My Name Is James Madison Hemings

ISBN: 0385383428

Author: Winter, Jonah

Condition: New

A New York Times Notable BookA powerful historical picture book about the child of founding father Thomas Jefferson and the enslaved Sally Hemings.In an evocative first-person account accompanied by exquisite artwork, Winter and Widener tell the story of James Madison Hemingss childhood at Monticello, and, in doing so, illuminate the many contradictions in Jeffersons life and legacy. Though Jefferson lived in a mansion, Hemings and his siblings lived in a single room. While Jefferson doted on his white grandchildren, he never showed affection to his enslaved children. Though he kept the Hemings boys from hard field labor-instead sending them to work in the carpentry shop-Jefferson nevertheless listed the children in his Farm Book along with the sheep, hogs, and other property. Here is a profound and moving account of one familys history, which is also Americas history.An author's note includes more information about Hemings, Jefferson, and the author's research."This gentle, emotional book is a reminder that many presidents biographies have distressing aspects. . . . A simple but historically solid introduction to some of the moral crises slavery presented for our nation." --The New York Times"Through a poignant first-person monologue, Winter imagines the peculiar upbring- ing of Virginia slave James Madison Hemings, son of Thomas Jefferson and his enslaved mistress, Sally Hemings.-Bulletin, starred review