The DVD was informative and engaging. Burns utilizes the most compelling narrators and resources to substatiate his effort. His history becomes dramatic, multi-faceted, and memorable.

Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. As president, he made the Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon and sent Lewis and Clark to open the west. They left St. Louis and headed up the Missouri River. They took on an interpreter named Charbonneau and his Indian wife, Sacagawea. They reached the Columbia River and sailed to the Pacific Ocean in a three year journey. Thomas Jefferson was a scientist and a product of the Enlightenment.

As with most of Ken Burns' projects, I really enjoyed this film. I've noticed some reviewers faulting it as incomplete in some respects, and although I'm no expert on the subject, I don't doubt that this is not the whole story. I do think the film does a good job of providing insight into the life and thinking of a truly amazing man, and I doubt whether it would be possible to capture on film all that we know about Jefferson from existing literature, even if we were talking about a multi-volume DVD set. In my opinion this film excels in its potential to help spark an interest among viewers about the man and his times. I wouldn't be surprised if this film will lead many to dig deeper, picking up a book or two and learning more. Personally, I was amazed that there is so much information included in this single DVD. Well worth the time spent viewing, more than once.