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The Women Jefferson Loved

Throughout his life, Thomas Jefferson constructed a seemingly impenetrable wall between his public legacy and his private life, a tradition upheld by his family and his white male biographers. Now, Virginia Scharff breaks down the barrier between these two spheres to offer an intriguing new portrait of this complicated and influential figure, seen through the lives of the most important people in his life: the women he loved.

Praise for The Women Jefferson Loved:

"This book is a tour de force; a must read for all who are interested in early America, Jefferson, and Monticello."
—Annette Gordon-Reed, author of The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family

"A focused, fresh spin on Jeffersonian biography."
—Kirkus Reviews

"A smart, eye-opening, vividly written saga of Monticello. It's an indispensable portrait of Thomas Jefferson like none other."
—Douglas Brinkley, Professor of History, Rice University, and author of The Wilderness Warrior

"Moving, brilliantly written and deeply sympathetic to everyone concerned, it is a wonder."
—Richard White, Professor of History, Stanford University, and author of The Middle Ground

"Opens a window to the heart and soul of one of our nation's founders."
—Margaret Flanagan, Booklist