Miracle on Chestnut Street (Tr)

Milton Nieuwsma explains why he wrote Miracle on Chestnut Street and reflects on Thomas Jefferson, the man and his legacy:

So why did you write this book?

For a couple of reasons. One was to tell the story of the Declaration of Independence from Jefferson’s point of view and in real time. The other reason was to restore his rightful place in history.

Why do you say that?

Well, he’s had a pretty rough go of it the past few decades, first because of DNA and then because of the 1619 Project.

What do you think is Jefferson’s biggest legacy?

More than anyone, he defined the idea of America, the idea that individual freedom is basic to our way of life. He was our country’s first human rights champion. Even with all of our problems today, our country is still a beacon of hope and freedom to people around the world. We owe that mainly to Jefferson.

MILTON J. NIEUWSMA is a two-time Emmy Award-winning writer and creator of the PBS series Inventing America: Conversations with the Founders. He and his wife, Marilee, have three children and seven grandchildren and live in Holland, Michigan.