The Jeffersonians & Independence Day 2023

I recently read Kevin R.C. Gutzman's new book entitled The Jeffersonians: The Visionary Presidencies of Jefferson, Madison, & Monroe.  Mr. Gutzman is a history professor @ Western Connecticut State University who received his PhD from the University of Virginia that was founded by Thomas Jefferson so he was literally right @ home writing this book about the only consecutive trio of two term presidencies of the same political party in American history.  

The three Virginian presidents spent much of their lives within 30 miles of each other.  Carol & I have visited all three of their homes - Monticello, Montpelier, &  Highland (known as Ash Lawn-Highland when we visited it).

A great way to honor Independence Day 2023 is to spend some time during the holiday remembering these three men who consecutively served as president during the first quarter of the nineteenth century & as the book says "implemented the foreign policy, domestic, & constitutional agenda . . . setting guideposts for later American presidents to follow."  

Reading the book also gave me an opportunity to update my notes on James Monroe, my favorite president.