Historical Fiction

Thomas Jefferson, government, ( )

Having never read historical fiction before I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not. Having read about the events of James Callender, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton, however, helped me appreciate and enjoy the story.

In Scandalmonger, we get an up-close look at how Jefferson paid and encouraged Callender to investigate and humiliate not only his nemesis Hamilton but Washington, and Adams. Of course, others were using the press for the same purposes. ( )

William Safire is an exquisite, exacting author whose prose rings with echoes of the 18th century. The book, according to Safire, is not historical fiction, but rather history told as a history. And what a story: political intrigue and manipulation along with the rise of the newspaper men. James Callender, who first revealed Jefferson's relationship with Sally Hemings, gets a better treatment than he often does and Safire admits to having some sympathy for the man. In the larger view, I came away from the book having a much better understanding of the differences between the federalists and republicans of both that time and our own time. Safire's underbook, with its extensive notes and stories about what happened to the main characters, added details and was interesting in its own right. A good read for both fiction and nonfiction fans of American history. ( )

Scandalmonger is an entertaining novel that portrays the important, and often dangerous, role that "newsmongers" played in the early part of our country's history. Safire does a fine job of letting the history expose the personal weaknesses of several Founding Fathers without harping on them. These individuals are humanized, but then also (rather unexpectedly) draw sympathy in the midst of their mistakes. In telling his tale, Safire seizes on the life of Mary Lewis Clement, a character that he portrays as taking hard abuse as her life careens between a number of important men near the turn of the century. Aside from telling an interesting story, Safire also explains well a number of very important disagreements that faced the leaders of the new government. For example, (at p. 161), he highlights the different views of Hamilton and Jefferson with respect to federalism issues. Jefferson is adamant that the states did not submit without limits to the federal government as they united; and in Jefferson's (portrayed) view, the federal government was not made, by the states, the final judge of the extent of the powers delegated to it. Contrasted with Hamilton's quite different view of federalism, these political philosophies drive much of the passion behind the Republican and Federalist camps.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. Safire, of course, is very intentional with his words, and it is a joy to read and appreciate his skill in this regard. ( )