In my year end best books post I had a category for Pulitzer Prize Winner. I’d probably edit that after reading Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power. Yes, it is that good.

Writing a review of this book would be difficult. It’s the full history of Jefferson, from birth to death, with interesting insights into the legacy of his life. He’s a fascinating character, perhaps the most fascinating in American history. Author of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary War, US Ambassador to France, Secretary of State for George Washington, Vice President, President, and founder of the University of Virginia. And that’s just his professional resume. The list of interests he had is lengthy, from architecture to zoology. And the life he lived was filled with odd contradictions, from his spiritual beliefs to his attitude toward slavery.

Meacham captures it all brilliantly. He makes history come alive on a very personal basis. And that’s why it’s simply a great book worthy of a Pulitzer. Will it get it? Doubtful, since Meacham recently won for another book. But it’s deserving.

Buy it. Read it. You’ll enjoy it.