One of the clichés about Monticello is that few houses do so good a job revealing the personality of its builder. But clichés get to be such generally because there's truth to them, and that's definitely the case here. If Thomas Jefferson was one of the most interesting figures in American history (and I think that's unquestionably true), then Monticello may well be one of America's most interesting houses. And for this colorful book produced by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, we are guided through the house and grounds by people who know their stuff.

Specifically, the chapters of this title are written by Monticello's director of restoration, the curator, the director of gardens and grounds, and other experts associated with the Foundation. Large, colorful photos are accompanied by informed commentary and all the requisite history, as well as documentation of the decades of restoration work it has taken to get the house and grounds to its current condition. A book doesn't make up for a visit in person -- if anything, I wished for more photos of the interior, especially of the book room and "cabinet." But for a general overview of the house, grounds, and collection, and an insight into the man himself, this book is hard to beat. I recommend it as a souvenir, as well as a nice companion to a Jefferson biography.

Why does it seem that the horse story get's twisted into the youth of this country. This is More Propaganda to save the wild horses. I am tired of this agenda being fed to my children

Don't listen to the guy who gave this book only one star. The research carried out by the author is accurate and correct. Columbus did in fact re-introduce the horse (inadvertently)to North America. If you're really that curious about it all then read 'The Nature of Horses'. I forget the name of the author but it is a first-class scientific account of the evolution of the horse and its escape from extinction by domestication (yes it's true, if we didn't enjoy giddy-upping so much on the backs of horses or getting them to pull stuff there would be no more of the majestic creatures around!). What the previous reviewer mistook as propaganda is actually the product of sound archaeology and zoology. There you have it, straight from the horses...

Don't get me wrong. I love the PBS Radio Show "Click and Clack", but Peters and Townsend are supposed to be legendary management guru's who've made millions as business sages with all of the answers, not a couple of greasy mechanics. But I think the mechanic brothers could offer far more relevant business advice than this pair of has-beens.

Management books aren't known for their 'science', but this tape is essentially two guys talking about some old jobs they had. At cynical moment, their success is actually attributed mostly to 'luck'. Most of their real suggestions are wholly impractical in that they involve the freedom to willfully fire their employees in a manner that would impossible, possibly even illegal, for most companies.

Now this is common to many business motiviational teachings, but why, after all of the advice on getting the right people and paying the right people, is there a long section at the end when ambitious employees are chastised to never ask for a raise (rewards always find their way to those that deserve it, right?) Could it be that the royalties from guru books are nothing compared to the royalties from big companies willing to pay $80,000 a day for this week's management fad? No company is going to buy advice that reminds hoards of employees to ask what they are worth. But now I'm being cynical.