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Thomas Jefferson's life seems to be riddled with contradictions: he wrote "all men are created equal" yet owned hundreds of slaves; he feared mixing the races yet fathered children with a partially black slave. Joseph J. Ellis took this Jefferson-as-enigma approach in American Sphinx, which won the National Book Award for nonfiction in 1997. E.M. Halliday, however, argues that "the 'sphinx' approach tends to mystify rather than enlighten" and attempts to reconcile some of the contradictions in Understanding Thomas Jefferson.

Halliday starts off with a comprehensive sketch of Jefferson's life, from his father's death when he was 14 to his own death on July 4, 1826. Halliday describes Jefferson's college days, his passionate marriage, his trip to Paris, and, of course, his relationship with Sally Hemings, his slave and concubine.

Halliday's analysis of the Jefferson-Hemings affair is refreshing, given that many biographers have felt Jefferson lost all interest in sex after his wife's death (or, to quote Nick Nolte, who played the man in Jefferson in Paris, "The historians like to think that after Jefferson's wife died, his dick fell off"). Halliday lays out all the evidence, also noting that "most biographers have paid insufficient attention ... to the probability that some of her traits, of both appearance and character, were reminiscent of her half sister, Jefferson's greatly beloved wife." He then criticizes the "blinkered historians" who ignored or dismissed ample evidence of the affair--that is, before DNA testing proved that Jefferson fathered at least one of Hemings's children.

A series of related essays follows the biography, including a clear-eyed view of the relationship between history and fiction. Throughout the book, Halliday writes in a chatty, almost gossipy tone, noting the Marquis de Lafayette's "formidable expanse of forehead," describing Jefferson's "tall, lean but muscular figure," musing that "September in Paris, while less celebrated in love songs than April, can be a wonderfully sexy time of year." Entertaining, informative, and eminently readable, Understanding Thomas Jefferson will leave readers feeling that they do. --Sunny Delaney ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Better title-Understanding Jefferson's sex history
This book is a very easy to read seemingly well documented work but it will not provide the reader with Thomas Jefferson in historical context. If your interest is in what Mr. Jefferson accomplished during his life and the many great achievements that he participated in on behalf the formation of the United States I would pass up this work.If your interest lies in his carnal side and his personal sexual history this might be more your speed.Had I known this was the piece of fluff that it turned out to be I would not have wasted my money on this work.This book would probably be a good basis for daytime TV couch potato fare.It is hardly a good work of historical content and most likely would have been rejected by any Masters level thesis committee.Most of this book could be condensed into one chapter.
On a number of occasions Mr Halliday lets his own personal political bias color his image of Mr. Jefferson pushing this work even further from the vein of relevant history.
I picked up this work based upon the recommendations on the inside cover.I have always been impressed with the historical works of Mr. Ambrose but I believe that there must have been more to his review.

A Different View of a Founding Father
A word of warning from the get-go:E. M. Halliday's "Understanding Thomas Jefferson" is not your standard biography of our third president.It does not fawn, nor does it marbleize Jefferson as some untouchable, unknowable, walking mystery so impenatrable that none but the most scholarly of biographers dare touch him.

What you come away with from this book is a sense that you know Jefferson just a bit better or, barring that, you at least have had a light shown upon areas of his life not heretofore illuminated for fear that doing so might "cut him down to size", make him merely mortal.

Halliday takes us through just about all the phases of Jefferson's life, from his youthful years, through his marriage, his various relationships with the three main women in his life (outside of his daughters):his wife, Martha, Maria Cosway and Sally Hemings.He shows us Jefferson's stormy relationship with Alexander Hamilton while the former served as Secretary of State and the latter Secretary of the Treasury in Washington's cabinet.

He unsparingly comments on previous, "god-like" biographers of Jefferson, including Dumas Malone and Merrill Peterson, pointing out their (to him) flaws and blindnesses (especially on the subject of Sally Hemings).He steers the reader in other directions of thought that these men did not see fit to address, which failure, as Halliday would have it, presents an incomplete picture of their celebrated subject and cheats posterity of a history which is "meaningful".

There are blunt discussions and speculations upon the nature of Jefferson's sexual development, both before, during and after his ten years of relative marital bliss with Martha Wayles Skelton.If you are someone who just cannot abide the thought that Jefferson had a sexual and, apparently, long-term and loving relationship with Sally Hemings (despite acknowledged DNA evidence to the contrary), or who thinks that after Martha Jefferson's death, her husband turned off his sexual desires like one turns off a kitchen faucet and became an emotionless stone statue, then perhaps this book might not be your cup of tea.

Try it anyway.Mr. Halliday makes his case rationally, calmly and gradually, debunking a few things and confirming others along the way, for example, rendering the supposedly "long-lasting" passion of Jefferson for Maria Cosway (the married English lady with whom he flirted - and we really don't know what else - while he was ambassador in Paris) much shorter than it actually was, primarily because ... well, Maria was apparently a bit of a fluff-head.And you can well imagine that Jefferson, of all people, with his love of learning and books and education, could not long have endured a ditzy female.

If you had read nothing about Jefferson, and wanted to use this as a first introduction to the man, I'd discourage it, recommending that you read at least one other "mainstream" conventional biography before reading E. M. Halliday's work in order to see the sharp contrast between the two resources.If you approach Thomas Jefferson in that fashion, then Halliday's honesty and open style, as well as his obvious desire that history consider all aspects of its subject, no matter how unthinkable or "forbidden", will become, I believe, quite appealing.

You will find this book a refreshing look at one of the most respected figures in American history, no less so because he is examined unsparingly and who, while found wanting in some aspects of his life, emerges less of an enigma and more of an "every man" than most biographies of Jefferson would have you to believe.

Still Don't Understand
After reading Founding Brothers and being a bit disappointed in the overactive imagination of Joseph Ellis, I was looking forward to avoiding his American Sphinx by reading this book.

I have no doubts about the knowledge or competency of the author, it's just that the story was told in a somewhat disjointed manner. I can't say that I would recommend this book unless you've read so much of Jefferson that you're just looking for something extra.

A Human View of an American "Superhuman"
I selected this book somewhat blindly from my library after learning that Thomas Jefferson was, if not officially, predisposed to a Unitarian belief system and desiring to learn more about who he was as a person.I was pleasantly surprised to find this book showed a real insight (even though speculative in some cases) into who Jefferson was as a living, breathing, feeling human being, and I recommend it highly.

Most biographies are full of what I like to call "textbook" prose.They try to pass themselves off as interesting reads, but they are usually no more than boring recitations of dates and places with cautiously worded speculation about what these facts might have meant.They focus on the history of the nation more than the history of the person (which is what I thought biographies were supposed to be about!).This book is far from that!

In short, if you are looking for a glimpse into what the personal life of Jefferson probably was like, you will love this book!It is truly engrossing, and a liberating view of one of the founding personalities in our nation.I personally do not believe that you can understand the impact a person has on history without knowing what their underlying personal motivations are.If, however, you prefer your history with only those details that can be proved beyond any doubt and clean of the "distraction" of the messiness of real life that we all endure, no matter how famous or great (emotion, personal failure, and, oh, yes, even sex), don't even consider this read.But if you're willing to suspend your discomfort with knowing the starkly human and ordinary details of the "superhuman" lives in our history (that might change your hallowed view of these great figures), you will have a real treat awaiting you.And, I truly believe, the insights necessary for really comprehending the usual recited historical facts.

A Human View of an American "Superhuman"
I selected this book somewhat blindly from my library after learning that Thomas Jefferson was, if not officially, predisposed to a Unitarian belief system and desiring to learn more about who he was as a person.I was pleasantly surprised to find this book showed a real insight (even though speculative in some cases) into who Jefferson was as a living, breathing, feeling human being, and I recommend it highly.

Most biographies are full of what I like to call "textbook" prose.They try to pass themselves off as interesting reads, but they are usually no more than boring recitations of dates and places with cautiously worded speculation about what these facts might have meant.They focus on the history of the nation more than the history of the person (which is what I thought biographies were supposed to be about!).This book is far from that!

In short, if you are looking for a glimpse into what the personal life of Jefferson probably was like, you will love this book!It is truly engrossing, and a liberating view of one of the founding personalities in our nation.I personally do not believe that you can understand the impact a person has on history without knowing what their underlying personal motivations are.If, however, you prefer your history with only those details that can be proved beyond any doubt and clean of the "distraction" of the messiness of real life that we all endure, no matter how famous or great (emotion, personal failure, and, oh, yes, even sex), don't even consider this read.But if you're willing to suspend your discomfort with knowing the starkly human and ordinary details of the "superhuman" lives in our history (that might change your hallowed view of these great figures), you will have a real treat awaiting you.And, I truly believe, the insights necessary for really comprehending the usual recited historical facts. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Interesting
I thought that this book was very interesting. I always thought that Thomas Jefferson was a great man but I didnt know how great until I read this book. I liked how the other not only went in depth with his adulthood but childhood as well. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for information about U.S. history.

Interesting
I thought it was very interesting. I knew that Thomas Jefferson was a great person but I didn't know how great until I read this book. I thought it was great how the author explained his childhood in depth along with his adulthood. I learned a lot from this book and I recommend this book to anyone looking to become more familiar with the history of the U.S. ... Read more

Book Description

This volume inaugurates the definitive edition of papers from Thomas Jefferson's retirement. As the volume opens, a new president is installed and Jefferson is anticipating his return to Virginia, where he will pursue a fascinating range of personal and intellectual activities. He prepares for his final departure from Washington by settling accounts and borrowing to pay his creditors. At Monticello he tells of his efforts to restore order at his mismanaged mill complex, breed merino sheep, and otherwise resume full control of his financial and agricultural affairs.

Though he is entering retirement, he still has one foot firmly planted in the world of public affairs. He acknowledges a flood of accolades on his retirement and has frequent exchanges with President James Madison. While fielding written requests for money, favors, and advice from a kaleidoscopic array of relatives, acquaintances, strangers, cranks, anonymous writers, and a blackmailer, he maintains a wide and varied correspondence with scientists and scholars on both sides of the Atlantic.

The volume's highlights include first-hand accounts of Jefferson's demeanor at his successor's inauguration and one of the most detailed descriptions of life at Monticello by a visitor; Jefferson's recommendations on book purchases to a literary club and a teacher; chemical analyses of tobacco by a French scientist that first isolated nicotine; the earliest descriptions of the death of Meriwether Lewis; one of Jefferson's most eloquent calls for religious tolerance; and his modest assessment of the value of his writings in reply to a printer interested in publishing them.

Reviews (1)

Magisterial and magnificent
The launch of THE PAPERS OF THOMAS JEFFERSON: RETIREMENT SERIES is a major event in American historical scholarship, and this splendid volume gets the series off to a magnificent start.The editorial methods are, as always, exacting; the scholarship is superb; and the contents of this volume already illuminate the beginning of Jefferson's retirement and the ways in which he and the American people collaborated in devising the roles that an ex-President should play in American public life.Anyone who cares about Thomas Jefferson should study this volume and its successors with care. ... Read more

Book Description

Fly-fish the pristine waters of the Owens River. Step up to the microphone in a California honky-tonk. Surf the biggest waves California has ever seen. Mingle with ducks in an urban oasis. Roller skate through L.A.'s Union Station. See California through the eyes of 27 of the state's finest writers in this delicious travel and adventure anthology. All of the contributors to MY CALIFORNIA donated their work so proceeds of this book can benefit the beleaguered California Arts Council, an agency forced to suspend school writing and arts education programs in 2003. The arts council has earmarked money from MY CALIFORNIA for writing programs for children statewide.Join contributors Pico Iyer, Michael Chabon,Thomas Steinbeck,Dana Gioia, Matt Warshaw,Patt Morrison, T. Jefferson Parker, Edward Humes, Mark Arax,Deanne Stillman, Rubén Martínez, Percival Everett, Kathi Kamen Goldmark, Mary Mackey, Gerald Haslam, Aimee Liu,D.J. Waldie, Héctor Tobar, Firoozeh Dumas, devorah major, Carolyn See, Chryss Yost, Anh Do,Derek M. Powazek,Daniel Weintraub, David Kipen, and Veronique de Turenne in a good read for a good deed!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An eclectic collection
This is a terrific collection of writing about California from a spectrum of outstanding authors. AND it's for a good cause. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

80 plus years of life in a short story
A very well written, factuol book. But squeezes years of life into 4-5 large print pages. Not a book to be read if your looking for details about his life or service to the country. No need to have a 325 page glossary, should have been more information about TJ.

Truly the
Andrew Allison'a "The Real Thomas Jefferson" is truly a treasure.
Starting out with a really informative and well written short biography, and then going into an alphabetical section of Jefferson's views according to his actual quotes really makes this book shine. Jefferson is shown in his true glory as a champion of the common man, and a defender of liberty and freedom. It is also an excellent biography of his sterling character refuting the lies and propaganda about the alleged Hemings affair. A revolutionary, politician, architect, scientist this was Jefferson, an "American Da Vinci" so to speak. Particularly informative is the section showing his lifelong support for public education, and religious freedom. A great buy.

THE BEST BIOGRAPHY I'VE SEEN ABOUT THOMAS JEFFERSON---
---In ONE volume!!

What is so good is that Andrew Allison completely documents his history so that you get a really clear view of Thomas Jefferson. I also appreciate the fact that the author doesn't pander to the sleaze that so many authors resort to in order to make a few extra sales. In fact he shows why the recent smear tactics on Jefferson are fraudulent.

THREE CHEERS FOR ANDREW ALLISON FOR HIS COURAGE TO TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT JEFFERSON!!!

The last 330 pages of text contain quotations from Thomas Jefferson himself on many different subjects. Each of these quotations is placed alphabetically according to the subject that it deals with. This way a reader can use this book as a reference to look up what Thomas Jefferson believed on any particular issue. This last section of the book was prepared by Cleon Skousen, Richard Maxfield and Delynn Cook, and is, by itself, worth the price of the book.

--George Stancliffe

Get to know the REAL Jefferson
This book is well written and easy to read. I've developed a great love and respect for Thomas Jefferson after reading this book. He was a man of character and a man of vision. This book has helped me understand the truth... Jefferson did not have sexual relations with Sally Hemings. And he is not the father of her children. That lie was made up by an angry relative.

Read this book and get to know the REAL man!

The Real Thomas Jefferson
"The Real Thomas Jefferson" is a biography about the sad but inspiring life of Thomas Jefferson . In the back of the book it has quotes from Jefferson on different subjects.

" The Real Thomas Jefferson" tells a lot of what Jefferson thought government should be like and what kind of man he was . It also tells about all the invention like the copy press etc. etc. "The Real Thomas Jefferson" also tells about his life in France, and his influence on the

constitution . It also talks about the loss of his 5 children and his wife and also his love for his remaining family . It tells about his love for books, and the outdoors, and his home,. The Real Thomas Jefferson tells about his Presidency and all the trouble he had with the press . I recommend this book to people how want to learn about Jefferson and the government. It is very detailed and I think it made me way smarter. The Real Thomas Jefferson, by Andrew M. Allison published in 1987 ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Thought provoking and insightful...
Aesthetic Autobiography is a fascinating study of the transmutation of life fact into fiction. Nalbantian's basic premise is that one's fictionalization of one's own life reveals more about an individual than an individual's earnest attempt at self documentation by way of a "memoir." The first chapter is an analysis of autobiography proper; in the second chapter Nalbantian introduces theories of "aesthetic autobiography," and in the subsequent chapters she relates her model of a shared aesthetics to the giants of twentieth-century autobiography. For example, writers of aesthetic autobiography share a concentration on a place, a childhood memory, and a beloved family member. In additon, they each utilize a concrete element as an anchor in time. It is a very creative work, and any individual interested in the creative process, the transmuation of life fact into fiction, will find this study essential and illuminating.

How much is too much?
The constant edification of authors reaches a sickening degree when their lives are marched out like so much cannon fodder. Are they interesting people? Undoubtedly. Worthy of print? Surely. Worthy of endless reams of print that never stops? You get the idea ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Jefferson in power
What can be said about this monument to Jefferson scholarship? I am sure that somewhere in universities around the United States there are "scholar squirrels who want to put down this invaluable resource in Jefferson studies. It is always the way that mice attempt to gnaw at lions. This is not a perfect work (and my remarks refer to all of the books in the series as a whole), there are somethings, namely Sally Hemmings references which are wrong and will not sit well with American 21st century mores. There is the issue of slavery which was handled much differently 50 years ago than it is now.
Jefferson is not worthy of our interest because of Sally Hemmings and because he kept slaves. Jefferson is great because of the Declaration of Independence and his fight for the rights of man. While it may have been hypocritical to preach liberty and keep slaves, it is doubtful that slavery ever would have been abolished if Jefferson had never gained the prominence that he did. This book and the others that follow show why we should continue to honor the public man even though his private side may have been wanting.

Jefferson: The President First Term 1801-1805
Jefferson: The President First Term 1801 - 1805 is the fourth volume in a series of six. This volume is exclusively Jefferson as the President of the United States. Jefferson's first task as President was to unite a politically divided country.

Jefferson's immediate goal was to show a peaceful transfer of authority and then never lose sight of this goal then maintain unity within his party. Jefferson was more moderate politically than his party partisians, but he did require unity and loyalty.

Jefferson was a man of paradox, he was recognied as the head of his party, but he longed of his home in the Virginia foothills. Jefferson put his faith in the individual as he sought to increase personal freedoms, but he was plagued early on by the Hamiltonians wanting a stronger central government. Later on John Marshall appointed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by John Adams in his waining Presidency would be at odds with Jefferson. This conflict was mainly a political viewpoint, but the arguments would be heated as the successive phases took shape.

Jefferson had forethought and wanted the river rights of the Mississippi. This later worked toward the Louisiana purchase and the expansion of the United States west of the Mississippi. Jefferson was determined that New Orleans should be part of the United States. So, by shrewd dipolmacy, the deal was struck. But to acquire West Florida was not to come till his second term and so with the exploration of the Louisiana territory with Lewis and Clark.

Jefferson symbolized freedom and democracy, but friends clearly showed respect. Jefferson's composure while President showed and he ran a balanced government. This is a very good and scholarly work, but the deals and facts are there... only thing the author needed to do was bring out Jefferson the man more to the forefront.

Not really biography, and not mainly about Jefferson
When I opened the first volume of Dumas Malone's biography of Thomas Jefferson, I expected to spend hours of reading in the company of one of the greatest men who ever lived, vicariously reliving his life in its minutest details and basking in his genius. These expectations were partly satisfied with the first volume, which describes Jefferson's formative years- if such years can indeed be set apart from the life of a man who never ceased to grow. However, as I closed this fourth volume, I was forced to admit that I had gained very little new insight in its purported subject, and that the whole volume had proved rather tedious to read.

The six-volume series has been described as « a major achievement in the half-way house between history and biography ». Laudatory though this comment may be, it summarizes for me the major flaw of Malone's enterprise : its failure as biographical writing. Nowhere is this clearer than in this fourth volume, where Jefferson himself seems to recede in the background while the author retells the most tedious details of the workings of his administration, however unrelated to Jefferson himself.

The « un-biographical » character of the work is reinforced by its format : instead of following Jefferson chronologically, Malone has chosen to offer us a series of chapters organized around such themes as the executive appointments, Marbury vs. Madison or the Louisiana Purchase, thus imposing conventional textbook divisions on the organic flow of Jefferson's life. As a result, the « biography » reads as a series of historical essays, and certain important topics are relegated to the next volume. Nothing is said for instance about Jefferson's personal relation with Meriwether Lewis or his involvement in the preparations of the Lewis and Clarke expedition.

Perhaps even more regrettable is the general impression of Jefferson given by Malone as a relatively unintellectual man who had apparently done most of his reading in his youth and never bothered to systematize his thinking, being more concerned with his presidential duties, his social life and the occasional joys of the countryside.

Apart from a few interesting chapters, therefore, such as « The Religion of a Reasonable Man », and the welcome refutation of the Sally Hemings myth, this curious hybrid of a volume should be eschewed by those who seek a genuine understanding of Jefferson the man. To them, David Mayer's « The Constitutional Thought of Thomas Jefferson », and a good selection of Jefferson's own writings, should prove much more profitable reading. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A detailed juvenile biography of good ol' LBJ
All of the volumes in the Encyclopedia of Presidents series begin in media res, as does this one of Lyndon B. Johnson, which opens with "Three Tragic Hours in Dallas" as LBJ succeeds JFK as the President. Jim Hargrove then goes back to the beginning and follows Johnson's rise up the political ladder from his Texas beginnings to solider, senator "Super Senator, Vice-President, and then the nation's 36th President. The emphasis is more on Johnson's political biography than an understanding of his heritage. Hargrove does touch on LBJ's handling of the Vietnam War and his dream of a "Great Society," but he never really offers an evaluation of his subject. Johnson is a fascinating politicial figure, the most qualified person to be Vice-President in over a century, and a social reformer in the FDR New Deal tradition whose domestic agenda was blotted out by a foreign war. This volume is filled with historic photographs of Johnson, including dozens from what must be family albums, as well as pictures of the times in which he lived. As a juvenile biography of LBJ this volume is certainly competent and it may well be that because I remember him as being such a larger than life figure (albeit mostly as a result of self-inflation) that I find it to fall short of capturing his essence. However, for young students assigned to research LBJ, this book will provide all the historical details they would need. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Real Jefferson, Not the Reinvented One
I've always maintained that the best way to understand the founders is to understand them on their on terms. Mayer believes this too and does an excellent job at profiling the constitutional thought of Jefferson and his political philosophy. Too often, shoddy partisan scholarship like that of Richard Matthews gets it quite wrong on the founders. They do so quite purposefully choosing to dwell statically on one quote or episode instead of objectively highlighting the development of their subject. Mayer explains Jefferson on his own terms, as "whig," "federal," and "republican," hence his First Inaugural Address. Jefferson was an adament defender of federalism, state's rights and the Constitution. His alleged "radical egalitarianism" was more than tempered by his mistrust of central government and the huddled urban masses and his rejection of majoritarian tyranny. "Democracy is not practicable beyond the limits of a town," avows Jefferson. Despite his occasional contradictions, his early tenacity of youth and sympathies with the French Revolution, he was a true Whig and a classical republican, and advocate of limited government. He is an enduring founding father who deserves careful study and admiration for his statesmanship.

Also recommended: Alexander Hamilton and the Constitution by Clinton Rossiter.

Excellent
This is indeed the finest study of Jefferson's political thought to date. Unlike other authors, Mayer penetrates to the core of Jefferson's political philosophy, revealing him to be fundamentally a "real whig," with emphasis on his distrust of government.

Valuable resource for Thomas Jefferson historians
Having consumed most of the recent volumes on the life and times of our third president, I would have to say that Mayer's book is one of the strongest when it comes to the concrete exploration of his political thought processes.

One of the reviewers on the back cover copy says that "Mayer allows Jefferson to speak for himself. This alone would recommend the work." Indeed. This is one of the strengths of the book with its extensive referencing to the words of one of our founding fathers. It also does the same justice to the philosophers and statesmen who influenced Jefferson throughout his life.

One of the most interesting aspects of the book is the scholarly analysis of what it meant (to Jefferson) to be a Whig. I was also compelled by the discussion of the whig concept of a government is more republican (small r) if it is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence.

Mayer is not reluctant to point to many of Jefferson's overly optimistic or downright naive assumptions on the practical implications of running a government.

One area I wished Mayer spent more time exploring was Jefferson's thoughts on bicameralism and separation of powers; and more specifically on the original contention that the Senate served as a break on run away emotions protecting minority interests (to avoid tyranny of the majority that Madison was so fearful of, but not Jefferson).

All told, this book is of value for those who admire Jefferson, who are critical of his standing, and for those who quote his examples without really knowing what they are doing. ... Read more

Book Description

Although Thomas Jefferson, author of the words "All men are created equal," was a lifelong enemy of the institution of slavery, he considered over six hundred human beings his legal possessions over the course of his long life. Building on Stanton's highly acclaimed Slavery at Monticello, this fascinating work highlights the stories of six enslaved families who lived and worked at Monticello and provides general information on events and issues that affected the entire African-American community.

Informed by the extensive records and accounts of Thomas Jefferson, the book also draws from oral histories of the descendants of former slaves as well as the reminiscences and letters left by men and women who lived in slavery at Monticello. Stanton unveils the lives of the African Americans who experienced bondage on Jefferson's plantations and examines the wide variety of ways in which individuals responded to their situation, whether as "trusty servants," resourceful leaders, or outright rebels. The book also chronicles the many accomplishments of Monticello slaves and their descendants, either during their enslavement, as the creators of hand-crafted furniture in Monticello's joinery and European-inspired cuisine served in the Monticello dining room; or after gaining freedom, as the founders of churches and schools and businesses. The skills practiced at Monticello were carried to all parts of the country, and the fight for education, freedom, and family integrity continued long after they left the mountaintop. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A look at the multi-faceted character of Thomas Jefferson
"Thomas Jefferson: A Picture Book Biography" does an excellent job of providing a simplified yet well-rounded portrait of one of the more complex figures in American history. Instead of detailing Jefferson's long list of accomplishments, author James Cross Giblin takes a more anecdotal approach which treats his childhood and his private life on an equal footing with the things he wrote and offices he held in public life. This is a book that looks at Jefferson's first term as President in terms of the Louisiana Purchase and the mockingbird that kept him company in his study. Sally Hemmings is mentioned several times as an important house slave, but without bringing up the evidence she was the half-sister of Jefferson's wife or that she bore Jefferson several children after his wife died. However, Jefferson's affection for Maria Cosway is covered. The end result is an understand more of the man than of the political figure; for example, young readers will have no appreciation for how the Jeffersonian Republicans differed from the Federalists. The back of this book includes a list of important dates in his life, several choice examples of excerpts from letters written by Jefferson, and a two-page description of what a Visit to Monticello would have been like when Jefferson lived there. Michael Dooling's illustrations consist of fully textured oil paintings over which the text is printed. Ultimately, the illustrations in this Picture Book Biography take a back seat to the way the text presents the multi-faceted character of the man who might have been the third President, but who wanted on his tombstone inscribed: "Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statue of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia. When young students read over this biography, they will understand why those were the most important things in Jefferson's life.

An excellent book for elementary school children
My second-grader decided to research Thomas Jefferson for a school report. I ordered this book and was quite pleased. It has lots of good information without being wordy. In the back of the book is a two-page spread of quotes from Jefferson, as well as a timeline of his life. The illustrations are beautiful! Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

From his offices in Washington, D.C. and at Monticello, President Thomas Jefferson envisioned the unknown American West and devised an expedition to explore it, one that nearly two hundred years later still ranks as one of the most gripping adventures in our history.

From a modern vantage point, however, it is hard to grasp how little Jefferson and his chosen explorers actually knew about the West. James Ronda makes clear the West imagined by Jefferson and the scientists of his day --one with garden-like plains, low mountains, and easily navigable rivers, bearing the promise of the fabled Northwest Passage to the Pacific. Of course, the terrain encountered by Lewis and Clark was wider, taller, infinitely less navigable, and exponentially more rugged than Jefferson could have imagined.

Using the letters of Jefferson and the journals of Lewis and Clark, Ronda takes readers on a dual journey exploring the drama of the expedition from the perspectives of Jefferson in the East and Lewis and Clark out West. Added to this conflicting scheme is the presence of the Native Americans encountered by Lewis and Clark, whose world and perspective could not be understood in either Jefferson's vision for the trip or in Lewis and Clark's understanding of their voyage. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Good Biography for the Masses
This book has received unwarranted bad reviews and press simply because it is 'short.' Noble E. Cunningham's purpose, it seems, for this biography of Jefferson, was to present the essential life of Jefferson in such a way that all could enjoy. There have been so many biographies written on Jefferson and most are massive multi- volumes which can come across as very daunting to the average reader.

However, this book, while very well researched and authoritative in its content, is a biography which can be read by the average Joe and the scholar alike. Cunningham's research is very well documented, and the book is put together systematically from "The Formative Years" to "The Final Legacy." So, in a brief space, one can read this volume and learn the essential/perennial events which occurred in Jefferson's life. Moreover, Cunningham delves a little into Jefferson's personal affairs, such as his lost first love - Rebecca Burwell, to his admiration for Patrick Henry. Cunningham also details Jefferson's early intellectual influences and his love for law. In fact, in 349 pages of text, the most crucial and important events which occurred, and have been documented, in Jefferson's life are present in this text.

Therefore, Cunningham's attempt in writing this size biography was not to press his reader down in certain detail. Rather, Cunningham attempted to present a Jefferson which could be widely read by most anyone. His efforts are noble and successful on that level.

However, it must be stated that if you are wanting an intricately more detailed work of Jefferson, then this book will only wet your appetite for more. There are other biographies available (massive multi- volumes) for one to delve much deeper. But here, Cunningham just simply lets his reader know some of the most crucial events and facts. That being the case, this is a good book to begin your research and study of Thomas Jefferson.

a fair and brief biography
I am only an undergrad student, so I admit I'm not all that well read. A wealth of literature has been published on Jefferson. There are a great many books carry out in-depth studies on various aspects relating to Jefferson. This book, is, however, a brief account of Jefferson's entire life.on that account,it is obviously a limited book. Even so the dicussion on Jefferson;s two terms as president are too brief. Yet Cunningham's approach to various subjects-the Embargo, for example are fairly good. The book includes a section on jefferson's last years (in the chapter "The Sage Of Monticello)which is brief yet intersting. Overall, the book tries to encompass Jefferson's personal as well as political life in its contents.Thus it compromises with many aspects.Yet it is a fairly good book overall.It is written in lucid style and would be useful to anyone wanting to obtain a bird's eye view of the life and career of Thomas Jefferson.

brief and fairly good
There is no dearth of literature on Thomas Jefferson.there are numerous books that offer detailed studies on various aspects of his life, political theory and his career. This book is obviously a brief account of the life and career of Thomas Jefferson. As such, it compromises on a detailed discussion on any one aspect of Jefferson's life, but this is understandable, given the limited scope of the book. Even so the discussion on Jefferson's presidency is a little too brief. However certain topics-such as the Emabargo, are handled fairly well. overall, this book is usefull to anyone who wishes to obtain a bird's eye view of Jefferson's life.

An average biography (Two and half stars)
This book is a fairly good introduction to Jefferson, although it is rather short for a biography of one of our most intelligent presidents. The book seemed to quickly skim over his life, for example giving only one chapter to each of his presidential terms. The Lewis and Clark expedition is barely mentioned and I would have liked to know everything that led up to that famous journey. His scientific achievements are also only alluded to during the course of the book. Although it is an easily readable book, I came away wanting to know much more and feeling I did not know the man. Compare this to the excellent John Adams: A Life, and this biography falls well short. If you want a short summation of Jefferson, then this book will suffice.

Somewhere between fine and good?
Okay, so let us concede that nobody can write a singly comprehensive book on Thomas Jefferson. Let's also try and find a common ground between revisionists and conservatives. This isn't the place to find either.

However, this book offers a reasonable account of the more significant events in the life of the Sage of Monticello. ... Read more

Book Description

Here Anthony Stevens examines every stage of Jung's personal and professional development to throw light on his theories of the life cycle, dream symbolism, and the collective unconscious. Jung's life experience made him a profound, stimulating, and immensely influential writer on almost every aspect of human behavior; this lucid and penetrating study makes the ideal introduction to his life and ideas. This new edition contains a preface intended as a rebuttal to the recent attacks on Jung made by Noll and McLynn. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

the perfect brief summary of Jung and Jungian theory
The reader is treated to both a concise statement of Carl Gustav Jung's theories of life-stage development and a parallel narrative of Jung's experiences as he moved through each of these stages. Stevens traces the idea of the unconscious from its conception (which he believed to be around 1700) to the earliest investigations by Freud in the 1890s. The split between Freud and Jung (essentially spirituality versus sexuality) is described as having a profoundly shattering effect on Jung, as it had on others ejected from the Freudian camp for their failure to endorse, without question, Freud's theories that all neuroses is based in sexual development. (Two of these ex-Freudians actually committed suicide after being spurned by Freud.) Stevens's unique method of combining a primer of Jung life-stage theory with a biography of Jung is an effective introduction to the man and his work. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the first unauthorized biography of the Rev. JesseJackson.It was first published in 1975 as Jesse Jackson, the man, themyth and the movement. it was updated after jackson's 1984presidentialrace.at its inception the book was viewed as a betrayal as breaking the black codes which usually call for blackauthors to protect rather thanto expose the flaws of black leaders.this book was the first to exposeas myths or lies that jackson was on the balcony of the Memphis lorraine hotel when Dr. King was assassinated as was claimed and that Jackson's programs helped the poor. the book also dealt with his private life,mwhich at the time was ground journalists did not plow. the book, however,rightly predicted that he would rise to unprecendented fame and power. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Truth pressed to earth will rise again
Barbara Reynolds caught hell when she published this book. It was the first to expose several "facts" about the Jesse Jackson myth as false. The assasination story, the growing up in a shack story, the curious finances of Operation Breadbasket and Jackson's personal life were all exposed. Reynolds eventually had to leave Chicago and the book although widely read was rarely mentioned in public.Today Keith Timmerman's book Shakedown is on the bestseller lists. It turns out that Barbarawas right all along. ... Read more