James Madison: A Life Reconsidered

James Madison: A Life Reconsidered by Lynne Cheney

564 pages

James Madison was the 4^th President of the U.S. States. He was considered the father of the Constitution.  The publication deals heavy on Madison’s political career and his friendship with Thomas Jefferson. I wish it also expanded on his home life with his wife, Dolly Madison.

The Billionaire's Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace

The Billionaire's Vinegar: the mystery of the world's most expensive bottle of wine by Benjamin Wallace - 323 pages

This is the true story of a 1787 Chateau Lafite Bordeaux that was supposedly owned by Thomas Jefferson that sold for $156,000 at auction which set a world's record for the most expensive bottle of wine.  Wallace examines the sale itself and all the players quite exhaustively to get a feel for wine's authenticity.  I'm not a wine person in the least but the personalities involved were very interesting and the potential for fraud in the antique wine market is astounding.  The history buff in me liked learning about Jefferson's wine habits and expertise as well.