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Thomas Jefferson's Creme Brulee

How a Founding Father and His Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to America

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Thomas Jefferson's Creme Brulee

By: Thomas J. Craughwell
Narrated by: Alan Sklar
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About this listen

In 1784, Thomas Jefferson struck a deal with one of his slaves, 19-year-old James Hemings. The founding father was traveling to Paris and wanted to bring James along for a particular purpose - to master the art of French cooking. In exchange for James's cooperation, Jefferson would grant his freedom. Thus began one of the strangest partnerships in United States history. As Hemings apprenticed under master French chefs, Jefferson studied the cultivation of French crops (especially grapes for winemaking) so that they might be replicated in American agriculture. The two men returned home with such marvels as pasta, French fries, Champagne, macaroni and cheese, crème brûlée, and a host of other treats. This narrative history tells the story of their remarkable adventure.

©2012 Thomas J. Craughwell (P)2013 Tantor Americas Cooking Food & Wine Gastronomy Politicians Politics & Activism Presidents & Heads of State Revolution & Founding United States France Founding Fathers Wine

Critic Reviews

"[A] tasty addition to the long list of Jefferson's accomplishments." ( Kirkus)

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A perfect third take on Thomas Jefferson!

Having only just finished Meacham's Art of Power - which followed Hitchens' shorter biography, I regret not giving this to my class as its first recommended reading on the impact on Jefferson on US culture. Our first president in my proposed, multi-year reading project thorough all the key presidencies: good and not-so-good.

The narrator, Alan Sklar was so good - make sure you have a good speaker to capture his occasionally growling baritone - we were swept along. The text is so good that you even want to stay on to hear the appendices in their entirety.

Jefferson - what a man and what a huge impact he had on the creation of American democracy and culture. Yes, he was flawed but I can only hope that all he stood for isn't going to be swept away in the coming years?

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