The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family

Questions About The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family

by Annette Gordon-Reed

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I'm looking for a good book about Sally Hemmings, but I don't want to read anything that romanticizes her association with Thomas Jefferson. Does this book try to downgrade his predatory behavior towards her?
Amy I definitely do not think this book tries to downgrade Jefferson's predatory behavior towards Hemmings. The author explores nearly every possible face…moreI definitely do not think this book tries to downgrade Jefferson's predatory behavior towards Hemmings. The author explores nearly every possible facet that may have been associated with it: rape, ephebophilia, what the primary motivators may have been for each individual, how societal norms of the times would have affected both of them, and repeatedly reminds the reader of Sally Hemmings's age at the time their "relationship" commenced.(less)
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