Sterling Biographies®: Thomas Jefferson: Architect of Freedom
Entries in the Sterling Biographies series offer approachable introductions to their subjects' lives in novel-size paperbacks filled with color images. Mullin's biography of Thomas Jefferson surveys the president's life and career, blending facts and anecdotes, all in lively language. Single-page focus boxes include controversial subjects, such as Jefferson's relationship with Sally Hemmings. Unfortunately, the book is unsourced--there are not even notes for quotes. Sources are particularly missed when Mullin makes assertions about Jefferson's private thoughts and feelings: "Jefferson smiled feebly at his friends' stories, all the while feeling as though someone were cutting out his heart." Still, the appealing format and rich assortment of color illustrations, which include numerous photos of Jefferson's inventions and documents, will draw students, who can use this as a good starting place before moving on to more reliably sourced titles. A glossary and a bibliography conclude.Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved