Author and Protector of Independence

“[…] directly down the lawn and across the Ellipse from the White House are those ordered, classic lines of the Jefferson Memorial and the eyes of the 19 foot statue that gaze directly into the White House…” (503).

The Book

Author Jon Meacham takes the larger-than-life Thomas Jefferson and places him in a biography that captures Jefferson’s life, thoughts, and interactions. Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power is split into sections that represent the “acts” of Jefferson’s life: early life, American Revolution, Governor, Congressional Representative, Diplomat, Secretary of War, Vice President, President, and last days. Most of Jefferson’s political life hinged on his defining vision, “the survival and success of popular government in America” (xx).

Thomas Jefferson is a familiar figure to Americans. What sets this biography apart is the inclusion of Jefferson’s own words. The reader is able to read what Jefferson thought about the Declaration of Independence or the difficulties of being the president. Each chapter weaves Jefferson’s words and the words of his relatives with the author’s words. By relying on Jefferson’s words, Meacham provides the means for the reader to visualize and understand Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power does not shy away from the controversies in Jefferson’s life or the clashes he had with other significant Americans. Jefferson was a strong personality who held strong beliefs, which he sometimes contradicted in practice. The biography is well-researched and well-written. Readers familiar with Jefferson will be introduced to new stories and the words of Jefferson. Readers unfamiliar with Jefferson will find this biography easy to read and come to realize the significance of America’s third president.

The Place

The Jefferson Memorial in located on the National Mall in Washington, DC. As a part of the National Park Service, the Memorial is free and always open for visitors. Inside the Memorial is a 19 foot statue of Thomas Jefferson and inscribed, on the walls, are various quotes by Jefferson.

It is impressive for any visitor to walk into the Rotunda and gaze up at one of the Founding Fathers. The quotes on liberty and government remind the visitor of Jefferson’s insight. Outside the Rotunda, visitors to can walk down the steps to the edge of the Tidal Basin. The Jefferson Memorial also offers one of the best views of the Cherry Blossom trees. They are usually in bloom in March and April.

Thomas Jefferson's Retreat

“A three-story farmhouse designed to look like a one-floor villa, Monticello is a masterpiece of architectural deception” (142). 


The Book 


In Twilight at Monticello: The Final Years of Thomas Jefferson, author Alan Pell Crawford writes about Jefferson’s time at Monticello after he left the presidency. The first nine chapters focus on the land Monticello sits on, Jefferson’s early life, the Revolutionary War, and Jefferson’s time as a public servant. Crawford includes just enough information on Jefferson’s life before retirement to bring the reader up to speed.


Jefferson moved to Monticello when he was 27 and spent majority of the rest of his life there. In designing and adding on to Monticello, Jefferson used half-octagonal shapes that stemmed from his interest in circles and squares (73). Several generations of Jeffersons lived with the family patriarch, which often led to tension. Crawford uses short chapters on specific topics to show the reader that Jefferson was a man just like everyone else. In his final years, Jefferson dealt with bad harvests, debt, family infighting, declining health, and weather damage to his land. The reader comes away with a personal look at the author of the Declaration of Independence, which includes his good and bad points.



The Place   

Monticello is a beautiful place to visit: full of history and views of the surrounding countryside. Just like Mount Vernon, I visited Monticello once as a kid and a second time when I was living in Washington, DC. During the two visits a brand new visitor center was completed to welcome visitors to Jefferson’s home. A video introduces visitors to Jefferson and Monticello before a walk up the hillside. From Jefferson’s front door you can look down the hill and see the University of Virginia. Inside visitors can take in artifacts from the Lewis and Clark Expedition, paintings and busts of family and friends, and a special clock that Jefferson designed.


Jefferson’s library is well stocked, just as it was when he lived there. As visitors file past Jefferson’s rooms they can see his bed that folded out from the wall, in order to conserve space. Outside are the extensive gardens, family cemetery, and walkways that extend from the house. Monticello is a two and half hour drive from Washington, DC and sits just outside Charlottesville, VA. James Madison’s home, Montpelier, is forty-five minutes north of Monticello. Constitution Highway connects the homes of these two Founding Fathers.