by Henry Moscow
First published 1960
Thomas Jefferson sits in his study at Monticello, surrounded by books and architectural drawings. The weight of building a new nation presses on his shoulders as he balances his ideals against political reality. Jefferson navigates the treacherous waters of early American politics while wrestling with the contradictions of his own character. He champions liberty while owning slaves, preaches simplicity while living in luxury, and advocates for the common man while remaining an aristocrat. The story follows Jefferson through his relationships with Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and other founding figures as personal rivalries shape the country's future. His romance with Sally Hemings complicates his public image and private conscience. Moscow explores the tension between Jefferson the philosopher and Jefferson the politician, showing how grand principles collide with human weakness. At its heart, this is a story about the price of power and the burden of legacy.
Genres: biography, historical-fiction, 20th-century, american, 19th-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, power-struggle
Setting: Monticello, United States
Period: Early American, 18th-Century
Hardcover · Troll Communications Llc
Content warnings: racism, slavery