Rating: 
Summary: Excellent
Review: As a journalist, scholar, lawyer, and Burrata-watcher, I heartily recommend this book. Côté's biography of Burr's eldest and most famous daughter, Theodosia, is an excellent work, well-documented, well-written, engaging, easy to read, and full of interesting tidbits, complete with basic background information on Burr as well as lesser known facts of Southern plantation life, adding a new element to the picture of one of the most interesting women in American history.Having said that, I have two complaints, which are not so much against Côté's work as against the tiresome and inaccurate traditional picture of Burr which Côté to some degree reiterates. My first complaint is about Côté's treatment of the Burr [theory]. Although Côté cites Walter F. McCaleb's "Burr Conspiracy" in his bibliography, he does not reference it at all in his footnotes in the chapter on the [theory]. In fact, given Côté's rendition of Burr in that episode and generally, either he did not read McCaleb or he ignored it. I consider Côté's scholarship generally excellent, but I view this omission as a major deficiency since I think of McCaleb's book as not only THE seminal work on the [theory] but the best understanding of Burr's character to be found anywhere. Unfortunately, few scholars read McCaleb. My second complaint is that Côté did not go further in-depth into Theodosia's character or relationship with her father. This may seem fussy, but it is clear to me that Côté has some unique insights to offer and I simply wish he offered more of them. In my opinion, the most insightful part of the book was Côté's discussion of "emotional incest." I wish Côté had drawn this theme and woven it a bit more into his earlier and later elaborations of Theodosia. Despite my complaints, I believe that Côté succeeds in constructing a picture of Theodosia from the tiny clues of her life that is careful, revealing, and -- because Côté keeps so close to primary sources, including newly unearthed information about her life in South Carolina -- certainly accurate. Other interesting and important chapters are the ones on the various stories of Theodosia's final voyage and fate, her literary legacy, and the mystery of the Nag's Head portrait. The book stands as a monument to Theodosia's life, an excellent resource for future historians, novelists, and screenwriters.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: As a journalist, scholar, lawyer, and Burrata-watcher, I heartily recommend this book. Côté's biography of Burr's eldest and most famous daughter, Theodosia, is an excellent work, well-documented, well-written, engaging, easy to read, and full of interesting tidbits, complete with basic background information on Burr as well as lesser known facts of Southern plantation life, adding a new element to the picture of one of the most interesting women in American history. Having said that, I have two complaints, which are not so much against Côté's work as against the tiresome and inaccurate traditional picture of Burr which Côté to some degree reiterates. My first complaint is about Côté's treatment of the Burr [theory]. Although Côté cites Walter F. McCaleb's "Burr Conspiracy" in his bibliography, he does not reference it at all in his footnotes in the chapter on the [theory]. In fact, given Côté's rendition of Burr in that episode and generally, either he did not read McCaleb or he ignored it. I consider Côté's scholarship generally excellent, but I view this omission as a major deficiency since I think of McCaleb's book as not only THE seminal work on the [theory] but the best understanding of Burr's character to be found anywhere. Unfortunately, few scholars read McCaleb. My second complaint is that Côté did not go further in-depth into Theodosia's character or relationship with her father. This may seem fussy, but it is clear to me that Côté has some unique insights to offer and I simply wish he offered more of them. In my opinion, the most insightful part of the book was Côté's discussion of "emotional incest." I wish Côté had drawn this theme and woven it a bit more into his earlier and later elaborations of Theodosia. Despite my complaints, I believe that Côté succeeds in constructing a picture of Theodosia from the tiny clues of her life that is careful, revealing, and -- because Côté keeps so close to primary sources, including newly unearthed information about her life in South Carolina -- certainly accurate. Other interesting and important chapters are the ones on the various stories of Theodosia's final voyage and fate, her literary legacy, and the mystery of the Nag's Head portrait. The book stands as a monument to Theodosia's life, an excellent resource for future historians, novelists, and screenwriters.
Rating:
Summary: A biography worthy of its fascinating subject
Review: At age 17 Theodosia Burr was reputed to be the best-educated woman in America. Her father was Aaron Burr, a brilliant New York attorney soon to become Vice President of the United States, and at the age of 17 Theodosia married Joseph Alston, scion of one of the wealthiest planter families of South Carolina and a future governor of his state. Over the next 12 years, Theodosia Burr Alston would be touted as a future Empress of Mexico, see her father charged with murder and treason, and finally disappear herself at sea in a mystery that would spark rumors and romantic novels for decades to come. Although Theodosia's status as a woman in early Nineteenth Century - even if a highly intelligent woman from an influential family - and her precarious health after the birth of her only child prevented Theodosia from being a major actor on the political stage in her own right, her story nonetheless provides us with a lens to closely examine important events and social tensions in Jeffersonian America. The relationship between Theodosia and her father, as described by Richard Cote, was extraordinarily, even unhealthily close. Although her marriage was obviously warm, it never threatened to supplant the all-powerful bond between father and daughter. Cote has crafted a vivid, compelling narrative detailing the lives of this remarkable woman and of her gifted, thoroughly amoral father, who in the space of barely two years went from presiding over the U.S. Senate to killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel, to throwing the western territories into turmoil with his ambitious schemes for the conquest of Mexico and - perhaps - the destruction of the American Union, and to being tried for treason. While Aaron Burr's political career spun into a maelstrom of controversy, his daughter's life plunged into personal tragedy. Cote well balances the two main currents of his narrative, the public and the private lives of his subjects, at the same time exploring the realities of existence among the Northern political establishment and the Southern planter elite. He does this with frequent recourse to letters exchanged between Aaron Burr and his daughter and son-in-law, letters touching upon both mundane daily life and also great events. Numerous small illustrations distributed throughout the book add visual dimension to the words for a more complete picture of Theodosia and her world. The concluding chapters of the book examine the circumstances of Theodosia's death - she vanished at sea during the War of 1812 while voyaging north to New York to visit her father who had recently returned from a self-imposed exile in Europe - and explore the mystery of a portrait of a young woman matching Theodosia's description, a painting supposedly looted from a vessel wrecked on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Is it Theodosia? As with several other riddles surrounding her and her father, Richard Cote can provide us with no final answers, but he skillfully presents the evidence so readers can judge for themselves in which direction truth might lie. It has taken nearly two hundred years for a full-fledged biography of Theodosia Burr Alston to appear, but Cote's book is genuinely worthy of its fascinating subject.
Rating:
Summary: Gem of a Book
Review: I didn't think it was possible for one biography to be a mystery,a thriller, a romance and an accurate account of the history of the day. I didn't until I read Dick Cote's "Theodosia Burr Alston:Portrait of a Prodigy". I have been reviewing books for over 15 years on my television show, and this book is truly a gem. Boo Sheppard, Producer/Host
Time Warner
Rating:
Summary: Enlightening!
Review: I entirely disagree with the reader below me. (Everyone owned slaves back then, except for, notably, Alexander Hamilton, who hated slavery, and yes, he wasn't the only one. But still, the focus of the book was Theodosia, not Aaron.) I came across Theodosia while I was watching the PBS Home Video "The Duel" (which I recommend if you are interested in Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, the duel itself, or politics in that time period). I wanted to know more about her and purchased this book. I'm glad I did! This biography seems more like a novel because of the incredible, fast-paced journey it leads you on into the past. I especially liked the last few chapters, when the author explored Theodosia's possible fates and the "mystery of the Nag's Head portrait." This whole book never had a boring moment, so if you are interested in this great yet unknown woman or her infamous father, read this book ASAP!
Rating:
Summary: Enlightening!
Review: I hate to rain on the parade of all these glowing reviews, but this book is a product of shoddy, lazy, amateurish research. A full 59% of the footnotes are based on secondary sources, & a full 25% of those are from one source alone which the author himself admits is unreliable. The section on Aaron Burr's mother is based on a "source" well-known for decades to be [untrue]. The discussion of Burr as a "slave-owner" is totally misleading, based on assumptions for which there is no evidence, & completely overlooks Burr's well known anti-slavery record. I could go on & on, but you get the picture. The book is full of factual errors, misleading assumptions, & faulty logic. Theodosia Burr Alston needs a good biography, but this isn't it.
Rating: 
Summary: A huge disappointment!
Review: I hate to rain on the parade of all these glowing reviews, but this book is a product of shoddy, lazy, amateurish research. A full 59% of the footnotes are based on secondary sources, & a full 25% of those are from one source alone which the author himself admits is unreliable. The section on Aaron Burr's mother is based on a "source" well-known for decades to be [untrue]. The discussion of Burr as a "slave-owner" is totally misleading, based on assumptions for which there is no evidence, & completely overlooks Burr's well known anti-slavery record. I could go on & on, but you get the picture. The book is full of factual errors, misleading assumptions, & faulty logic. Theodosia Burr Alston needs a good biography, but this isn't it.
Rating: 
Summary: Theodosia Burr Alston
Review: I have recently published a paper on Theodosia Burr Alston in a medical journal, concerning her medical history and mysterious death. In the process I read numerous articles and books.
Cote's scholarly biography, in my opinion, stands out as the best book written about this fascinating individual and her family. I especially enjoyed reading Cote's theories of Theo's disappearance and the mystery of the Nag's Head portrait. Overall, the book is easy to read and provides a panoramic view of this period in American history.
Rating:
Summary: A mysterious woman with a powerful mind
Review: I really enjoyed Richard N. Côté's biography Theodosia Burr Alston: Portrait of a Prodigy. Through his use of her letters and other historical documents, Côté has forged a compelling story of Theodosia's life; one that both entertains and educates the reader. It pushes you to question the motives of Theodosia's father, Aaron Burr, who educated his daughter according to the principles of the radical English feminist, Mary Wollstonecraft. He keeps you turning the page for more as you follow Theodosia's intricate and amazing life. For me, who lives in South Carolina, where Theodosia struggled through the last twelve years of her life, it was especially interesting to read about the life of a female intellectual in a time period that was actively opposed to female education. Theodosia proves to be a role model for all women who are looking to succeed in education and knowledge and teaches us that anything is possible despite severe obstacles. Chapter 9, "The Voyage of the Patriot," was of particular interest to me, as it demonstrated what an extraordinary woman Theodosia was. Although frail from recurring health problems and disheartened by both the death of her only son and her father's four-year exile in Europe, Theodosia did not lose hope. She decided to transcend her serious health problems and chose to fulfill her role in life, uphold the values her father had worked so hard to instill in her, and continue on with strength and courage. This is truly a portrait of a noble woman who, despite the many trials she encountered through life, always managed to rise to the occasion.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining Page-Turner
Review: It's hard to believe this is a true story, as there are so many amazing (and sometimes bizarre) twists. I highly recommend it for those teenage girls on your gift list, as Theodosia presents a highly likeable, well-educated role model. Just plan on blocking out some time for this one, because once you start you won't want to put it down!
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