America's First Daughter Audiobook By Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie cover art

America's First Daughter

A Novel

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America's First Daughter

By: Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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About this listen

In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, best-selling 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 15-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.

©2016 Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers
Biographical Fiction Fiction France Tearjerking

What listeners say about America's First Daughter

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Engaging Narrative Meticulous Historical Research Intimate Family Saga Emotional Resonance Captivating Voice
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Great Read of politics and love

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook to all of my friends., it was very well written, stayed very close to the truth as evidence of the letters that Martha/Thomas Jefferson wrote and the audio was superb

What other book might you compare America's First Daughter to and why?

I do not have another book which I have read that compares to this error or time. I have read Charles Dickens and it is very close to the same type of rendereing

What does Cassandra Campbell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

the audio in this transition was magnificent., the accents of the author I could not do as well

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was deeply moved when Martha decides to forgive her husband one more time due to her thinking that it was her fault he had lost his way

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Fantastic! Entertaining!

Would you listen to America's First Daughter again? Why?

I love the liberty they took in telling the story and the realism that came through. Patsy Jefferson became real to me. I was wide eyed through much of the story and the progressive thinking that came about slavery but the social inability to shift it within their time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sally Hemings became so much more than a slave. I saw so much more acceptance, so much more of Sally as a woman and mother - and not a slave. She was the sister of Jefferson's first wife and it seems to me that she would be more like her sister than not, or at least more like Patsy. Smart, well spoken....able.

What does Cassandra Campbell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It's not just facts - although the most outrageous parts of the story seem to be based on fact. She makes the story flow so intoxicatingly.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

This story will draw you in and intoxicate you, seeing the Jefferson's and life at Monticello like never before...

Any additional comments?

Well done!

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Review of America’s First Daughter

I found this book about Thomas Jefferson’s daughter a compelling read. It was extremely well written and brought to life the very real struggles of this first of America’s daughters family. Instead of being a compilation of accomplishments, this book revealed their very real humanity and everyday struggles. I recommend this book for all who want more than a cursory understanding of this Presidents daughters life..

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Captivating and informative

This wonderful book had me looking into our nations history with a new drive I haven’t had since I was a child. It is wonderfully gripping and will have the reader not wanting to stop the book. One of the best books I have listened to in a while.

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Totally delightful

I loved this book. History and a strong female lead. Some of this history is hard to take but it’s based on the realities of slavery and the oppression of women. Provided insights into the lives of one of our founding fathers and the women behind him.

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Excellent

This was one of the best books I have ever read. Could not stop listening.

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Slow beginning, but becomes amazing!

This book took me 3 times to get into, but I am so glad I stuck with it! What an incredible story of history unknown to many.

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Fascinating fictionalization of America's iconic family.

After I turned the narration speed to 1.5, I was able to enjoy listening much more. I almost gave up at the first. I believe the protagonist was depicted in a personality true to her time. The authors have written an engaging, historically based novel which not only expands one's consideration of the Jefferson's profound place in history, but what their lives looked like on a more personal level during that slave-supported agrarian time. I do plan on researching a few details, and feel that is a good outcome of such reading.

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Great listen!!

So nice to get history and an incredible listen! All over learning in such an entertaining way!

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Amazing story of the President's daughter.

America's First Daughter is well narrated. The story keeps your interest the entire time. Well done.

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