Here’s a good book for today: Jefferson, A Monticello Sampler, by Rick Britton. It explores several of the lesser-known aspects of TJ’s life, such as his star-crossed governorship, his interest in fossils, and his involvement in the Freeman and Custis expedition, which was supposed to be a kind of triumphant sequel to the historic journey of Lewis and Clark.

Rick isn’t just a writer, he’s also a mapmaker–he designed the map of 1861 Washington that will appear in the forthcoming AmazonEncore edition of The First Assassin. That’s how I got to know him. I sent him my book, he sent me his. I’ve enjoyed dipping into it and you may too.