America's First Daughter: A Novel

Stephanie Dray · Laura Kamoie

Mar 2016 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

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.

Ratings and reviews

It was a very slow read. Occasionally there were words used that were much more modern than the setting in time of the story. That being said, I did like the book.

AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER is the best historical novel I have ever read, bar none! Granted at 600 pages, it cannot be read in one sitting, but don’t let it deter you; it is so compelling, you will not skip one line. The authors used countless letters to recreate the life of Martha “Patsy” Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson’s daughter, and through her eyes, we witness the American Revolution, the French Revolution, as well as the life of an admirable woman. It was not easy being the daughter of such a great man, and Patsy had to make many sacrifices, most of the time for her father’s career. It is most commendable that Ms. Dray and Ms. Kamoie managed, with much flair and panache, to make AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER so lively and intimate; it is written in the first person, and it feels like we’re part of Patsy’s life, whether on a plantation or in the salons of Paris. AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER is very well written and everything flows seamlessly. Needless to say, it is extremely well documented, but also richly detailed, and the characters are described so vividly, they come alive on the page. AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER is a remarkable book that will captivate generations to come. I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I did enjoy this glimpse into the life of Thomas Jefferson's oldest daughter and her life and expectations.

About the author

Stephanie Dray is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author of historical women’s fiction. Her award-winning work has been translated into eight languages and tops lists for the most anticipated reads of the year. Before she became a novelist, she was a lawyer and a teacher. Now she lives near the nation’s capital with her husband, cats, and history books.

Laura Kamoie is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. 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 fiction. Laura lives among the colonial charm of Annapolis, Maryland, with her husband and two daughters.