This seems to be the season for revealing the peccadillos and indiscretions of the Presidents of the United States. In The Presidents Secret Service by Ronald C Kessler (reviewed on MyShelf) Kessler recounts in almost National Inquirer style the modern presidents' indiscretions. In this new release, The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers, Thomas Fleming reveals many scandals from the early days of our country.

He notes that the media of the time was as obsessed with scandal as the media today. Then as now, few of the leaders escaped from its scrutiny and publication.

George Washington coveted his neighbor's wife. Ben Franklin fathered a child out of wedlock and abandoned his wife to flirt with Parisian madams. Alexander Hamilton was an adulterer. Jefferson's controversy over his slave, Sally Hemings, is only too well known and is still a subject of controversy today.

He notes the legendary love between Abigail and John Adams, and states that Dolly brought color into the life of intellectual James Madison. He feels that knowing and understanding the women in their lives brings depth to the public dimension of the founding fathers.

Thomas Fleming is a renowned historian and novelist well-versed in the period of the American Revolution and its aftermath. He has provided a brilliant, well-researched picture of our early history. It is also a titillating one. He has shown the very human sides of what have always been portrayed as staid and proper men. In his portrayal he has debunked more scandals than he confirms. Fascinating reading.