This book could have been called "Monster of the Mountain" for this is a no-holds barred attack on the wicked Thomas Jefferson by an "independent" scholar who actually lives in Charlottesville. I can't imagine the author is very popular in Mr. Jefferson's town.
Published last October, this book has attracted lots of comments, pro and con. No matter what anyone says, Jefferson will always have his defenders and his attackers.
Some scholars will NEVER forgive Jefferson for his record on slavery. The author of the Declaration of Independence was one of the biggest slave holders in Virginia. He freed a few of his slaves before he died, but most were auctioned off after his passing to pay down his debts. Jefferson died insolvent.
It is hard to come to a definitive opinion of Mr. Jefferson. I would say at this point that it is impossible.
Somehow the defenders of Thomas Jefferson always find a way to exonerate him. This author says no way. The problem is the larger one of coming to grips with this country's history of slavery. I do not see how we informed Americans can ever excuse or come to rational grips with our history of slavery. We can't fool ourselves anymore. Where do we go from here?
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