Review of 'America's First Daughter'

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If you enjoy reading biographies, I highly recommend "America's First Daughter." My book club read it a few months ago and, after I read it, my husband did, as well. Everyone I know enjoyed the book immensely. If you have enjoyed the musical "Hamilton," or plan to go see it, you may also want to read "America's First Daughter." It covers the same period of time and includes her comments about some of the founding fathers of the United States. It is a great addition to "Hamilton." The book is based on extensive research, including the thousands of documents which were left behind by Thomas Jefferson, newspaper reports from the time, and the papers of other founding fathers. Despite the detailed research and accuracy, the book reads like a novel. It covers many controversial but well-documented events including Jefferson's long-term affair with a married woman while he was Ambassador to France, and his affair with Sally Hemings, his slave and half-sister of his deceased wife. It also covers the scandalous trial of Patsy Jefferson's teenage sister-in-law, Nancy, who was accused of getting pregnant by her sister's husband, having an abortion and secretly burying the child. Patsy Jefferson was called on to testify at the trial and defended Nancy vigorously. The entire trial was covered in detail by newspapers. The book also contains many more interesting scandals and events which marked the life of Thomas Jefferson and his daughter, Patsy, who was considered the most educated woman in America during her lifetime. If you want a fascinating glimpse into life at the time of the American Revolution and the decades immediately afterwards, this book may interest you.