Young Tom Jefferson had red hair and a mind of his own. He owned the finest foxhound in Virginia, he rode a horse at breakneck speed, he could play a lively tune on the fiddle—but he also hated to see anyone unjustly treated. When, at fourteen, his father's death made him master of Shadwell, he had a chance to prove that he meant what he said. Within two years, Shadwell became one of the happiest, most prosperous plantations in Virginia.

Later, at William and Mary College, people sometimes criticized this odd young man and his eccentric ideas about freedom. But Tom didn't mind. When he found that were were many unfair laws in existence in Virginia, he set about having them repealed and better ones written. Sometimes he succeeded and sometimes he didn't, but he never stopped trying.

In 1776, the American Revolution was fought for the very thing young Tom had always believe in—and it was Thomas Jefferson who was chosen to draft the Declaration of Independence. 

Earl Miers' story of the boy who became our third President will make Thomas Jefferson live again for every boy and girl who reads this stirring biography.

From the dust jacket