A Black descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemingsā family explores Americaās racial reckoning through the prism of her ancestorsāboth the enslaver and the enslaved.
Gayle Jessup White had long heard the stories passed down from her fatherās family, that they were direct descendants of Thomas Jeffersonālore she firmly believed, though others did not. For four decades the acclaimed journalist and genealogy enthusiast researched her connection to Thomas Jefferson, to confirm its truth once and for all.
After she was named a Jefferson Studies Fellow, Jessup White discovered her family lore was correct. Poring through photos and documents and pursuing DNA evidence, she learned that not only was she a descendant of Jefferson on his fatherās side; she was also the great-great-great-granddaughter of Peter Hemings, Sally Hemingsās brother.
In Reclamation she chronicles her remarkable journey to definitively understand her heritage and reclaim it, and offers a compelling portrait of what it means to be a black woman in America, to pursue the American dream, to reconcile the legacy of racism, and to ensure the nation lives up to the ideals advocated by her legendary ancestor.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.