"More than a stunning debut. It is the announcement of a bold new literary voice"
—Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Under common influence, you are assumed to be a great person. Or at least a good leader. And I will concede that. But what is it like? To have a legacy like that? You are on Mount Rushmore, you have your own memorial, your house, Monticello is admired. And yet the man who wrote of the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all men, who are created equal, owned hundreds of slaves. I know that you advocated for non-violent coercion to work, but, um, it still isn’t right at all! I know that you had unconventional ideas that may have made life slightly better for your slaves, but I honestly can’t get it out of my mind. And you had an affair with a young slave as well. I respect what you did to help the country, and I wish that I could keep up with the facade created by respect for your work. I just don’t know. I know that the opinion of one person doesn’t matter in the course of your legacy, but I wish I could know the thought process behind it and just why.