Sally Hemings: An American Scandal: The Struggle to Tell the Controversial True Story [Hardcover]

Tina Andrews (Author), Thelma Wills Foote (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001

A captivating mix of history, biography, and entertainment, this is a behind-the-scenes account from the writer and producer of the acclaimed CBS miniseries about Sally Hemings, the slave mistress of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. Taking 16 years to write and produce, this book chronicles the extensive research conducted, including the shocking DNA discovery that Jefferson fathered a child with Hemings, as well as the responsibilities involved with producing this controversial tale. Also included is the full screenplay for the miniseries.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Andrews may be best known for her role on Days of Our Lives where she played Valerie, the African American love interest for one of the white characters. When she is dismissed from the show because of fan protest, she finds herself unable to find acting jobs, borrowing from friends and family to keep a roof over her head and unsure what to do next. A remark from her father leads her to start writing and begin her odyssey to learn more about Hemings, Thomas Jefferson's slave mistress. After more than 15 years and countless rejections, Andrews's screenplay about Hemings was shown on television, bringing the story to more than 20 million viewers. This tale is not just about the author's writing of the screenplay but also about her move to screenwriting, a job that has brought her success with the film Why Do Fools Fall in Love and television shows and with getting to know many of the Hemings/Jefferson descendants. Andrews can be strident, and it often feels as if she must convince the listener at all costs that the story is true. The audiobook package indicates that the screenplay is included, but, unfortunately, it was not included in the review copy. An interesting addition to performing arts, television, and creative writing collections, especially those that cater to future screenwriters. - Danna Bell-Russel, Library of Congress
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

Tina Andrews is a prominent African American screenwriter, actress, and producer who wrote the screenplays for "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?," "Jackie (The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Story)," and "Coretta: The Woman Behind Dr. Martin Luther King" and contributed an essay to The First Time I Got Paid for It: Writers' Tales from the Hollywood Trenches. She lives in Malibu, California.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Malibu Pr; 1st edition (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970129548
• ISBN-13: 978-0970129543
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,218,511 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, June 1, 2001

By 

Kimberley Wilson (VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sally Hemings: An American Scandal: The Struggle to Tell the Controversial True Story (Hardcover)

I vaugely remembered Tina Andrews from her acting days. How she goes from being a contract performer on a soap opera to a movie writer and producer is a fascianting story. I'd buy the book for this alone. The struggle to make the Sally Hemmings mini-series is another remarkable tale. Although I think the actress playing Sally was miscast,(I collect books on Sally Hemmings and the actress looks nothing like the description given by both whites and former slaves of Sally) and the addition of the beating scene was unnecessary I enjoyed the mini-series. Ms. Andrews overcame huge odds to bring this story to the public. If you are interested in Sally Hemmings or if you are interested in how movies get made or if you want a glimpse of what it's really like to be black in Hollywood then check this book out.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another View, May 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Sally Hemings, an American Scandal: The Struggle to Tell the Controversial True Story (Paperback)

I think that this book should not have been rated on the basis of grammatical errors. It seems condescending and arrogant. It seems especially irrelevant when very good writers, including Jefferson, would occasionally mispell a few words.

I read the book and saw the movie, and I thought the first part of it, particulary the part relating to the alleged time spent in France, was excellent. I think she did a good job in completing what must have seemed an impossible task which could not have been easy from start to finish.

My only complaint, however, is that in relasing the movie within the desired time frame, there seemed to have been more of an allowance for the misrepresentation or elaboration of many of the facts.

While I do believe that Jefferson fathered these children, I think, the part of the movie depicting the alleged events upon the return to America was entertaining, but should have been researched more for accuracy with regard to the actual depiction of time, dates, and events.

Tina Andrews, in her book gives many reasons for her elaboration in dealing with various matters. But in depicting the life of such an important man as Thomas Jefferson, and especially in how he will be consequently viewed by young and impressionable minds from having watched the movie, I think respectfully, more time should have been devoted for a more accurate depiction.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bright Eyes, August 28, 2010

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Bright Eyes - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Sally Hemings, an American Scandal: The Struggle to Tell the Controversial True Story (Paperback)

Raw human emotions, lasting love and bonds of the heart as well as the people involved.