That's about how long it has taken to make it through all six volumes of Jefferson and His Time in audiobook format. I have not found a biography of one of the Founders that is nearly as extensive as this, and actually hope I don't because I would probably have to do that one as well. Let's face it though, Jefferson probably had as much or more to do with the liberties we enjoy today as any of them. The volumes in the series were written over a 34 year period between 1948 and 1982. I will admit that at times I hoped for more excitement but, given the amount of detail about the man's life included in the work, that is probably to be expected.
Truly an amazing individual who, in addition to being a statesman, was an inventor, architect, archaeologist, and family man.
He must have liked the birds, too, since he includes a pretty big list of the birds of his beloved Virginia (beginning on page 192) in Notes on the State of Virginia. An interesting challenge is to go through the list and try to figure out some the birds since many of his common names - and most of the scientific names - are nothing like those we use today. Some are easy, even the same, I can figure out a few others, but many remain a mystery. I have Googled a few and have had pretty good luck as there are lists/databases that reference the archaic names. For example, his Lanius tyrannus is the same as Tyrannus tyrannus, which simply names as "Tyrant" or "Field Martin", which we know as an Eastern Kiingbird. I'm guessing a "Painted Finch" could be a Painted Bunting. Something to have a little fun with on a rainy day if you're so inclined . . .
Truly an amazing individual who, in addition to being a statesman, was an inventor, architect, archaeologist, and family man.
He must have liked the birds, too, since he includes a pretty big list of the birds of his beloved Virginia (beginning on page 192) in Notes on the State of Virginia. An interesting challenge is to go through the list and try to figure out some the birds since many of his common names - and most of the scientific names - are nothing like those we use today. Some are easy, even the same, I can figure out a few others, but many remain a mystery. I have Googled a few and have had pretty good luck as there are lists/databases that reference the archaic names. For example, his Lanius tyrannus is the same as Tyrannus tyrannus, which simply names as "Tyrant" or "Field Martin", which we know as an Eastern Kiingbird. I'm guessing a "Painted Finch" could be a Painted Bunting. Something to have a little fun with on a rainy day if you're so inclined . . .
Sounds like an interesting read. I am currently attacking the history of the Civil War. Fun stuff but very gruesome too.
The Civil War is another period I'd like to take a look at and have a bio of Lincoln residing on my "wish list". Have another about James K. Polk on there as well; he seems like he might be an interesting character that you never hear much about. Also on the list is a fairly recent look at Custer (and the "dysfunctional officers" under his command, as the blurb puts it) and the Little Big Horn. Gonna work on a couple of science-y books first before diving back into U.S. history, though.
I have the John Adams audiobook in my personal queue at home.
That's one is pretty good too, though I think - what's was that author's name???? - avoids Adams Unitarian background more than is probably justified, given the content of some of the letters he exchanged with T. Jefferson. The topic of John being very religious seems to come up regularly, but left out, unless I just missed it, is that he did not believe in the divinity of Christ . . . a significant part of the man's history IMHO.
I am reading the book John Adams right now, which is also a great biography of one of our founding fathers. The book was also made into a TV series that won Academy Awards a couple of years ago.
It was the TV series that actually made me aware of the Adams book and, not having TV at the time, prompted to get the audiobook. Was definitely worth it and no doubt had more information than I would have gleaned from a TV show. That post-revolution period was definitely an interesting time; the amount of back and forth sniping that seems to have gone on in the very partisan newspapers seems to make today's political sparring appear almost tame. I might have to take a closer look at Hamilton some day, too - from the Jefferson bio it looks like he was something of a major league jerk . . .