Voices from Marshall Street is the oral history of the people who lived amid the cultural richness of their neighborhood. Those who read their stories will be enriched by the spirit of the residents of Marshall Street.
#1844702 in Books Jefferson Editions 2001-04-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .55 x 6.12 x 9.04l; #File Name: 0934211663208 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Gregory J. TisdaleMUST READ ! !7 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Really?By Scott BoatrightThe most impressive aspect of this book is its wonderfully clear and concise illustration of the lengths to which some will go in order to promote their version of historical events. Those charged with the maintenance of Thomas Jefferson's home; the understanding of his meaning in our national psyche; together with those previously thought to be eminent Jefferson scholars; have obviated their objectivity and reputations in an effort to calumniate the man who they are charged to clarify and explain; and to whom they owe their livelihood. It is one thing to discuss past events for which there is no possibility of obtaining absolute answers; but it is quite another to stack conjecture upon possibility and draw hard and fast conclusions and promote them as fact in a manner that attempts to alter history.This book shows the initial conclusion drawn by the Hemings Sympathizers and the hackneyed and torturous machinations and flawed logic needed to justify that conclusion. Mr. Jefferson may have impregnated his slave...we cannot; with any absolute certainty; prove or disprove that. However; the Sympathizers would have you believe a set of subjectively chosen circumstances(while omitting; ignoring or minimizing other circumstances); absolutely proves their point. But the plot thickens when it becomes clear that this isn't a case wherein some information was accidently overlooked or just didn't make it in to the final report the Sympathizers rely on...rather; a lot of information was altered or purposely withheld because it didn't further the Sympathizer's claim; and thus paints a very different picture than that available with the full spectrum of information available. This is no longer a case of "intelligent minds can disagree"; it has now taken on the sense that "the Sympathizers intend to do anything to win...and no historical record or facts to the contrary will stand in their way."I have read both the Sympathizer's case and the clearly delineated and effective reduction of it's veracity in this book...now I want to understand the monumental motivations behind what appears to be a wide-spread and ham-handed effort to sacrifice a national icon; for the sake of...what? Political correctness? Proof of myscegenation and mysogyny? A need for a black studies anti-hero? A desire to alter history? A pound of flesh for Sally after 200 years? What is the motivation? Everything from the timing of the false announcement that Mr. Jefferson fathered slave children to the change in belief of everyone from the Director of Monticello; to various historians all points to a concerted effort to alter the historical record. And while discovering the Sympathizer's motivations may be intriguing; I fear the answers would show nothing more than the peurile rantings of biased and bigoted people who did it because they could. After all; who cares about another dead white guy? Only those who care about what went into making this country.If you have a sense of objectivity about this subject; read this book...if not; then enjoy the prurient intimations wrapped up in the fantasy novels of Tom and Sally.5 of 7 people found the following review helpful. First Book in a series of Jefferson defenders - Read it and judge for yourselfBy Christian F. SahlmanThis book was one of the first to be published in response to the misleading Nature article and subsequent media (mis) pronouncements that the DNA was indisputable that Jefferson was; in fact; the father of the youngest of the Sally Hemings' sons. The DNA concluded that "a Jefferson" was the father; however; at that time there were 20+ potential male Jeffersons that lived in Albemarle county that could have been the biological father. It is easy to understand that many Jefferson males would travel to see the most famous Jefferson during his infrequent returns to Monticello during his political career. Their access to Sally during Thomas' visits home is even more plausible and understandable. Couple this with the fact Thomas was in his 60's during the time of conception; and the evidence of Jefferson as father is more doubtful.Lost in the Nature article is the fact that the DNA evidence 100% exonerated Thomas Jefferson in the paternity of Thomas Woodson who had the strongest "oral tradition" (whatever that is worth)of being Jeffeson's son who was supposedly concieved while he was in France with the 14 year old (and highly immature according to Abigail Adams) Sally Hemings.I would also suggest reading the The Jeffeson-Hemings Controversy:The Scholars Report; Jefferson Vidicated; and In Defense of Thomas Jefferson if you would like to hear a more fact-based rebuttal to the hyperventilated media; oral traditions; and agenda based interpretations of our third president. Amazaon carries all three of these well-researched books.
