Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham

Thomas Jefferson grew up in a distinguished, privileged family, with every advantage - money, an excellent education and a brilliant mind.  Even he had his share of troubles, however.  His father and his sister died when he was young.  The lanky and handsome young man also had a few rejections before he met his wife, surprisingly.  These included a rejection from one of his friend's wives! The great man chased her for two years, even going into her bedroom.  She was not pleased, to say the least!

These are just some of the stories in this book, which is a pleasure to read. They are amongst the more frivolous tales, of course. I haven't finished it yet, but Jon Meacham also studies Jefferson's personality and background acutely.  He has also thoroughly researched the tactics which made him so powerful and such an important part of American history.