Twilight at Monticello by Alan Crawford (2008, Hardcover)

Rarely does a nonfiction text grab hold of one's imagination in such a powerful way. Only pages into the text any reader will find a story that while seeming familiar will be rediscovered as if for the first time.

We were surprised at the quick emotional connection with this towering figure of the American Revolution. Thomas Jefferson would have been considered a renaissance man in any era, but his presence at this pivotal point in history contributes to the good fortune of all who would follow.

American history comes alive as the story of a young Thomas Jefferson sets the stage for what would become his later life at Monticello. To have reached the height of accomplishment during his time as President of the United States would have been enough. This text tells the story of all that came afterward, and how a man beyond the high watermark of his career can live out his days in such a way that his legacy is not diminished, but secured for the ages.

Of particular note is the study of Jefferson's evolving perspective on slavery; how a nation can speak to injustice when it is so deeply tied to a protected economic system. Students of any era will benefit from a study of a changing paradigm; one that echoes through the years to the present day and beyond.

Absolutely worth reading; a masterful work by author Alan Crawford.