Saving Monticello Book Review

SAVING MONTICELLO BOOK SYNOPSIS

Saving Monticello: The Levy Family's Epic Quest to Rescue the House that Jefferson Built is the mesmerizing history of the treasured home of Thomas Jefferson. This book crosses over generations and gives us the details of how one Jewish family became the saviors, not once but twice, of Monticello keeping it from ruination.

The Levy Family - the True Owners of Monticello
The Levy family owned Thomas Jefferson's home for 89 years, much longer then the Jefferson family. This historical account gives lively and fascinating depth to the people that were pivotal in the Monticello saga. The Levy family, living in the New World since the days of the Georgian colony in 1733, were adamantly patriotic and supportive towards our founding fathers, as men who believed in equality to man without prejudice of religion.

Construction to completion took 40 years. After Jefferson’s death and a brief ownership by a Mr. Barclay, Uriah Phillips Levy, a powerful, ambitious, colorful, Jewish man who achieved the highest rank in the US Navy bought the mansion. "When Uriah Levy took possession of Monticello, a new chapter in the life of Jefferson's beloved mansion had begun" (45).

QUEENIE B SAYS

Without a doubt Queenie B's kind of book!!

This was totally well written and enjoyable even for the non history lover. It’s not only an account of the life of Monticello, but also a rich history of the Jewish American cultures rise and support of our young Nation.

Thomas Jefferson and the American Dream
Perhaps iconic on its own merit, Monticello has come to represent more then just the man who built it. Having passed ownership 4 times before becoming the property of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation, Monticello's overflowing and lively history represents the best and worst of cultivating the "American dream." This is one of America’s most treasured homes.

The people who owned Monticello and saved it from ruin, the Levy family, should perhaps be viewed as the first Historical renovators. Uriah Phillips Levy was not only controversial in his highly ranked position in the Navy, he had a voracious appetite for the good things in life. After his death and years of probate, the next Levy generation took hold of the mansion.

There are lots of twists and turns in the story of this famous home...things you probably never knew! I mean hey, I just thought the Jefferson house went straight to the government’s historical register but that wasn’t the case.

I commend Marc Leepson for bringing out the real drama, ownership, and salvation of this priceless piece of American history that is Monticello. Saving Monticello is a delightful book for anyone interested in famous old houses, genealogy, and history.

SAVING MONTICELLO DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Do you think the Levy family were the first renovators of a Historical home?
2. Should the government have stepped in and taken control over Monticello after Thomas Jefferson died and kept the home in his family instead of allowing it to be sold publicly?
3. Which Levy family owner intrigued you the most?