Friday, May 13

               After reading The Republic of Letters, The Correspondence between Jefferson and Madison, 1776-1826, edited by James Morton Smith which is beautifully presented in a three volume W.W. Norton & Company edition, they exchanged nearly 1250 letters, I thought this was surely the most pleasurable reading on my two favorite presidents.  But behold Andrew Burstein and Nancy Isenberg’s Madison and Jefferson, a wonderfully dense (heavy) but delightful single volume that adds even further depth to the exploration of the lives and friendship of the Father of the Constitution and Father of the Declaration. 

            Though Washington (properly launched the new nation) and Lincoln (saved the nation) were our most important presidents, in my opinion, I most enjoy learning about the period of nation building Madison and Jefferson participated in during their friendship, plus comparing their varied personalities.  I cannot think of another relationship between impactful historical figures that is as well documented by the actors themselves.  One gets insights into a critical time in world history with the added bonus of human psychology.