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Thomas Jefferson, Rachel & Me

by Peter Boody (Goodreads Author)

3.91 of 5 stars 3.91 · rating details · 55 ratings · 29 reviews

What if Thomas Jefferson returned to life, penniless, powerless, and without a single slave? What if he meets a beautiful mixed-race woman he takes to be Sally Hemings reborn?

“Thomas Jefferson, Rachel & Me” is a tale told by retired history teacher, Jack Arrowsmith, a man numbed by the deaths of his wife and son. It's about his — and his late son's girlfriend, Rachel...more

Kindle Edition, 323 pages

Published February 10th 2012 by Bartleby, Scrivener & Co. (first published October 1st 2010)

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Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings by Annette Gordon-Reed

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Feb 04, 2011 Stephanie Battaglia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book. The concept I found was interesting. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen at the end. I also learned things about TJ & the politics of the day that I didn't know. I recommend it highly.

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 31, 2012 Nancy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, first-reads

I am a Goodreads First Reads winner. The Idea of this story really appealed to me. I entered the drawing and then went over to amazon to the take a look inside this book. I loved the preview I read. I was so happy I won a copy. I eagerly waited for my copy in the mail. I was surprised to find that Peter Boody personalized a autograph to me, thank you for that. What a story! I am still reading and absolutely love the story so far. I can't wait to read on and will update what I think of the story...more

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Jun 17, 2012 M. Flowers rated it 5 of 5 stars

Although an avid reader, I have never before felt moved to post a book review. But this book is different. I want to keep thinking and talking about it, maybe to prolong my time with the story and its characters.

The book moves quickly, but the characters have stayed with me. Boody skillfully brings the three main characters to life, endowing each with an intriguing past that is still haunting his or her present. Even Thomas Jefferson, who first emerges in a beautifully and eerily rendered twili...more

1 like · like · see review

May 09, 2012 Joan Szechtman rated it 3 of 5 stars

Thomas Jefferson, Rachel & Me
Peter Boody
330 pages

Jack Arrowsmith, the me in the book’s title, and Rachel Carter, Jack’s dead son’s girlfriend, meet the ghost of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. When Jack and Rachel engage Jefferson, he becomes a solid, breathing man who convinces them to take him away from Monticello. Thus ensues a sometimes-delightful tale of past and present that intertwines Jack’s grief over the loss of his wife from illness and his son from an automobile accident with Jef...more Thomas Jefferson, Rachel & Me
Peter Boody
330 pages

Jack Arrowsmith, the me in the book’s title, and Rachel Carter, Jack’s dead son’s girlfriend, meet the ghost of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. When Jack and Rachel engage Jefferson, he becomes a solid, breathing man who convinces them to take him away from Monticello. Thus ensues a sometimes-delightful tale of past and present that intertwines Jack’s grief over the loss of his wife from illness and his son from an automobile accident with Jefferson as the author of the Declaration of Independence and relationship to the Hemings family and slaves in general.

“Don't say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream.”—Mark Twain

By implication, the novel’s title suggested the most important character would be Jefferson, then Rachel, and lastly, Jack. However, I read more about Jack and his coping with loss than about Jefferson. Rachel, who should have been an important character, was little more than a cipher—her presence for me was more like a _deus ex machina_ enabling the Hemings discussion rather than a fully fleshed character. I don’t know if the reason for this was because the story was told from Jack’s point of view in first person, but for long stretches of the book, we are told about Jefferson’s activity after the fact. As a result, I thought the book was about the narrator instead of Jefferson. I never got close to Jefferson and didn’t witness him adapting to his new situation or grow as a person. Towards the end, it was hard to suspend the disbelief that I had willing done at the start. In addition, the book seemed to be a venue for Boody to express his political views. I found some scenes to be particularly ham-handed.

Despite the drawbacks this book has as a novel for me, I found it worth reading for the historical aspects regarding slavery and Jefferson’s relationship with the Hemings family.

Notes: I did come across some typos and the occasional clunky sentence. They were few and not sufficient to harm the reading experience. I read the Nook edition.(less)

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Mar 12, 2013 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ghosts, time-travel, history, 2013-books-read

How exactly would Thomas Jefferson react to finding himself suddenly living in the 2010s? Would he embrace modern technology and today's social changes, or would he be a complete fish out of water? The exploration of this theme definitely makes for an enjoyable book. It is intelligent and has more history thrown in than the average time travel book. Actually, this seems to be one part time travel book, one part history book, and one part ghost story. At first, I wasn't sure it could be categoriz...more How exactly would Thomas Jefferson react to finding himself suddenly living in the 2010s? Would he embrace modern technology and today's social changes, or would he be a complete fish out of water? The exploration of this theme definitely makes for an enjoyable book. It is intelligent and has more history thrown in than the average time travel book. Actually, this seems to be one part time travel book, one part history book, and one part ghost story. At first, I wasn't sure it could be categorized as a time travel book, but Thomas Jefferson's ghost takes on corporeal form and actually lives and breathes in a time not his own. So it technically counts as time travel.

Lest you think that the book be a little too serious for your tastes, I'll present you with a few choice quotes:

"I saw Thomas Jefferson naked."

"The bill came to more than $1,400. I consoled myself that it was a bargain for a meal with Thomas Jefferson."

"You should be Gooogling, Mr. Carter, "Jefferson said. "I Google, but with a healthy skepticism."

And, gosh, those quotes pretty much sum up Thomas Jefferson's personality in the 2010s: an information-thirsty,lusty man with an appreciation and need for fine things and the need for a much deeper purse than that which an unemployed ex-president with no identification actually has.

Of course, I'm sure you're curious as to what Mr. Jefferson has on his iPod, aren't you? Luckily for you, there's a playlist for that.

Trying to place Jefferson in the modern world and imagine his reaction to those things around him is certainly no easy task. I found myself wondering what his main issues would be and whether or not he would fit more into conservative or liberal politics of our day. While he was extremely liberal for his time, the author suggests that he'd have difficulty adjusting to the social liberalism of today, especially the rights of non-whites in America. According to today's standards, he's depicted as having difficulty being "politically correct" when it comes to discussing race. I could see that being true for anyone brought forward into our world from his. But I would want to imagine that he would be more quickly open minded than the average citizen time traveler from his world. And I could see that, as the author suggests, it may be a stretch for him to be able to immediately imagine that the inalienable rights of men pursuing happiness and liberty should also include their sexual rights.

It's interesting, though, that the more that you delve into the personal lives of some of our famous founding fathers, the more you realize that you'd only really rather meet them in theory rather than in actual practice. Some of the things that you love about them would probably be the very things that you would grow weary of in real life. (Benjamin Franklin, I'm looking at you, too.)

Anyhow, this is a fun novel to read and definitely worth the time ... despite its lack of Oxford Comma in the title. ;) Give it a read and then take yourself out for French food (hopefully without a dead president running your bill up to $1400).(less)

7 likes · like · see review

Jun 06, 2013 Courtney rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

I won this book from Goodreads First Reads giveaway a year ago and finally got around to reading it.

I was intrigued by the premise for the book--a bit of "wibbly wobbly timey wimey" usually makes for a some fun--and I was excited to learn more about Thomas Jefferson.

I can't really say how I felt about the book. It was interesting, I learned quite a few things about Mr. TJ, and I never really had the urge to quit reading, but at the same time I never felt invested in the story.
I think the main p...more

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Sep 16, 2012 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, first-reads

I was thrilled to win a SIGNED copy of this compelling and imaginative book! Then I was thrilled as I read the story.
The author quoted Emily Dickinson, saying: "Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality." Thus begins of story of immortal love pursued by a man created by his times.
There was a charming, dreamlike quality to the 1st chapter that engaged my interest and led me, willingly, deeply into the story. Thomas Jefferson was such a contradictory personality. He was great, and br...more I was thrilled to win a SIGNED copy of this compelling and imaginative book! Then I was thrilled as I read the story.
The author quoted Emily Dickinson, saying: "Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality." Thus begins of story of immortal love pursued by a man created by his times.
There was a charming, dreamlike quality to the 1st chapter that engaged my interest and led me, willingly, deeply into the story. Thomas Jefferson was such a contradictory personality. He was great, and brilliant, with strong ideas and promise, yet he was as flawed as any other man. Early on, in the book he commented on his rhuematism, which made me realize how human he was. Does a ghost have rhuematism?
The author made Jefferson seem very real and historic, using remarks and phrasing I can totally imagine belonging in 1776. His thoughts on the current banking system controlling the economy and therefore our lives was so very real. He said that the great threat of the nation to day was the overwhelming power of corporations controlling the government as well as the minds and hearts of the people.
Jefferson was very prejudiced and bigoted, yet could see the irony that a people in bondage helped build this new nation founded on principles of liberty, and equality. So much of this book, as well as Jefferson's life, is centered on the racial questions that this man faced during his lifetime.
He may have never realized the importance of the Declaration of Independence on the lives of so many people.
My favorite quotes and ideas from this book:
"White violence was politics. Black violence inevitable."
When faced with the disintegration of the family unit the country is thrown into chaos.
He argued with Hamilton's ghost about how the country is humiliating itself by selfish living and class distinction.
He said on the subject of music being everywhere these days that it "relegates music to an atmospheric role, like the weather." Music is to be enjoyed for itself.
We live each day with so many conveniences that we don't remember the pain, so history, as we look back on it seems less harsh and painful than it really was. We live in a more frantic and busy manner because there is so much to experience and so little time to experience it.
Jefferson is remembered as a hero of religious freedom and equality of the rights of man.
"One never knows what one is up to in the deepest reaches of one's mind."
On speaking of his imperfections, he said "As for history, I did the best I could."
Jefferson helped write an important and prophetic document and we do remember him as a 'larger than life' individual.
"I like to keep old things going. It gives me hope for myself."
And in the end, hope is what I felt, for life, and our country, hope that seems to be lacking in today's world, yet compared to what our country has endured, truly is a part of our lives.
This story may be a fantasy, or fairy tale, but it does give me hope and helps me remember that "the spirit of freedom will not be vanquished".
"Onward, to the Pacific!"(less)

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Sep 03, 2012 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a fantastic summer read. Retired history teacher Jack Arrowsmith and his late son's girlfriend Rachel find themselves at Monticello one day, where they meet the ghost of Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Jefferson then hangs out with Rachel and Jack for the next year.

I have to admit, I'm really very fond of the whole time travel premise. This had the elements of time travel, with a good dose of humor thrown in. I learned more about Thomas Jefferson in this book than I had at any other time in my pa...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 16, 2012 Cheryl in CC NV rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was hoping for something fresh, original, and thought-provoking. I got that and more - this book was also enlightening, moving, and at times laugh-out-loud funny.

Everybody felt real; I want to believe there really is a man as kind and honorable as Jack, and I want to believe every bit of history TJ revealed to us. Rachel was a bit harder to understand, but once I slowed down to think about what she was going through and why she was acting, and reacting, the way she did, it all made more sense....more

4 likes · like · see review

Sep 22, 2012 Lori rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was a Good reads first reads winner of this book. I even got an autograph by the author Peter Boody.I enjoyed reading this "what If?" book. it is interesting to imagine the what if a real life person comes back in a Fiction setting? It helps to be willing to "go with it" and I did. the main character jack Arrowsmith is a big fan of Thomas Jefferson. on a tour of Thomas Jefferson's estate. Mr Jefferson appears as a ghost to him. then disappears. jack brings Rachel a young woman who is biologica...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Rick rated it 3 of 5 stars

Very interesting premise: have Thomas Jefferson come back to life in 2011 and have him spend a year acclimating himself to modern dy America. He makes two good friends along the way; Jack the narrator and Rachel, Jack's dead son's girlfriend. On paper, this should have been a VERY good book. In reality, I was left a bit underwhelmed. The story didn't really go anywhere. Yes, there were a few twists and turns here and there, but for what this could have been I just felt disappointed. The ending a...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 25, 2013 Peter Boody rated it 5 of 5 stars · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Authors pray for a Tweet like this!

"Can't sleep! TJ, Rachel & Me has taken over my body & mind like no book before. Will it be a movie? Thanks for this work." — Roma Prindle, July 17, 2012.

Thank you, Roma, whoever you are.

Some novels are more than the sum of their parts.

“Thomas Jefferson, Rachel & Me is a fun read that nevertheless strikes a deeper chord for many readers, those who enjoy its light yet ultimately haunting mood; its flawed yet likable characters, especially the quirk...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have to admit that I was skeptical of the premise of this book at first. But Boody was once my boss and is now my friend so I felt an obligation to give it a try. I am really glad I did. It was a fascinating read and the premise, somehow, remarkably plausible. No doubt, it is bold of Boody to imagine how Jefferson would react to the state of the modern United States. Boody manages to do it, at times with humor and others with poignancy.

Unique and interesting. Definitely worth reading.

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May 06, 2012 Paul rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, thomas-jefferson, time-travel, colonial-williamsburg, monticello

Of all the Founders, I guess we can't be too surprised that it's Thomas Jefferson who loves to Google on his Mac computer. Jefferson arrives as an apparition, but soon dons flesh and bones and moves right into the 21st century. He's amazed yet undaunted with today's technology, but remains a man of his own time, which presents its own problems for his agreeable hosts and himself.

Peter Boody's fine novel is a rare treat. It includes humor and some zany adventures, but also serious issues of TJ's...more

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Mar 12, 2013 Chantelle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I gave it four stars because I appreciated the history. I liked this book - I didn't love it but I'm not sure WHY I didn't love it. The characters were likable, the plot was interesting, it's historical fiction, which is my favorite. I loved learning more about Thomas Jefferson.

However, I didn't have that craving to pick the book up and read it every chance I got. I also didn't put it aside and not finish it. It was good enough for me to keep reading and finish, but I wasn't obsessed with readi...more

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Feb 22, 2012 Scott rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book! As a Jefferson buff, I was fascinated by the idea of the man walking in the modern world. I felt Boody did a good job of capturing how Jefferson might react, adapt and view our times. He also did not pretend that Jefferson's prejudices would magically fall away with ease. I breezed right through the pages and thought the tale ended in a wonderful way.

Now I cannot wait to re-visit Monticello!

3 likes · like · see review

Jun 12, 2012 Becky rated it 3 of 5 stars

I still can't decide if I liked this book or not. I didn't think it was especially well written, yet the premise was good and the story was intriguing enough to keep me reading to find out what happened. I definitely think the readers were robbed by not knowing what went on with Rachel and Jefferson during their time alone together in NY. It would also have been nice to know the whole truth about Jamie instead of having it revealed only to Jefferson.

1 like · like · see review

Mar 06, 2012 Natalie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I loved the premise of the book...loved the idea of the ghost of Jefferson returning to modern day times. I found the main characters interesting but the book overall choppy and ultimately unimpressed with the ending. I was hoping for more meat out of the story, I guess.

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Apr 02, 2013 Marilyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

A very good book. It would be interesting to have a historical figure around for a short time. To hear the speech, listen to how things were done and to see how they react to how things have changed would just be euphoric. I would love it. An enjoyable read.

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Oct 01, 2012 Mary Seely rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is an unusual story. I enjoyed it and appreciated the logical ending. Now I have a lot of questions about Thomas Jefferson's life and beliefs. Another free download from Amazon. Yes, I do read a book about every three days unless I'm working.

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Sep 21, 2012 Tara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads-won

Not my normal genre to read but was pleasantly surprised. Past meets the present. Not only did I find it enjoyable to read I found myself learning fun history facts that I did not know and/or remember. My husband is the history buff and has visited Monticello but I have now decided that maybe I should take a visit there as well. Makes you wonder what our founding fathers really think of the world today.

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Mar 14, 2012 Linda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Thomas Jefferson is back and experiencing life in our time. I usually avoid "ghost" stories, but this is an interesting and entertaining look at the changes in our country since revolutionary times. A whimsical tale.

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Oct 24, 2012 Autaum rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm not sure that I loved this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading my Goodreads giveaway win. It felt as if I was reading a really interesting take on a history text book, from an era I am quite interested about. This is definitely a novel I would recommend to anyone interested in American history or just looking for a good read!

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Oct 24, 2012 Lynn Demsky rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A most enjoyable, entertaining read! I really enjoyed the author’s sense of humor, the plot and getting to know Jefferson as a person! Good read!

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Feb 05, 2012 Kathleen Rota rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engaged while on the treadmill (my litmus test). Wasn't crazy about the ending, but I would def recommend, especially if you like a little history!

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Jan 14, 2013 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, 2012

I won this book as a giveaway from GoodReads.

I was intrigued and skeptical about this book. Thomas Jefferson comes back to life and hangs out in today's world. Really? But I had hoped that based on the description and the early reviews that Boody may have gotten it right.

He did.

I make it a point not to write spoilers into my reviews. It was fun to read the imaginative ways that Boody put Thomas Jefferson into contemporary situations and how his friends help him to get out of trouble. He brings a...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really loved this book and didn't want it to end!

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Oct 30, 2012 Stacy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I won this book as a FirstRead.

Thomas Jefferson, Rachel, and Me is a fast paced book that follows Jack Arrowsmith and his late son's girlfriend, Rachel Carter, as they meet Thomas Jefferson, and despite their fear, introduce him to modern day America.

The premise of this book was very interesting and kept me hooked as I read it. The mishaps Jefferson got himself into at times made me cringe and made me laugh. The end of the book was not at all what I expected, but it was definitely a fitting endi...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Bdpatten rated it 3 of 5 stars

fun read!

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Sep 06, 2012 Nan marked it as to-read

I just won this free book on Goodreads Giveaways. Thank you!

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The ghost of Jefferson comes back to life in the modern world	1	11	Oct 22, 2010 06:11am

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