Following his subject from the drafting of the Declaration of Independence to his retirement in Monticello, Joseph Ellis unravels the contradictions of the Jeffersonian character. A marvel of scholarship, a delight to read, and an essential gloss on the Jeffersonian legacy. I started American Sphinx quite a while ago and am having trouble getting through it. The author writes as if he’s proving out his thesis rather than focusing on the character and life of Jefferson. It’s also a tough book to follow John Adams( by David McCullough) which was excellent! I’m thinking about giving The Art of Power a try instead.I have read the Ellis likes to write his books more as a opinion pieces which is what I gathered from reading His Excellency: George Washington.