A very good book about a little known incident in American history involving one of our greatest founding fathers.

https://youtu.be/TGWQOb-aY4U

The author presented and deconstructed the current arguments for and against the Jefferson-Hemings controversy (this was written in 1997 before the DNA testing). She questions source's motives and pointed out their bias. For instance, why do we automaically dismiss Madison Hemings' statement as untrue but do not investigate other sources who have agendas or prejudices? A very thoughtful investigation.

An excellent lesson to scholars on how to apply meticulous academic rigor to an accretion of the evidence. Somewhat metatextual commentary, this is a history of how American culture has reacted to the idea that Jefferson had a lengthy relationship with Hemings and fathered her children. Gordon-Reed gives thoughtful commentary in the wake of lots of freaked-out accusatory handwaving and political points-scoring, while underscoring the emotional repercussions of history's handling of the question to people learning about it for the first time or hearing it discussed. I kinda want to go read a bunch more background info about Jefferson's life and then read this again -- the author is deeply versed in her subject and it can be a bit of a challenge to keep up if you're not familiar with the sources she cites. Still, work worth doing.

What to say, the first such expose' in modern times about this affair.

Written prior to the dna testing of the current family members this is an indepth look at one of our founding fathers. With today's social media this great and controversial man's career would have been nipped in the bud. Without bias the author wrote of the intertwining relationships of the Jefferson family. I was expecting a biography but found a thesis.

*long slow clap*

As stated in the preface, the author's goal is clearly to "present and analyze...the evidence that exists to support the story" (of a Jefferson-Hemings liaison). The author's other agenda, as stated in the conclusion, was also clear: " Blacks of today can reward those who suffered and endured for our benefit only through our present and future acts." "It means that we should let no negative charge, no offensive theory or supposition, no unsubstantiated claim about the nature of those who were forced to 'labor' for the 'happiness' of others, go unchallenged."

The argument supporting the Jefferson-Hemings relationship was well covered, with many historical quotes and references. Appendix A (Key to Important Names) and The Genealogical Tables were very helpful as we are introduced to many characters.

Some of the arguments seemed inflammatory and excessively defensive. Ex: speaking of Sally Hemings as "one of the most vilified women in American history"; referring to Jefferson's thoughts of slavery ending: "the real horror of horrors that T.J. saw..." This felt like the overriding tone of the book and put me on edge. Still, I am glad to have read more information on the topic and will likely seek out counter arguments to form a balanced picture.

Fabulous quote:
“The all too widespread practice of cannibalizing one’s family members for public consumption is largely a late twentieth-century sport.”

I started reading this book after I finished The Hemingses of Monticello, thinking I might learn even more about the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and the enslaved Sally Hemings. But in fact, this book was written long before the other one. It is a study of how, up until the time this book was written, most white historians accepted as gospel truth anything Thomas Jefferson's white descendants and other white people said about him and ignored or denigrated anything that his children by Sally Hemings said. A very interesting look at racism among historians that should make all of us question everything we were taught in school. That said, I must confess I read only about half of the book. I got the gist and then couldn't plow through any more of the author's prose.

Very thorough review of evidence, bias, and more. Highly recommend.

This book was a solid medium. This author was clearly not a historian, you can see her legal background in her writing style. She did present material and make a case for her perception, but the majority of the book was spent doing a critical analysis of what historians had said about Jefferson & Hemings. No original research here, mostly analysis of previous research. It had wonderful appendices and primary sources. She was rather repetitive and I would have organized the material more clearly to reduce the repetition. This book could have been much shorter with better editing and organization. She used the "human being" argument so frequently it lost its impact. Overall I did like this book, and feel more informed after reading it.

I am a big fan of this book. It's certainly not your typical piece of historical writing--you can hear the lawyer coming through--but I wish more people took the care that she did to weigh the value of the evidence. Exquisitely reasoned.