Critical Lives: Thomas Jefferson explores the historical, political, intellectual and cultural significance of the U.S.' third president—who he was, what he did, why we remember him in a way we don't remember many of his contemporaries. Coverage includes Jefferson as the country boy who travels to Williamsburg, Virginia, the revolutionary as a "silent" member of the Continental Congress, the politician as the Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State and U.S. President, and as the philosopher of Monticello. This book also discusses Jefferson as a lover and his connection to the slave, Sally Hemmings.