, or a coming of age story chronicling the development of Patsy’s moral character. As a result of her life experiences, Patsy is transformed from a precocious but idealistic child to a loyal, family- and country-centered adult. Notably, the novel invites readers to imagine Patsy as an extraordinary woman but also as an ordinary person who, throughout her life, faced both successes and failures, love and heartbreak.

America’s First Daughter draws on the conventions of the romance novel by depicting Patsy’s tumultuous, tortured romantic relationships with both William Short and Tom Randolph. By appealing to readers’ emotions, and by exploring the characters’ occasional fatal flaws, the novel draws on generic conventions of tragedy and melodrama. Over the course of 500-plus pages, the protagonists of America’s First Daughter—Patsy, Jefferson, William, and Tom—are developed with complexity. Almost all of them are flawed, but they are sympathetic in their respective commitments to reckoning with some of the most urgent political and ethical questions of their time.

Vish Chap
Co-founder { Instaread }
http://summary.instaread.co/uogg/U9XO... ...more

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Aug 17, 2015 Erika Robuck rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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.

Highly, highly, highly recommended.

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Feb 03, 2016 Susan Johnson rated it it was amazing

If you think politics are dirty today, you should read about the politics in our American history. Other than George Washington, a lot of dirt was spread about politicians. In the race of 1800, Jefferson was said to be dead, an atheist and a coward. John Adams was supposed to be a tyrant and a criminal. Jefferson said to be "a swindler begot by a mulatto upon a half breed Indian squaw" and Adams was called a hermaphrodite. American politics apparently was never for the faint of heart.

This well If you think politics are dirty today, you should read about the politics in our American history. Other than George Washington, a lot of dirt was spread about politicians. In the race of 1800, Jefferson was said to be dead, an atheist and a coward. John Adams was supposed to be a tyrant and a criminal. Jefferson said to be "a swindler begot by a mulatto upon a half breed Indian squaw" and Adams was called a hermaphrodite. American politics apparently was never for the faint of heart.

This well written and researched book about Jefferson's oldest daughter, Martha (Pansy) Jefferson. Her mother died when she was young in childbirth so Martha was by Jefferson's side throughout his career. She was with him when the British chased him out of his home. when he was in Paris during the beginning of their revolution, and served as his hostess while he was president. She gives us an unique perspective of our early days. I found the parts about Lafayette especially poignant.

Two themes run this book. One is the deplorable state women were in. They often died in childbirth, belonged to their husbands and put up with all types of abuse. The other was slavery. Although intellectually against slavery, there was a strong practical reason to keep it, money. What to do?
Jefferson wrote those famous words, all men are considered equal but not women or slaves. He was on the horns of a dilemma because he was a slave owner, had a slave wife and children and depended on the income from the practice. He wrote in a letter on the subject, "Justice is on one scale, and self-preservation in the other."

Martha had 11 children (tired just writing that) and raised her husband's sisters. She was often torn between her duties to her husband and to her father. Heaven know when she had time to be a mother. She wielded a lot of power but in a back door way. She rarely was asked for her opinion.
And she ended up mostly penniless. Jefferson's penchant for hospitality did her in.

This is an interesting book and I really learned a lot. One of the characters really shines for me, Dolley Madison. I'd like to read a good book about her. Still this was fascinating and well worth the time to read the almost 600 pages. ...more

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Mar 13, 2016 Pamela rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, family, romance, politics, virginia, controversial-topics, marital-relationships, slavery, sagas, sociological, top-picks-read-in-2016, fathers-and-daughters

Historical fiction par excellence!

I'm delightedly surprised - ecstatic, really - as I thoroughly enjoyed this "Jeffersonian Family Saga" from the very first few lines:

"Sons of a revolution fight for liberty. They give blood, flesh, limbs, their very lives. But daughters . . . we sacrifice our eternal souls. This I am sure of . . . "

Wonderfully readably and extensively researched; fiction that is built upon facts and/or widely presumed inferences and accepted conclusions, with only a modicum of
Historical fiction par excellence!

I'm delightedly surprised - ecstatic, really - as I thoroughly enjoyed this "Jeffersonian Family Saga" from the very first few lines:

"Sons of a revolution fight for liberty. They give blood, flesh, limbs, their very lives. But daughters . . . we sacrifice our eternal souls. This I am sure of . . . "

Wonderfully readably and extensively researched; fiction that is built upon facts and/or widely presumed inferences and accepted conclusions, with only a modicum of creative liberty taken here and there for enhanced dramatic affect.

HONOR. In Virginia it wasn't merely a matter of masculine pride - it was a matter of survival. Every loan for the farm, every advance of credit for seeds and foodstuffs, every public office and proposal of marriage depended on honor. Men would fight and die for it. And women would lie for it."

America's First Daughter is powerfully enthralling, addictively entertaining, and decidedly eye-opening in regards to Thomas Jefferson and his eldest daughter, Patsy, their private affairs, political parleying, and conflicting ideologies, in addition to the general temperament/mindsets and societal expectations of the times - both in Virginia and Paris. Though deeply rooted and primarily focused upon Jefferson family histories, including Jefferson's enslaved mistress: Sally Hemings, this book also offers up romance, gender issues, a murder trial, duals, spousal rights, and quite a few verifiable political, domestic, and social scandals.

Why was it that women were expected to restrain our every passion for the sake of propriety, but men couldn't do it even for the sake of the women they loved."

Every bit worth the 590 page reading-time investment. I tip my hat to the ladies who dedicated thousands of hours researching and penning this fabulous novel: Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. Round of applause to you both!

FIVE **** Historical Fiction Par Excellence: Readable and Noteworthy, Enlightening and Highly Entertaining ***** STARS ...more

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Aug 14, 2015 UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Gorgeous Cover Reveal!

Blurb: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 devoti ...more

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Aug 29, 2015 Stephanie (Bookfever.♥) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, owned-physical-books, historical-fiction, edelweiss, favorite-authors, tearjerkers, signed-by-author, 2016-publication, cover-love, standalone

I live in Belgium so I've never been really very invested in the part of American history where this book takes place or knew anything about it, but America's First Daughter has totally changed all that. It was the single most brilliant and outstanding historical fiction book that I have ever read. Bravo!

I must admit that I was a bit intimidated by the size of this book at first—It's almost 600 pages. And the start was a bit slow for me but once I got more into the story I barely could stop read ...more

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Sep 17, 2015 Renee Rosen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The forgotten Jefferson, Martha “Patsy” takes center stage in this moving epic about impossible choices and Jefferson’s eldest daughter’s conflicted devotion to her father, her country and herself. America’s First Daughter is historical fiction of the highest quality. The authors’ meticulous research is evident on every page and yet never overpowers their skillful storytelling. This is a novel to savor and yet you’ll find yourself turning pages as quickly as possible because you have to know wha ...more

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Mar 01, 2016 Kate Quinn rated it really liked it

Patsy Jefferson isn't a famous figure in American history, but she should be: everything that we know about her father Thomas Jefferson--and the nation he shaped--came to us through the hands of his daughter, who saw her life's work as shielding his legacy. Her life is chronicled through the years as her father's helpmeet, steadfastly at his side through the revolutionary years in France, the White House years acting as his First Lady, and his old age when the nation he helped found hit its grow ...more

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Aug 15, 2015 Mary rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: all-time-faves, first-reads-giveaways, historical-fiction, mother-daughter-family, history, american-lit, book-club, arc, hardcover-paperback-own, won, 2016-book-challenge

America's First Daughter is one of the best books I've ever read and now holds the title as my favorite book of 2016. Splendid read from start to finish. Historical fiction at it's finest. I REALLY loved this book and I could gush all day and night but then I would waste your time when you should be reading this instead. GO! Visit your library (well, you may have to wait until it's there. Book released in March 2016.) or any bookstore. This is a must-read, especially if you are a fan of historic America's First Daughter is one of the best books I've ever read and now holds the title as my favorite book of 2016. Splendid read from start to finish. Historical fiction at it's finest. I REALLY loved this book and I could gush all day and night but then I would waste your time when you should be reading this instead. GO! Visit your library (well, you may have to wait until it's there. Book released in March 2016.) or any bookstore. This is a must-read, especially if you are a fan of historical fiction.

The story begins at the end of Jefferson's long and distinguished life. Each chapter begins with actual correspondence from/or to Thomas Jefferson. His daughter, Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph, is preparing her father's papers, documents, and personal correspondence for publication. She and her father shared a close, loving relationship. Patsy spent the majority of her life by her father's side, his fierce and loyal supporter, and she will do as she must to protect her father's legacy and reputation. Shortly after Jefferson dies at Monticello, Patsy spends most of her days sifting through the many papers her father has entrusted to her. As she reads and sorts, there are those papers that bring back memories and as Patsy reflects upon each, we are allowed a glimpse of life at Monticello, coming of age in Paris, the Presidency, and Jefferson's twilight years. Patsy must then decide which of her father's documents she wants to share with the public. Reputation is everything and Patsy chooses to burn that which would shed a negative light on Jefferson and her family. Is it here that Sally Hemings is erased from history? Did Thomas Jefferson father Hemings children? What is the truth of the scandal at the Bizarre plantation belonging to the Randolph family? Was Martha an abused and neglected wife? Did Martha rewrite the history of our nation's founding father? Judge for yourselves. Had I been in Martha's position, I would have rid the world of unfavorable glimpses into my father's private life, especially if all eyes were on my family, looking for ways to defame our name and my father's work. What would you do?

Now, for those of you that don't fully comprehend historical fiction and get easily offended when details are not historically accurate, the author(s) took certain liberties here. Please understand that, although based on history, much of the story is fictional and many details are added for drama and entertainment. I feel I must say this because I read so many reviews written by readers that just don't get the concept of historical fiction and end up slamming a book negatively because of inaccuracies. Comments like, "I just can't read anymore. Have to stop now because the dialect used didn't exist in the year of 1789." Or "Can't stomach another moment of this book because the author confused the dates. And that never happened!" WHAT?! You do realize it's called HISTORICAL FICTION, right?! ~sigh~ Anyway, as I mentioned in some of my updates as I was reading this book, Dray and Kamoie did a phenomenal job researching what must have been an endless amount of information. Jefferson was an astute and consummate journaler and it is said that biographers can find notes on every day of Jefferson's adult life. Every. Single. Day.

For those like me, if you're intersted in further knowledge about Jefferson and Martha, more resources can be found at www.AmericasFirstDaughter.com

#BestBookOf2016

**I received an ARC from a Goodreads giveaway sponsored by William Morrow. ...more

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Feb 16, 2016 Jennifer rated it it was ok

This novel is told from the viewpoint of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson. Helpmeet to her father and his almost constant companion, Patsy not only travelled with him to France and witnessed his rise to the Presidency but also kept his secrets close to her chest. This novel utilizes the letters that Thomas Jefferson wrote and received in his life, whilst reminding us that it was Patsy who guarded these letters. Thus it is likely that she passed on an edited history to This novel is told from the viewpoint of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson. Helpmeet to her father and his almost constant companion, Patsy not only travelled with him to France and witnessed his rise to the Presidency but also kept his secrets close to her chest. This novel utilizes the letters that Thomas Jefferson wrote and received in his life, whilst reminding us that it was Patsy who guarded these letters. Thus it is likely that she passed on an edited history to future generations.

Truthfully, I find this book very difficult to review. I hate that I didn’t enjoy this novel as much as others have professed. For me though, the spark just wasn’t there. Patsy Jefferson was an intriguing historical figure, yet I couldn’t relate to her within these pages. She was a two-dimensional figure from long ago that told me her story as an older person looking back over her life. It was bland. Not at all what I would have expected from the glowing reviews I’ve read, plus my knowledge of how great an author Stephanie Dray is. I’m not quite sure how the collaboration worked between the two authors, however when it comes to author collaboration Stephanie Dray knows what she is doing. She was a part of two of the most amazing multiple author novels that I’ve ever read: “A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii” and “A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica’s Rebellion”. In fact, in the latter of these two it was Stephanie Dray who rounded off the novel and made it complete for me. Therefore I can only summarize that it was the extensive research that made this novel so bland for me.

Let me explain. This novel is based upon “thousands of letters and original sources” and therefore the historical research is paramount to the novel. Of course this isn’t a bad thing, history is compelling in itself, however I do feel that when the lines are so tightly set the author runs the risk of also putting their imagination on a tight leash and thus creating a very prosaic novel.

For me personally I read historical fiction for two purposes. One, to learn, and two, to be entertained. If I just wanted to learn I would read the original sources for myself. If it’s something that I am fascinated by then I will read both fact and fiction books about it. First I gather as much knowledge as I can about a subject and then I read a novel that brings it to life for me. I want it to be more than just facts on a page, I want the figures to jump to life and show me who they are. For me, this is what was missing in this novel. The entertainment factor.

Let me give an example. Patsy is enrolled in a convent for educational purposes whilst her father is in France. Evidently something about it appealed to her because she later wished to become a nun . I wanted to know what exactly appealed to her and what life inside the convent was like for her. Was it a harsh environment? What were the sleeping arrangements? What clothes did she have to wear? What did she learn there? I really wanted to know about life inside the convent but all that was mentioned was that her father’s secretary William Short visited her there and that she made one friend that teased her about her feelings for him. I have no clue as to what appealed to Patsy so much that she wished to take her vows. Even if there is no factual evidence as to why, her character was so indistinctive that I was not even able to deduce a reason for myself. This is where the story-telling is supposed to come in. The facts are known, the ingredients are set, now is when the fictional salt and pepper should be sprinkled in to create a more lively and exciting recipe.

Nonetheless, I did learn a lot from this book. If I take a step back and do not look at it as a novel then I can honestly say that I have admiration for the work that these two historians have created. The mix of original sources and deduced conclusions from these original sources lead to quite an interesting read. As a non-fiction book this would have been brilliant. Yet unfortunately I feel that I must judge it as what it has been proclaimed to be: a novel. And as a novel, in my opinion, it is sadly lacking. ...more

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Feb 28, 2016 Cindi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016

Once upon a time, I regularly read biographies and histories. I spent weeks devouring every detail of the historic figures' lives and sharing with Randy anything I thought especially interesting or unknown to him (as a history major he seems to know everything). As much as I enjoyed learning more history and about the interesting people, it's been a few years since I found a work to capture my attention. America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie is written as a novel but uses s Once upon a time, I regularly read biographies and histories. I spent weeks devouring every detail of the historic figures' lives and sharing with Randy anything I thought especially interesting or unknown to him (as a history major he seems to know everything). As much as I enjoyed learning more history and about the interesting people, it's been a few years since I found a work to capture my attention. America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie is written as a novel but uses so much research to tell the story of Thomas Jefferson's daughter Martha Patsy Jefferson Randolph.

I haven't spent so much time reading a single book for years. It took me almost two full weeks to read America's First Daughter yet I enjoyed every minute. Beginning with Patsy's childhood as the Jefferson family prepared to flee their home as the British army closed in, the novel takes the reader through the exciting history surrounding the Revolutionary War; Jefferson's time as ambassador in France; his continued time in politics and his retirement told through the eyes of his beloved and trusted daughter. I loved having the opportunity to visit these historic events through the domestic perspective of a woman and his family.

The novel focuses on Patsy and so it is her personality that shines through so clearly. She is a strong and yet conflicted character dealing with such troubling issues and nothing about her life is in any way boring. With the exception of Patsy's husband, most of the other characters are not as richly developed. Using letters and other research, Dray and Kamoie share family details that enrich the understanding of that period of time. There was often so much turmoil. I read the novel while my husband watched the election debates next to me. Listening to the circus that the election has become this year, I found it interesting to read more about the drama and dirty politics that occurred in the election of 1800. So little has changed. Except that we don't fight duels anymore. Perhaps that's just what this election is missing.

Part of me wished that it had been written as a biography so my brain would know just what was supported by research and what was assumptions filling in the gaps. However, there was value to it being a novel. It allowed the authors to delve into the ideas of Jefferson's personal life--though it could be seen as apologetic, it offered sympathy and understanding to a confusing and horrific issue.

The time I spent reading America's First Daughter was valuable and enjoyable. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book this much. I'm definitely inspired to find another biography soon. ...more

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Mar 16, 2016 Deborah Pickstone rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourite-authors, history-of-all-things, debut, makes-me-think, biographical-novel, political, us-fiction, 5-1-2-and-6-stars, human-nature, french, napoleonic, collaborative, best-reads-of-2016, top-ten-2016

5.5 stars

I think this is Stephanie Dray's best book yet and she is a favourite of mine (her HF, that is). This is really, really good. I take note that she is a joint author with Laura Kamoie, a historian. I have history with authors claiming to be historians but I believe this one! The research is impeccable. I am no expert - almost a beginner in fact - in this period, or in American history at all - but I am pretty expert in looking for detail and authenticity; there's plenty of that in here a ...more

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Nov 24, 2016 Denise rated it really liked it

Stephanie Dray's book America's First Daughter is a book about freedom, slavery, and the lack of women's rights . Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph, the eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson, tells her story from age 10 when her mother dies until after the death of her father. She tells of her years in Paris going to a convent school, her first love, her fears in the French Revolution, her marriage, her choices, her 11 children and of course her father. The reader experiences her anguish, fears, j ...more

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Feb 21, 2016 BAM The Bibliomaniac rated it really liked it

Shelves: american-historical-fiction, library

One. Out of many, one. And so it goes for Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph. Sisters, husband, children, but father. Of course her father is none other but Thomas Jefferson, the man known not only for drafting the Declaration of Independence but also fleeing his state of Virginia during the American Revolution, a complete egomaniac. Although a loving creature, she cares for no one like she does her Papa, never begrudging him all she sacrifices for his good name. These sacrifices lead her to deve ...more

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Oct 15, 2015 S.J.A. Turney rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This review has been a while in coming as I’ve been working out how to tackle it. Firstly let me make clear just how stunning a book it is. Now let me explain a little…

America’s First Daughter is not exactly my general sphere of reading. I tend towards swords, explosions, boobs and fart jokes in my reading. Alright, that’s maybe a simplification, but you get the idea. I like my historical fiction generally action packed and usually ancient or medieval. So the saga of a 18th-19th century family, ...more

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Sep 11, 2015 Dorine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Dorine by: fans of American historical romantic fiction

Shelves: historical, ebooks-kindle, farming, coming-of-age-story, women-s-fiction, unusual-job-for-heroine, fiction-with-romance-elements, family-dynamics, adventure, colonial-america, 1700s, 1800s, science, france, virginia

Rated 4.5 - You'll feel happiness, anger, frustration, joy, sadness and relief for the characters as you follow them through this fascinating, yet often heartrending, time in American history. An amazing piece of fiction based on an enormous amount of historical research, this novel will churn your emotions.

I can't say that this book impressed me in the beginning and I wondered about the hype. I grew to love and respect this piece of historical fiction, but it wasn't always an easy book to read. ...more

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Oct 13, 2015 Meg - A Bookish Affair rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, fiction, 2016

4.5 stars. Before reading "America's First Daughter," I did not know much about Patsy Jefferson other than she often acted as hostess when her father was the President as his wife had tragically died prior to his Presidency. As this book shows, she was a wholly interesting person by herself. This book covers from when she was very young until she had a family with grown children of her own. It has been such a treat to see more histfic set in America on the market and with great books like this, ...more

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Aug 15, 2015 Christina (Confessions of a Book Addict) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, for-review, adult-historical-fiction

Patsy Jefferson, the eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson, is the focus of this lengthy familial saga. At a young age, her mother dies and this leaves her father in a state of despair. Patsy, being the oldest child, takes over many responsibilities with the main focus being on hiding the fact her father is severely depressed over her mother's untimely death. She is left to pick up the pieces and slowly, her father returns to his former self. Jefferson becomes an envoy in Paris and Patsy, his "rig ...more

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Feb 08, 2016 Martina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: owned, for-review

AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie is BY FAR one of the best books I have read in a long time and giving it only five stars seems like a travesty. We are given a unique perspective of America’s early years through the eyes of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha (Patsy) Jefferson and also through some of the many letters written by Jefferson himself. Although this book is long, it was such a page turner I could scarcely put it down and devoured it in no time. It’s ...more

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Jun 09, 2016 Mark Noce rated it it was amazing

America’s First Daughter is a novel worthy of Jefferson, his daughter, and their family. I’ve visited Monticello multiple times and have read books on Jefferson for decades, but even I was delightfully surprised by the new facts I learned while reading about his life from the perspective of his eldest daughter. Patsy is a strong female character in a world of dominating men who holds her own and adds her own two cents to the American and French Revolutions that take place around her. The book’s ...more

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Feb 24, 2016 Otterpuss rated it liked it

3.5 stars

I used to read a lot of historical novels and fiction but only ever British ones and mainly with the British monarchy as the subject. Over time I drifted away from this genre but when I was offered the opportunity to receive an ARC of this book I jumped at the chance.

I'm English so my knowledge of American history is seriously patchy at best...I was a bit worried this would affect my enjoyment of the book, I needn't have worried though. Regardless of the fact that I had no prior knowl ...more

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Jul 09, 2016 Linda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, 2016

Based on thousands of letters and original sources this book is a great collaboration between Stephanie Drayand and Laura Kamoie. Beginning in 1799 and ending in 1830 the story is told in the voice of Martha Jefferson Randolph "Patsy." It was a very interesting read with a good balance of history and fiction that kept me turning the pages. Bravo for a delightful way to learn history and more about the life of one of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson and his family.

I look forward to more fr ...more

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Dec 26, 2016 Christina rated it it was amazing

This book was unexpectedly yet absolutely amazing. I loved reading it! It took a little bit to get in to, but once I did, I was I hooked. It was informative and the narrative kept me turning the pages. I'm going to miss reading it.

I was surprised to find the parts of the story that I found most incredible were, in fact, true. Again proving the old statement - truth is stranger than fiction.

Highly recommend for historical fiction fans.

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Feb 07, 2016 Margaret rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical, book, usa, for-review, 2016, best-of-2016

"Everyone will look to you for a model of what a virtuous daughter, wife and mother of the republic should be."

I have a great respect for authors of historical fiction. When they take a real figure from the past and portray that individual as accurately as possible, that is no small feat. There is so much research to bring the past to life and satisfy readers. Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie actually read through over 18,000 letters penned by Jefferson himself. With that kind of meticulous dedic ...more

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Mar 20, 2016 Donna rated it really liked it

Great book! Lots to think about so my thoughts will be coming ....

I love that this book, while considered 'historical fiction', is so strongly based on the *18,000* letters that are part of the legacy of Thomas Jefferson. He is such a contradictory man who wrote 'all men are created equal' yet was a slave owner and had a slave as his mistress & mother to some of his children.

What this book fantastically portrayed was the depth of connection and dependence of Jefferson on his oldest daughter ...more

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Aug 14, 2015 Mystica rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was one of those unput downable books! I was annoyed that other work got in the way of reading this one.

Martha is the eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson. She takes over the household on the death of her mother, and literally is the First Lady from then on. The influence of her father on her life is immense and Jefferson comes across as being selfish and self serving when he controls Martha's life to the exclusion of everything else. Of course it was at a time, when daughters obeyed parents ...more

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Mar 30, 2016 Mirella rated it it was amazing

I cannot stop raving about this book. Not only is it well-researched, it is filled with conflict, scandal, and secrets. As slave ownership was swiftly falling out of favor, Thomas Jefferson and his daughter Patsy did everything they could to keep their family darkest scandals secret! Troubles always haunted this family, making this a terrific page turner. Coupled with gorgeously beautiful prose, I must say that this is one of the best books I have ever read! It is nothing short of brilliant! Get ...more

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About Stephanie Dray

STEPHANIE DRAY is an award-winning, bestselling and two-time RITA award nominated author of historical women’s fiction. Her critically acclaimed series about Cleopatra’s daughter has been translated into more than six different languages and won the Golden Leaf. Her focus on Ptolemaic Egypt and Augustan Age Rome has given her a unique perspective on the consequences of Egypt’s ancient clash with R ...more

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Lily of the Nile (Cleopatra's Daughter, #1)

Song of the Nile (Cleopatra's Daughter, #2)

Daughters of the Nile (Cleopatra's Daughter, # 3)

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“I’ll tell you a secret about being happy, Tom. Sometimes you just have to pretend at it until it becomes real.” — 5 likes

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