The belief that Thomas Jefferson had an affair and fathered a child (or children) with slave Sally Hemings---and that such an allegation was proven by DNA testing―has become so pervasive in American popular culture that it is not only widely accepted but taught to students as historical fact. But as William G. Hyland Jr. demonstrates; this "fact" is nothing more than the accumulation of salacious rumors and irresponsible scholarship over the years; much of it inspired by political grudges; academic opportunism; and the trend of historical revisionism that seeks to drag the reputation of the Founding Fathers through the mud. In this startling and revelatory argument; Hyland shows not only that the evidence against Jefferson is lacking; but that in fact he is entirely innocent of the charge of having sexual relations with Hemings.Historians have the wrong Jefferson. Hyland; an experienced trial lawyer; presents the most reliable historical evidence while dissecting the unreliable; and in doing so he cuts through centuries of unsubstantiated charges. The author reminds us that the DNA tests identified Eston Hemings; Sally's youngest child; as being merely the descendant of a "Jefferson male." Randolph Jefferson; the president's wayward; younger brother with a reputation for socializing among the Monticello slaves; emerges as the most likely of several possible candidates. Meanwhile; the author traces the evolution of this rumor about Thomas Jefferson back to the allegation made by one James Callendar; a "drunken ruffian" who carried a grudge after unsuccessfully lobbying the president for a postmaster appointment---and who then openly bragged of ruining Jefferson's reputation. Hyland also delves into Hemings family oral histories that go against the popular rumor; as well as the ways in which the Jefferson rumors were advanced by less-than-historical dramas and by flawed scholarly research often shaped by political agendas. Reflecting both a layperson's curiosity and a lawyer's precision; Hyland definitively puts to rest the allegation of the thirty-eight-year liaison between Jefferson and Hemings. In doing so; he reclaims the nation's third president from the arena of Hollywood-style myth and melodrama and gives his readers a unique opportunity to serve as jurors on this enduringly fascinating episode in American history.
#19326 in Books Jeff Chang 2005-12-27 2005-12-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.29 x .98 x 5.45l; 1.07 #File Name: 0312425791546 pagesCan t Stop Won t Stop A History of the Hip Hop Generation
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Anthony AgoliaA must-read for hip hop heads who want to learn more about the early days of the genre.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great priceBy RicaBrand new book; it arrived much sooner than I anticipated. Great price.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. lots of primary sources great voiceBy Yoga lifeWhile I don't know much about Chang's authority; he must have some sort of rep or he wouldn't have access to so many of the most important people in hip-hop to give their verbatim accounts of reactions to the events in hip-hop and potential changes it will undergo. His language is lively and he is on point with all of his propositions and observations. I also included this material in my work for Icons of Hip-Hop (Greenwood Press). Great style; and just like Nelson George; he is unafraid; eager even; to explore the ramifications of hip-hop in both its original and commercial forms. A great book; pretty comprehensive; with many useful and interesting details.
