Friday Book Blogging

Okay, for this week's Friday Book Blog, the selection was so limited and the books were so mediocre, that I'm choosing the book I'm currently reading (and am about a third of the way through) as my pick of the week.
Elizabeth Dowling Taylor brings to life the story of A Slave in the White House. This is a biography of a remarkable man who followed James Madison, the father of our Constitution, into the White House as a slave. Paul Jennings, not only learned to read and write, but held a unique vantage point on history, and wrote it all down. Jennings, then went on to purchase his freedom and work for the government. The memoir he wrote is included as an appendix to the biography.
The book is said to paint a relatively unflattering portrait of the Madisons, but I don't mind so much putting clay feet on a founding father. They all were human and products of their time. Today, we recognize slavery as an abomination, but back in 1800, aside from the slaves, not many had a problem with it.
At any rate, I haven't finished yet, but I am completely absorbed by the story of this amazing man who overcame so much in an extraordinary life.

p.s. Happy birthday, LSH!