The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed

Finalist for the National Book Award, this epic work tells the story of the Hemingses, whose close blood ties to our third president had been systematically expunged from American history until very recently. Now, historian and legal scholar Annette Gordon-Reed traces the Hemings family from its origins in Virginia in the 1700s to the family's dispersal after Jefferson's death in 1826. It brings to life not only Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson but also their children and Hemings's siblings, who shared a father with Jefferson's wife, Martha. The Hemingses of Monticello sets the family's compelling saga against the backdrop of Revolutionary America, Paris on the eve of its own revolution, 1790s Philadelphia, and plantation life at Monticello. Much anticipated, this book promises to be the most important history of an American slave family ever written.

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[crusades0917]

This Historian presents supposition as fact. She therefore has very little credibility.

[capted3126]

@lunargoddess2002 ...you got some real issues kid....instead of facing the reality of the time, you have infused emotional trappings, which is remarkably an in dication of self-loathing,which you dont have the stamina to face,so you project your hate on issues you clearly dont understand......have a nice blog.

[vivecarocks]

She sounds like Oprah when she speaks...haha.

[capted3126]

I agree with al the factual aspects you came to regarding France and the huge impact it made.Unfortunately,commerce in the south depended largely on slavery,and it was more money than compassion or common sense that drove them, not to mention still others who,in this country's infancy,were still very against another imperialistic govt coming in the form of states rights issues.Unity,independance,was forced to trump slavery issues at the period u refer to.

[lunargoddess2002]

@capted

Oh Jefferson did not struggle with this. It seems to me that you are selectively reading his texts. There are several paradoxes. He was for revolution and liberty until Haiti has revolution. Then he embarks on one of the largest embargo that cripples the country until the modern day along with France. Also, he talks about abhoring slavery in Notes on the state of Virgina but still holds slaves.He talks about the liberty of man but dehumanizes enslaved Africans Franklin was a better man.

[lunargoddess2002]

@capted3126 Even a that time there was a large anti slavery movement. Even Jefferson was asked about this from his Enlightenment contemporaries in Paris. You had William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson and many others who were against slavery and knew it was contemptable. If you even look at the First Republic in France, you'll see that slavery was then abolished in the Outre Mer territories and departments. With the Enlightenment you got more enlightened thinking regarding this.

[capted3126]

@lunargoddess2002 ;additionally,the war of 1812 ,the british conceded independance to the colonies;the issue of slavery ,and the now soveriegn country called The United States,had 50 years of southern slavery,before we hada civil war. Jefferson,like so many of the founders,knew they must first form united colonies first...or there would be no freedom for any man,black or white.He struggled with this,a price on his neck,and his writings reflect the eventual abolishment.

[capted3126]

@lunargoddess2002 ..well,lunar,this is a paradox for many people because they think in contemporary terms.......remember,slavery through consignment and many other forms were a practice that has plagued humanity since the DIASPORA,orMoses. you must revisit history ,not to exonerate,but to understand that the 1700's were a turning point for civilizations all over the world.We dont need to cast blame,or create'paradox's'.Slaves were sent by tribal leaders; commodity of trade,this is true.

[lunargoddess2002]

@capted3126 I know she resembled his wife. However, she was still his property. She was chattel. Even though she had a better life than most slaves at Monticello, she was still a slave. That is the paradox for me. He believe in liberty for some at not for others. He believed in revolution for some but not for others. That is where the paradox lies for me.

[capted3126]

@lunargoddess2002 ...Sally Hemings resembled her half-sister Martha Jefferson {Randolph],which,for that period,and the enigma that was TJ,should be taken into consideration.