"In 1784, travel wrenched Thomas Jefferson out of the darkest period of his life. He sailed to France a broken man, but on the road, he rediscovered a world of hidden beauty and penned a guide he called "Hints for Americans Traveling in Europe." During a crisis of his own, Derek Baxter dares himself to follow Jefferson's route. On a series of journeys (piloting a Dutch canal boat, hiking the French Alps, and fishing in the Atlantic), Baxter follows the obscure guide across six countries. But not all of his insights into the life of the complex founding father are pleasant. "In Pursuit of Jefferson" is the surprising story of one man's travels through Europe, led by Thomas Jefferson, and the lessons he learns about history--and himself--along the way"-- Provided by publisher.

Includes reading group guide and a conversation with the author (pages 338-344).

The starting line -- Something new under the sun -- Traveling like Jefferson -- Paris, springtime -- The earth belongs always to the living -- Rambles through vineyards -- Jefferson's dream -- Sitting in an English garden -- Behind the fence -- A continued feast through Italy -- The rice smuggler -- Remedial education -- The architecture of dreams -- Those who labor for my happiness -- Hard truths -- Look closer: stories of the enslaved -- The long walk to freedom -- The last days of the Ancien Regime -- French revolutions -- A la Recherche du Moose Perdu -- As if both sides of the Atlantic were not warned by the same genial sun -- We'll always have Paris -- The never-ending pursuit of happiness.