A readable, brief bio of America’s third president by this Brit-turned-American polymath critic.  Jefferson (b. 1743-d.1826) emerges as an imperfect but inspired idealist who as President from 1800 to 1808 bought the Louisiana Purchase, launched the Lewis and Clark expedition and expanded US foreign status through his successful war with the Barberry pirates.  The conflicts between the Jeffersonian Republicans (small central government) and the Adams/Hamilton Federalists and between slave owning and his wish to set Africans free and send them back to Africa are well described.  Readable and fast paced, it’s a fine little book.