Customer Reviews (1)

~An emotional review of the American Architect~
The creation of an American icon through the eyes of Thomas Jefferson is a true example of history. The diverse concepts and ideas embodied by Jefferson is brilliantly portrayed in the means of emotional involvementand reason. Concepts that have moved a country into war and then togetheris in essence a marvel. ... Read more

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Author of the Declaration of Independence, diplomat in France, leader of the opposition to the Federalists, president of the United States, critical conscience of the country, Thomas Jefferson is the most widely studied, fascinating and genuinely representative founding father of the entire age, a classical liberal 'philosopher-king' that America produced in the birth throes of the republic. Basani surveys Jefferson's views in the two-fold articulation - the rights of man and state's rights that represents the core of all his political ideas. While recent scholarship on the subject tend to portray a union devotee, non-individualistic, anti-property rights Jefferson, with communitarian, if not even proto-socialist undertones, this work will do Jefferson justice. After careful examination of his political theory, the readers will recognize Jefferson as a champion of limited government, natural rights, and antagonism of the states towards interference by federal powers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Intriguing
An intriguing peek to those who want to have one into the political debate over Jefferson's figure. Being a foreign it's even more interesting to get a slice of how these things progressed, even giving an overview of the different sets of mind around politics in the USA through detailedly inspecting the discourse and works of the different political scholars publishing about the 3rd president's political science/philosophy. You can get a taste of the 'natural rights' debate in detail. The author created a thorough work as far as I can tell. The intent to think with the mind-set of the centuries past era is clearly a very good idea, no other way you could understand a long past person's way of thinking. ... Read more

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Thomas Jefferson occupies a special niche in the hagiology of American Founding Fathers. His name is invoked for a staggering range of causes; statists and libertarians, nationalists and States' righters, conservatives and radicals all claim his blessing. In this book, Forrest McDonald examines Jefferson's performance as the nation's leader, evaluating his ability as a policy-maker, administrator, and diplomat.

He delineates, carefully and sympathetically, the Jeffersonian ideology and the agrarian ideal that underlay it; he traces the steps by which the ideology was transformed into a program of action; and he concludes that the interplay between the ideology and the action accounted both for the unparalleled success of Jefferson's first term in office, and for the unmitigated failure of the second term.

Jefferson as president was a man whose ideological commitments prevented him from reversing calamitous policy stances, a man who could be ruthless in suppressing civil rights when it was politically expedient, a man who was rarely, in the conventional sense of the word, a Jeffersonian. McDonald's portrait reveals him to be at once greater, simpler, and more complexly human than the mere "apostle of liberty" or "spokesman for democracy" that his adulators have relegated him to being.

This book is part of the American Presidency Series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Essential Book about the Presidency of Thomas Jefferson
Forest McDonald points out in his Preface that historians write a lot about the ideas and writings of Thomas Jefferson but tend to overlook his 2 terms as President.That is quite unfortunate since it allows these historians to paint a much more favorable picture of Jefferson than he deserves.McDonald's essential book shows Jefferson in a very different light; instead of the idealistic Sage of Monticello and champion of freedom and liberty, McDonald shows us a man who trampled all over the Constitution and Bill of Rights during his second term in office.McDonald does this in a balanced fashion, allowing Jefferson's actions to speak for themselves.

Jefferson's violations included deceiving the American public about his actual foreign policy (by issuing public and private messages to Congress), lying to Congress, approving the arrest of people without warrants and denying them legal counsel or trial by jury in the district where their supposed crimes had been committed, and approving legislation in Congress that gave him the right to violate the 4th and 5th Amendments of the Constitution while trying to enforce his disastrous and ineffective embargo.Two quotes from Jefferson in 1808 paint a pretty clear picture of how far his support for civil liberties had declined: he told his Treasury Secretary, Albert Gallatin, that "Congress must legalize all means which may be necessary to obtain its end" (meaning the enforcement of the embargo) and told one congressman that in emergencies, "the universal resource is a dictator".

Despite all of Jefferson's writings about civil liberties, in the end, he felt compelled to trample all over them to achieve his foreign policy objectives.Ironically, these objectives were guided by his ideology which envisioned an agrarian republic that would be completely independent of any foreign influence or corruption.Jefferson believed that establishing the society he envisioned was the only way to ensure the long-term preservation of liberty in America.The ultimate irony is that he was irrationally willing to violate the rights of his fellow Americans in order to protect the future of these rights.It's actually a very sad story to see the author of the Declaration of Independence and man of so many other accomplishments sink so low by the end of his Presidency.

I think McDonald's book should be essential reading for all Americans, especially our politicians, since it demonstrates so well the dangers of being locked into an ideological frame of mind regardless of the facts and circumstances that face us.McDonald points out that Jefferson could have abandoned his ideology and aligned America with Great Britain toward the end of his Presidency.Doing this would have been in the actual long term political and economic interests of the United States and would have avoided the disastrous War of 1812.But Jefferson was too rigid to give up his intense dislike of England and confront the realities of the situation he faced.

Insightful, Balanced Analysis of Jefferson's Presidency
McDonald analyzes Jefferson's presidency, discussing the early successes in stopping Federalism, as well as the limitations to the changes that Jefferson and the Republicans could achieve.He discusses the failures of his presidency, notably the embargo of all trade, in a fair manner.Finally, he provides an interesting analysis of the motivations and sources of Republican policy and places Jeffersonianism in its historical context in a much clearer way than I have ever read before.

The book is well-written, although perhaps on the short side.It also contains almost nothing about Jefferson's life before or after the presidency--it really is a history of his presidency.

A brilliant example of what history should be
McDonald is not only a great scholar, he is a storyteller without peer.He presents the Jeffersonian presidency in an objective and even-handed manner, highlighting both the successes and the tragic shortcomings of the Jefferson administration.Despite Jefferson's reputation today as a civil libertarian and a champion of liberty, McDonald shows how his heavy-handed tactics and his disregard for the Constitution led to disaster both at home and abroad.Despite ushering in the Republican Revolution of 1800, by 1808 Jefferson had lost control of the party he helped create and found himself at the mercy of John Randolph and his ilk in the House.McDonald never attacks Jefferson, however; he simply tells the rather sad story of a man consistently unable to meet the challenges with which he was faced.Another masterpiece from America's foremost historian.

A reality check on Jefferson the statesman
Due to his primary authorship of the American Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson is widely viewed as a strong civil libertarian. The words of the Declaration and the American constitution speak so strongly about the limitations that government has when dealing with the citizens that they are just as valid over 200 years after they were written.He was also the primary individual around which the fledgling Republican party coalesced. In fact, McDonald commonly refers to the party as the Jeffersonian Republicans.
Less well known is the manner whereby the Jefferson administration callously ignored those rights so clearly stated in those magnificent documents. People were arrested for their political persuasion and he attempted to have Federal judges removed simply because he was unhappy with their Federalist philosophy. This really was a sad time in history, as it was the first case where a president openly interpreted the law as it suited him. In my opinion, the clear statement of these actions of Jefferson while president is what makes this book. Since the Louisiana Purchase was the greatest event in the United States between independence and the war between the states,it tends to overshadow many of the other things that Jefferson did during his presidency.
Jefferson's wholesale destruction of the American military left the country defenseless when it was being drawn into the wars between Napoleonic France and Great Britain. The consequences of these errors were monumental to the new country and his diplomatic mistakes contributed to a senseless conflict between the United States and Great Britain that served no useful purpose and could easily have destroyed the United States. Once again, McDonald is right on the mark in explaining what Jefferson did.
Thomas Jefferson is often held up to mythic proportions as a champion of liberty and as an early statesman. In this volume, he is described as he truly was, a man who professed liberty for all, but practiced it only when it suited him. This is a superb account of what he did while president.

Wonderful History of Jefferson Admin
Forrest McDonald has produced a succinct, penetrating and fascinating history of Thomas Jefferson's Administration.

This book is part of the Univ. of Kansas' history of the presidency series and the second effort from McDonald (he wrote a wonderful history of Washington's Administration).This book is about the policies, international relations, politics and style of America's third chief executive.Running at less than 200 pages, McDonald manages to be both thorough and interesting in his telling of this period.

Jefferson and his Administration produced wonderful contradictions.His party espoused a "Republican" philosophy that basically wanted to liberate Americans from Hamilton's financial system and Adam's heavy handedness as witnessed by the Alien and Sedition Acts.

Jefferson's early term saw him implement much of his program.As McDonald points out, few if any other Presidents have had their way so successfully with Congress.Jefferson also added greatly to the US through the Louisianna Purchase, despite his concerns with the Constitutionality of the aquisition.

Jefferson and his Administration reached rough shoals in foreign affairs.Blinded by anti-British sentiment, the Administration prooved less than adroit at negotiating the position between Napolean and England.America was buffetted by this struggle and it reverberated back on our domestic situation.Suddenly, Jefferson's first term accomplishments became liabilities and were revealed as short sighted.The scheduled reduction of America's debt through the slashing of the Navy budget left us without the ability to challenge foreign powers.The abolition of Hamilton's system of internal revenues that left us entirely dependent upon tarriffs and thereby upon the grace of the British (who had the ability to determine how much trade our country could enjoy)for government revenue.

In the most surprising irony, Jefferson -- who had decried Adams and his anti-liberal legislation (Alien and Sedition Acts) would go much farther than Adams in restricting liberties and in executive arrogance through his Embargo Acts and various executive orders designed to limit trade with the European powers.

This is a fascinating story well told.Besides the policies, McDonald gives insight as to how Jefferson governed, his relations with Congress and the Judiciary as well as the toll of the office on the man himself.A good book. ... Read more

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Presents a biography of Thomas Jefferson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Thomas Jefferson
This book was great! It would make a great teaching contribution for young readers. It has vivid illustrations and is an easy reader. This book briefly discusses Thomas Jefferson's childhood. The majority of the book is on his role in the government. It also describes the chances he took and the struggles he faced. A few of the ideas are somewhat complicated, so the illustrations help because they are easy to read and understand, some of them resembling a comic strip. The book also discusses his role in helping to bring an end to slavery. The book also states that Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. The end of the book is about his expedition. More commonly known as the Lewis and Clark expedition.
A downfall of the book is that it ends ubruptly. There is no discussion about his life after presidency. Also, a few of the illustrations are a bit crude. However, this is a Scholastic book, and proves to be insightful and engaging.
... Read more

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Merrill D. Peterson has gleaned Jefferson's basic ideas on politics and produced a book containing the core of the third president's political thought. From Jefferson's public papers as well as his private letters, Peterson brings together fundamental views that reveal the legacy of Jefferson's republicanism. ... Read more

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ATTN:All Political Candidates -- Please Read This Book
The Political Writings of Thomas Jefferson is a breviary of inspirational reading for people who seek wisdom in public affairs.The 98 Jeffersonian selections included in this volume by Editor Peterson offer a deeper understanding of how America's third President and one of its greatest founding thinkers envisioned the country where all men are created equal with inherent and inalienable rights to life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness.

It was not only the Declaration of Independence to which Jefferson put his pen.The book offers digestible servings of Jefferson's thoughts on the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and much of his work on the Virginia state constitution.It reveals Jeffersonian values on citizenship, religious freedom and education.It enriches readers with scores of excerpts from Jeffersonian correspondence with contemporaries like James Madison, John Adams, James Monroe and the Chiefs of the Cherokee Nation.Important history, the book is pleasant because Jefferson was such a good writer and Peterson is a helpful editor.

The selections are valuable because they explain what Jefferson thought, and why.When he wrote a bill in 1777 for the Virginia Assembly establishing religious freedom, we see his commitment to the separation of church and state."The imperious presumption of legislators and rulers, civic as well as ecclesiastical who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinion and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavoring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world and through all time.

"Almighty God has created the mind free ... and all attempts to influence it ... tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness..."Jefferson drew inspiration from history as well as from his Puritan neighbors to the north.

"Spin" and political disinformation bedeviled Jefferson's world just like they do ours.In a letter dated November 13, 1787 to William S. Smith, Jefferson wrote, "The British ministry have so long hired their gazetteers to repeat and model into every form lies about our being in anarchy, that the world has at length believed them, the English nation has believed them, the ministers themselves have come to believe them and & what is more wonderful, we have believed them ourselves." Jefferson was saddled with his British gazetteers and we struggle with press secretaries, unidentified administration sources and news bunnies.Skepticism was and continues to be in order.

That same day, Jefferson wrote to John Adams, predicting the Constitution needed the 22nd amendment limiting service as President by a single person to two terms that wasn't ratified until 1951.Only Jefferson felt the incumbent should serve only one term."Once in office, and possessing the military force of the union, without either the aid or check of a council, he would not be easily dethroned, even if the people could be induced to withdraw their votes from him.I wish that at the end of the four years they had made him for ever ineligible a second time."

Peterson says Jefferson was less a philosopher and more a statesman as "a servant and a spokesman of American freedom, democracy, enlightenment and nationhood."His was a life of active learning sparked by native intelligence, omnivorous curiosity and relentless industry.Climbing a lifelong mountain of personal reinvention, Jefferson was a student, a lawyer, a legislator, a governor, an ambassador, a secretary of state, a vice president, a president, a farmer, and through all, an eloquent educator.

Jefferson wrote a report in 1818 on behalf of the commissioners of the University of Virginia on "Education and Progress."His optimism is contagious."We should be far, too, from the discouraging persuasion that man is fixed, by the law of his nature, at a given point; that his improvement is a chimera and the hope delusive of rendering ourselves wiser, happier or better than our forefathers were.

"Education ... engrafts a new man on the native stock and improves what in his nature was vicious and perverse into qualities of virtue and social worth..."

In the same essay, Jefferson encourages educators and the wealthy elite - he held distinguished status in both groups - to avoid complacency.Beware, he warns, of those who find "...themselves but too well in their present condition, oppose all advances which might unmask their usurpations and monopolies of honors, wealth and power and fear every change as endangering the comforts they now hold."

Jefferson's political approach is timelessly attractive.Peterson says his "intellectual bent was activist, pragmatic and utilitarian," ever willing to revise his work to meet the challenge of changing historical forces and events.He moved from history to theory, from law to nature, from the particularism of the English tradition to the rationalism and universalism of the Enlightenment.In the truest sense of two words, Jefferson lived with an open mind.His enthusiasm let him believe reason and inquiry can lead men away from whatever is false, twisted or capricious in human affairs toward truths in the nature of things. With an eagle's eye for detail, he knew big ideas often start small.Looking back in his 1821 autobiography, he wrote, "So inscrutable is the arrangement of causes and consequences in this world that a two-penny duty on tea, unjustly imposed in a sequestered part of it, changes the condition of all its inhabitants."

Jefferson was proud of his contribution to the birth of America.Ten days before his death at Monticello on July 4th, 1826, he wrote Roger Weightman of his "delight" that his fellow citizens, "after half a century of experience and prosperity, continue to approve the choice we made (between submission and the sword).

"May it be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all), the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves and to assume the blessing and security of self-government.

"That form which we have substituted restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion...

"For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights and an undiminished devotion to them..." ... Read more

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One of America's great political idealists, Jefferson played the key role in writing the world-shaking Declaration of Independence and in establishing America's democratic form of government. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One of My Child's Favorite Books. Jefferson is Fascinating
This book is one of my nine-year-old's favorite books out of a huge book collection. Thomas Jefferson was a fascinating person and a great role model for learning. He was a scientist, farmer, inventor, writer of the Declaration of Independence, president, governor, diplomat, founder of the University of Virginia, advocate of public education, etc.

This is one of the best children's books we have read. Highly recommended!

Thomas JEfferson and the AMerican Ideal
This book was excellant for a report I did on Jefferson.It is a pretty simple biography, easy to read.It gives basic information on Jefferson, but is not extremely in depth.Still,it was informative and worth reading. ... Read more

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Brilliant Overview of Jefferson's Philosophy
Professor Koch performs a valuable service in this book. She shows how Thomas Jefferson had a coherent philosophy in contrast to those who maintain that he was devoid of one. Koch relates how Jefferson studied religion, republicanism, natural rights, philology, ideology, education, philosophy, etc. She shows how Jefferson had voracious appetite for learning not just what we do, but why. He was a student of Bacon,Locke, and a later follower of De Tracy, Stewart, and Say. Koch shhows Jefferson's belief in human progress and improvability were cornerstones of Jefferson's belief system. Overall a wonderful book.

Scholarly Review of Jefferson's Philosophy
This is a scholarly and well-documented look at the contents and sources of Jefferson's beliefs in Deism, natural law, teachings of Jesus, and Stoic and Epicurean philosophy. Notable topics include: (1) Koch disputing noted Jefferson scholar Gilbert Chinard's claim that Jefferson turned from the Stoics to Epicurus by arguing that the two philosophies are not incompatible. (2) Jefferson's belief that morality lay in the motives and intentions behind actions: "how" and "why" something done is being as important as "what" is done. Koch claims this is why he turned from ancient philosophers to moral teachings of Jesus. (3) Jefferson's belief in the innate moral sense: where he acquired the belief, how he extended it by adding the pursuit of happiness, and what he thought was the best expression of the moral sense. (4) How Jefferson derived his ideas about natural rights from the moral sense theory of Lord Kames and how he applied it in political philosophy to develop ideas about political rights and majority rule. (5) Sources of Jefferson's Deism and an evaluation of whether his views were closest to the English or the French Deists. ... Read more

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When Thomas Jefferson was young, Virginia was still a colony of England. Jefferson thought that many English laws and taxes were unfair, so he studied hard to become a lawyer and help make better laws. Soon he and others came to believe that the colonies should become a new country, and Jefferson was chosen to write the Declaration of Independence. As the third president of the United States, he focused on exploring the country and making it grow. His fairness and love of learning made him one of the most beloved presidents of all time.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great little book
Being a foreigner, I am still learning American history and a good friend of mine advised me to get children's books as they are easier to read and get the basics from.

I picked up this little nugget today at a used bookstore, and had my nine-year old start reading it to me on the way home. As much as she protested at the start, she is now enjoying the book, and when I read a couple of chapters to her before bed, she said "That's all?" I think she likes it now. :-)

This book tells the basic story of the various periods of Thomas Jefferson's life and times and is a wonderful introduction to him.

Get hooked...
This book, and the others in the series, jumpstarted my love of reading back in the 70's. I now have children of my own and have had difficulty getting my youngest son to complete his reading assignments. He literally hated to read until he found this book - a long lost relic - at his grandmother's.He loved it! I have since purchased several others of the 'Meet x' series and each one is greeted with an eager smile. A well written, easily read book that captures the imagination. You won't be disappointed.

Easy-to-read history book
This is a great book for older remedial students as well as grades 1-4. The primary facts are here with some illustrations. The text is simple and easily understood.

Not What I Was Looking For
This book was not what I was looking for. My teacher assigned us a Biography/Autobiography book report (like every month), and I checked this book out in the library. Yeah, maybe its ok for 4-8 year olds, this book is really boring for children like me. This book had stuff I already knew about, and I didn't learn anything. It was really boring and had no interesting facts. So, if you are looking for a book with a detailed scope about Thomas Jefferson, read another book. ... Read more

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"[A] vigorous critique of separationist dogmas"
—Christianity Today

"Now we know when secularists refer to Jefferson's "wall," they're speaking from ignorance.In short, they are advocating Black's wall
—a wall of imprisonment and censorship, not Jefferson's, which was a wall of protection."
—Citizen

"Thomas Jefferson and the Wall of Separation Between Church and State offers an in-depth examination of the origins, controversial uses, and competing interpretations of this powerful metaphor in law and public policy"
—American Vision

"Daniel L. Driesbach's Thomas Jefferson and the Wall of Separation Between Church and Stateprovides important historical analysis."
—World

"Daniel Dreisbach, a professor at American University, has now written a valuable history of the "wall of separation" metaphor...[a] superb book."
—Claremont Review of Books

"[This] book clearly explains that the purpose of the First Amendment's "establishment" clause was to leave teh indeividual states free to decide for themselves how to integrate religion with government."
—Chronicles

No phrase in American letters has had a more profound influence on church-state law, policy, and discourse than Thomas Jefferson's "wall of separation between church and state," and few metaphors have provoked more passionate debate.Introduced in an 1802 letter to the Danbury, Connecticut Baptist Association, Jefferson's "wall" is accepted by many Americans as a concise description of the U.S. Constitution's church-state arrangement and conceived as a virtual rule of constitutional law.

Despite the enormous influence of the "wall" metaphor, almost no scholarship has investigated the text of the Danbury letter, the context in which it was written, or Jefferson's understanding of his famous phrase.Thomas Jefferson and the Wall of Separation Between Church and State offers an in-depth examination of the origins, controversial uses, and competing interpretations of this powerful metaphor in law and public policy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Excellent
This book provides an insight into the Founding Father's thoughts and beliefs.It provides context to quotes that are often misapplied; in order, to support a personal agenda.It is very well written and researched.It is a must read for any person wanting to understand the concept of "Separation of Church and State."

The 'wall' metaphor - Its origin, historical context, and contemporary usage
Dreisbach offers a fascinating analysis of the much debated 'wall' metaphor as it relates to the 'Separation of Church and State.' He skillfully traces how a metaphor has become a defining feature of constitutional jurisprudence, greatly influencing church state relations, political philosophy, and American law. He calmly recommends a reappraisal of Jefferson's metaphor.

Even a strict separationist would benefit from his careful and well-documented study.

It's only 100 pages
It's good.Just expect for half the book to be sources.If you really like the subject matter, check out the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Church-State Studies offered by Baylor University.

One of the Most Valuable Books You'll Ever Read!
I believe Daniel Dreisbach, assistant professor in the Department of Justice, Law and Society at American University, is perhaps the single most underrated American historian today. Though this book, THOMAS JEFFERSON AND THE WALL OF SEPARATION BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE is far from Dreisbach's best work, it still deserves "must read" status for every American. Of course, in this book, we can expect strict separationists to ridicule Dreisbach's conclusions because, Dreisbach, as always, presents the facts and the facts just don't seem to mesh up or matter much to strict separationists.
For Dreisbach's best work, check out "Real Threat and Mere Shadow" though it is somewhat difficult to find as Amazon has misspelled Dreisbach's name. Search Amazon under the name Daniel DrIEsbach for that one.

Whatever name he is listed under, Dreisbach never fails to put forth superb work. This book is no exception. Dreisbach has written several pieces on Jefferson's "Wall" metaphor, and this book appears as the apex of that work. As with his other work, the findings are based solely on the facts as you will not find editorialism in any of his works. He simply presents the facts and allows them to speak for themselves.

Here, Jefferson's wall of separation metaphor is examined thoroughly, first with the rendering of the Jefferson letter to the Danbury Baptists, as well as what exactly Jefferson was intending to address in his letter. The DB letter writers primary concern revolved around the Congregationalists Church, which was the "established" church of Massachusetts. Having an established church not only limited the power of the Baptists, but hobbled it. They were not even allowed to officiate their own children's weddings!

In the midst of his findings, Dreisbach also makes a strong presentation of the founder's original intent of state's rights. Of course, the Fourteenth Amendment totally obliterated any semblance of state's rights, but that's another topic for another day.My point here is, Jefferson, and virtually everyone else agreed, it was perfectly legal for state's to "establish" a church. That being the case, it must surely be legal for a local school board to allow for school prayer, wouldn't one think? Again, I digress, another topic for another day.

After clearly defining that the First Amendment applies to CONGRESS ONLY, Dreisbach then moves on to present prior derivate uses of the wall metaphor and the context in which they were used. James Burgh is identified as the likely source of Jefferson's use of the metaphor. As the author points out, "Burgh brought to his writings a dissenter's zeal for religious tolerance and a distrust of ESTABLISHED churches." Further bolstering of the fact that the First Amendment forbids ESTABLISHMENT OF, not separation from.

The book concludes with how the metaphor has been contorted to have agenda driven meaning. I must also add this astute question posed on page 106, "Is it appropriate, as a matter of constitutional interpretation and law, for a metaphor from a presidential message to supplement or supplant constitutional text?" Of course, separationists will argue, yes, but to display that absurdity, ask them this - Jefferson also wrote that homosexual deviants should be castrated - should that become a matter of constitutional interpretation and law as well?Watch the separationist's back peddle!

This is another extraordinary work from Dreisbach, critical to all Americans for the true delineation of a widely misused metaphor; it's agenda driven evolution, and it's misuse in our law and erosion of a basic right as defined in the Bill of Rights.

Monty Rainey
[...]

Excellent source
Found this book to be an excellent source in understanding this issue.Very helpful in understanding Jefferson's use of the "Wall of Separation" and the various ways this can be understood. ... Read more

Product Description

Throughout his life, Thomas Jefferson constructed a seemingly impenetrable wall between his public legacy and his private life, a division maintained by his family and the several traditional biographies written about this founding father. Now Virginia Scharff breaks down the barrier between Jefferson's public and private histories to offer an intriguing new portrait of this complicated and influential figure, as seen through the lives of a remarkable group of women.

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Filled with archival photographs and amazing fact boxes, DK Biography is a groundbreaking series that introduces young readers to some of history's most interesting and influential characters.



From his childhood in Virginia to his two terms as President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson tells the story of the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

great for younger readers!!!
I love DK publishers. This is a gloss over, but great for younger readers or as a bathroom book.
-jt

great series
I love this DK series.. I originally bought them for my 10 year old daughter, but found that they were a bit much for her to read on her own, but we love to read them as a family.The adults have learned just as much as the child, and we love the real photos and explanations.The only downside, is that sometimes things are written out of order.. so following the time line can be a bit of a challenge. ... Read more

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The first book to include Thomas Jefferson’s writings and writings about him—from his era and ours.This Norton Critical Edition seeks to give readers a full understanding of Thomas Jefferson’s importance to the intellectual development of the United States, particularly in political theory and scientific learning; of Jefferson’s role in the expansion of the territory and sovereignty of the United States; and of Jefferson’s controversial relation to slavery and race as key issues in American history.

The editor has selected Jefferson’s most important published texts—A Summary View of the Rights of British America, the Declaration of Independence, and Notes on the State of Virginia—along with An Appendix to the Notes on Virginia Relative to the Murder of Logan’s Family and his Message to Congress on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In addition, more than one hundred of Jefferson’s letters (1760–1826) have been judiciously selected from his rich body of correspondence, allowing readers to see Jefferson as a person as well as a public figure. All texts are accompanied by detailed explanatory annotations.

“Contexts” reprints contemporary documents that place Jefferson and his writings within the early American Republic, including works by Thomas Paine, John Adams, François-Jean de Beauvoir, and Luther Martin. Also included are diverse and early responses to Jefferson and his writings by, among others, John Quincy Adams, William Cullen Bryant, Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

"Criticism" provides representative works of modern interpretation and analysis that confirm Jefferson's continuing relevance. Included are twelve thought-provoking assessments from several disciplinary perspectives by, among others, Annette Gordon Reed, Peter Onuf, and Douglas L. Wilson.

A Selected Bibliography is also included. ... Read more

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My father's education had been quite neglected; but being of a strong mind, sound judgment and eager after information, he read much and improved himself insomuch that he was chosen with Joshua Fry professor of Mathem. in W. & M. college to continue the boundary line between Virginia & N. Caroline which had been begun by Colo Byrd, and was afterwards employed with the same Mr. Fry to make the 1st map of Virginia which had ever been made, that of Capt Smith being merely a conjectural sketch. They possessed excellent materials for so much of the country as is below the blue ridge; little being then known beyond that ridge. He was the 3d or 4th settler of the part of the country in which I live, which was about 1737. He died Aug. 17. 1757, leaving my mother a widow who lived till 1776, with 6 daurs & 2. sons, myself the elder. To my younger brother he left his estate on James river called Snowden after the supposed birth-place of the family. To myself the lands on which I was born & live. He placed me at the English school at 5. years of age and at the Latin at 9. where I continued until his death. My teacher Mr. Douglas a clergyman from Scotland was but a superficial Latinist, less instructed in Greek, but with the rudiments of these languages he taught me French, and on the death of my father I went to the revd Mr. Maury a correct classical scholar, with whom I continued two years, and then went to Wm. and Mary college, to wit in the spring of 1760, where I continued 2. years. It was my great good fortune, and what probably fixed the destinies of my life that Dr. Wm. Small of Scotland was then professor of Mathematics, a man profound in most of the useful branches of science, with a happy talent of communication, correct and gentlemanly manners, & an enlarged & liberal mind. He, most happily for me, became soon attached to me & made me his daily companion when not engaged in the school; and from his conversation I got my first views of the expansion of science & of the system of things in which we are placed. Fortunately the Philosophical chair became vacant soon after my arrival at college, and he was appointed to fill it per interim: and he was the first who ever gave in that college regular lectures in Ethics, Rhetoric & Belles lettres. He returned to Europe in 1762, having previously filled up the measure of his goodness to me, by procuring for me, from his most intimate friend G. Wythe, a reception as a student of law, under his direction, and introduced me to the acquaintance and familiar table of Governor Fauquier, the ablest man who had ever filled that office. With him, and at his table, Dr. Small & Mr. Wythe, his amici omnium horarum, & myself, formed a partie quarree, & to the habitual conversations on these occasions I owed much instruction. Mr. Wythe continued to be my faithful and beloved Mentor in youth, and my most affectionate friend through life. In 1767, he led me into the practice of the law at the bar of the General court, at which I continued until the revolution shut up the courts of justice. [For a sketch of the life & character of Mr. Wythe see my letter of Aug. 31. 20. to Mr. John Saunderson]

Download Autobiography Now! ... Read more

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The "Culture Wars" have produced a lot of talk about religion, morals, and values, with both sides often hearkening back to our Founding Fathers. Here is your chance to learn firsthand what two of the most influential pillars of the American Republic thought about these perennial topics. From 1812 to July 4, 1826—when ironically death claimed both men—Thomas Jefferson and John Adams exchanged letters touching on these still controversial issues.

These little-known letters contain many surprising revelations. In the 1800 presidential election, in which the Republican Jefferson opposed the Federalist Adams, religion was a topic of hot debate, as reflected in this correspondence written many years after. What was it about Jefferson’s religious beliefs that provoked such vitriol against him in the campaign? And what was there in Adam’s theology that prompted certain Calvinists to label him "no Christian"? Though they expressed different opinions, Jefferson and Adams agreed on what they called the "corruptions of Christianity." Despite their criticisms and their critics, both men considered themselves Christians, in different senses of the term.

Hearing these champions of liberty and freedom of religion speak out frankly on church and state, the Bible, Jesus, Christianity, morality, and virtue, modern readers may well ask themselves whether either of these Founding Fathers could today be elected president. Editor Bruce Braden has done us all a service by collecting this revealing and intimate historical correspondence on topics that continue to stir emotions and debate in the 21st century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

John Adams
This was a gift and the recipient was thrilled to have this to add to his library.It arrived almost immediately!So glad I ordered it.

Early religous discussion among the founding fathers
There's lots of talk about religion and politics and separations of church and state: here's what two of the leaders of the early American Republic thought about religion and politics and their affect on American life in "YE WILL SAY I AM NO CHRISTIAN": THE THOMAS JEFFERSON/JOHN ADAMS CORRESPONDENCE ON RELIGION, MORALS AND VALUES. Granted, it's a specialty item which will probably receive its best audience in advanced high school to college-level holdings; but the letters between the two greats offer frank assessments of church, liberty and freedom of religion and should not be missed by any serious reader of American history or political science.
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The publication of DNA test results showing that Thomas Jefferson was probably the father of his slave Sally Hemings's children has sparked a broad but often superficial debate. The editors of this volume have assembled some of the most distinguished American historians, including three Pulitzer Prize winners, and other experts on Jefferson, his times, race, and slavery. Their essays reflect the deeper questions the relationship between Hemings and Jefferson has raised about American history and national culture.

The DNA tests would not have been conducted had there not already been strong historical evidence for the possibility of a relationship. As historians from Winthrop D. Jordan to Annette Gordon-Reed have argued, much more is at stake in this liaison than the mere question of paternity: historians must ask themselves if they are prepared to accept the full implications of our complicated racial history, a history powerfully shaped by the institution of slavery and by sex across the color line.

How, for example, does it change our understanding of American history to place Thomas Jefferson in his social context as a plantation owner who fathered white and black families both? What happens when we shift our focus from Jefferson and his white family to Sally Hemings and her children? How do we understand interracial sexual relationships in the early republic and in our own time? Can a renewed exploration of the contradiction between Jefferson's life as a slaveholder and his libertarian views yield a clearer understanding of the great political principles he articulated so eloquently and that Americans cherish?Are there moral or political lessons to be learned from the lives of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings and the way that historians and the public have attempted to explain their liaison?

Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson: History, Memory, and Civic Culture promises an open-ended discussion on the living legacy of slavery and race relations in our national culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

DNA THIS FAR REMOVED (200 YRS) DOES NOT PROVE ANYTHING
THIS BOOK IS ON THE BAND WAGON OF "I WANT MY REPARATIONS." OTHER SOURCES CITE THAT A RELATIVE OF THOMAS JEFFERSON (PERHAPS UNCLE) WAS THE LIKELY FATHER.YOU CANNOT DO A DNA TEST 200 YRS LATER ON A DISTANT RELATIVE OF HEMMINGS, AND CONCLUDE POSITIVELY ANYTHING.AVOID THE BOOK AND THE JUICY GOSSIPY NATURE OF PUBLICATIONS LIKE THESE.ONCE INUENDO IS MADE PUBLIC THERE IS AN AUTOMATIC ASSUMPTION THAT IT WAS SOME KIND OF 'HIDDEN SECRET.'

Don't listen to Herbert Barger
If Herbert Barger gives this book a negative rating then that means it's good.Herbert has a dog in the fight, as his wife is one of the white Jefferson descendants denying the whole Sally Hemmings thing, regardless of DNA evidence.

This book is a good narrative of the controversy and I recommend it.

Black oral histories
Black oral family histories were painstakingly recollected andpassed down from generation to generation.The only possessions black families were allowed to possess were their memories- powerful and precious they were,and accurate as well.It is a tragedy that the descendants of Sally Hemmings are criticized for bringing forth what they already knew to be truth.To quibble over the fact that Jefferson's brother carried similar DNA misses this book's point entirely-Hemming's children had been told who their father was.Her descendants knew!The DNA evidence confirmed it.The central message of this book is not about the biological evidence,however.It is about the psychological and cultural issues that cause us to react in extreme ways(anger, fear, disbelief)to complex racial issues, particulary those regarding sexuality.In this respect the book is outstanding.It causes each of us to examine our personal and cultural viewpoints from both black and white perspectives. Americans of all races will benefit from reading this book.

Let us Bury Thomas Jefferson with Unsubstantiated, Unproven Writing
I was present at this open house discussion that this book is based upon because as Assistant to Dr. E. A. Foster, I had requested to be present and was invited by Professor Peter Onuf, one of the authors of this book. Upon arrival I was denied a seat on the panel and told to seat myself in the audience and if I wished to say anything that the "open mike" at the end of the discussion was my conduit. I was immediately opposing this august panel's findings as it applied to the actual DNA findings. In my opinion it was a seemingly overwhelming desire to have the prevailing combined force that DNA had proven Thomas Jefferson guilty of fathering slave children. This book conveys this image for the reader. Many, many statements in this book are absolutely inaccurate and have not been proven by DNA.

The very first page has a Jefferson-Hemings Family Tree that isoutrageous in that it portrays Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings as being the parents of Madison and Eston Hemings (absolutely unproven). A note states that Eston Hemings is "almost" certainthe son of Thomas Jefferson. Are these "authorities" educators or soothsayers?) The notes further state that descendants of Madison Hemings were not tested. This is true, HOWEVER, after deep research I found a deceased son of Madison and suggested to Dr. Foster, the Hemings, Dr. Daniel Jordan, Monticello President, and others that the DNA of William Hemings be tested adainst the Jefferson DNA and also against Eston Hemings DNA. ALL have refused to move forward to test this valuable science......WHY?

Later they suggest that some sort of long term relationship existed between Jefferson and Hemings. How can this otherwise learned group make such an obvious incorrect assertation? This shows their lack of details of the long running controversy. The long believed, by some for obvious reasons , theory that Jefferson fathered Tom (Hemings) Woodson was completely obliteraterd by the DNA test......No Jefferson/Woodson match, thus James Callender was proven a liar. Not only that, it was almost 6 years after Sally returned to Monticello that she had a first recorded child, Harriet I.

An assumption is made that if Jefferson wasn't guilty then some other white man on the plantation was and the Carr brothers are mentioned. This again provides evidence of the very limited knowledge that the authors have of the DNA subject. Thomas Jefferson inherited a mullato named Sandy from his father, Peter. It is not too far removed to see that this man, possibly having Jefferson DNA and sandy or reddish hair, could have fathered "yellow people", as referenced by story tellers. These male offspring, having the Jefferson DNA and physical traits, could have fathered Eston Hemings the ONLY Hemings tested. The original Dr. Foster plan was to "prove or disprove" the Carr brothers implication in this slave parentage. Because Dr. Foster had not given Nature Journal the valuable family genealogy that I had given him, when there was no Carr match with any other of those tested, THEN Nature Journal in the absence of being aware of any other Jefferson, "assumed" and wrote a false and definitive headline that it was Jefferson, yes, just "SOME" Jefferson....but not necessarily Thomas.

It is stated that Jan Lewis, one of the authors, "analyzed" that Jefferson was evading the truth by not denying the rumors. Jefferson DID write his Secretary of the Treasury, Levi Lincoln and Secretary of the Navy Robert Smith that he did admit to seeing a married lady friend when he was young and unmarried BUT that was the only rumor about him that he would admit to and denied the others. Jan lewis is also very anilitical in stating that the white Jeffersons told lies in that they said the Carr brothers implicated themselves as fathers, however DNA told otherwise. It must be remembered that ONLY ONE of Sally's children's DNA was tested. Since the Hemings refuse to test William Hemings (son of Madison), how are we to know that Madison is not one of those referenced by the Carr brothers or one of the others. Annette Gordon-Reed says that Jefferson must be the doting father, described by daughter, Martha, and not the indifferent one described by his son(what proof), Madison. I have no faith at all in what Madison is supposed to have said in the Pike Co., Ohio article. Who could believe that tale about Dolley Madison being present at Monticello when he was born on January 19, 1805.She was acting as Mr. Jefferson's Hostess and her husband, James Madison was Secretary of State. Are we to believe that she suddenly announces to these two that she has heard that a male slave is to be born at Monticello and she must be present to name him for her husband, James Madison. Never mind that predicting the sex of a child is a fairly late feat. Leaving both men in Washington she heads out in the cold, muddy and frozen roads over rivers and creeks and uphill to Monticello. Never mind also that Monticello was closed and under constuction most of the time when Jefferson was away. The Madison Papers indicate that the Madisons NEVER visited Virginia during the winter from Washington. This book places much glory upon this Pike Co., Ohio article written by Samuel Wetmore, from an abolitionist family.

As for Annette Gordon-Reed......she now states in later versions of her book that DNA does not prove that Jefferson fathered the descendanmt of Eston Hemings. She was also taken to task by the blue ribbon panel of 13 senior scholars known as the Scholars Commission ([...]),for taking and rearranging words and complete meaning of a letter from Ellen Randolph Coolidge (Thomas Jefferson's granddaughter),to a family member.

This book cites Dr. Foster's statement that the DNA evidence "neither definitely excludes nor solely impliocates" Jefferson in the paternity of Sally Hemings' children. He has stated this in e-mails to me, in Nature Journal (January 7, 1999), the New York Times article of early 1999 and in other publications. Then HOW and WHY do non-DNA literate "authorities" come rushing forward to assume that since Jefferson owned slaves he "MUST" now to have been found to share Jefferson DNA with a slave descendant. DNA does not honor given names. There are many too many other citations that try to prove anything to substantiate their claims. If the group of contributors to this book wish to do something constructive let them pursue the DNA of another male Hemings, William, and also read what the Scholars Commission Report says. Why don't they challenge those from "the other side of research" to a nationally broadcast debate? So far none of them have come forward for this.

I recommend reading this book to at least learn how a group of people can sway the minds of some people by ignoring the research of the other side. Let us hear BOTH sides of any question.

May I please ask readers to order the new book, "Jefferson Vindicated" with a forward by the distinguished past Director of Monticello. Ordering information may be secured from the cited web pages.

I recognized most of the well recognized names on this panel and knew they were authorities on the slavery issue. Other than Dr. Eugene Foster, none of them knew any of the "nuts and bolts" of the DNA Study that I had participated in advising Dr. Foster in family genealogy andhistory and securing sources for DNA study.

Herbert Barger
Jefferson Family Historian
Assistant to Dr. E.A. Foster

A compilation of critical essays
The problem with books about history is that they are almost always an interpretation: the author's. At best the author is willing to share the conflicting evidence with his reader, at worst the author omits it andpretends it doesn't even exist. But even the most faithful author can't puteverything in a book so a selection has to be made. That's why the criticalreader ends up reading a lot of books about the same subject. To be able tograsp most of the material, evidence and theories that are circulating.That way he/she is able to form his/her own opinion about an issue.But ifthe issue is Thomas Jefferson & Sally Hemings the reader will likelyend up digging through tons of material and will still be very confused andvery indecisive. Until recently one of the only books on the topic worthreading wasAnette Gordon-Reed's "Thomas Jefferson and Sally Heming: AnAmerican Controversy". Because of it's painstakingly revealing of themistakes, omissions and lies that previous writers had committed and forit's refusal to take a final stand.

This book however was written afterthe 1999 DNA tests that revealed that Thomas Jefferson very likely fatheredSally's last child Eston. And that he didn't father Thomas C. Woodson. Butone has to keep in mind that the recent testing still don't proveJefferson's paternity exclusively. Another male relative from the Jeffersonline could have fathered Sally's last child, since they share the same Ychromosome. The book offers a number of refreshing essays written byscholars. Each one of them looks at the relationship from his/her ownfield. Trying to describe and explain what this new evidence means tothemselves and their previous writings and views on TJ. Sometimesdescribing how they fell into the trap that so many historians fell intowhen dealing with TJ. They also try to describe the way the American mindthought about TJ and how this new evidence will influence peoples views andopinions.

The strength of the book is that it has been written after therevealing DNA tests. It also presents a lot of authors, each with his/herspecific knowledge, views and convictions. Rather than just one author. Butthe really weak point is that the book fails to give a clear outline andexplanation of the recent DNA test. That's the chapter that it should havestarted with. Since that test is the core, the very foundation upon whichall these "revisionist" writings build. And also because a test like thisneeds explanation: not everyone is familiar with cellular biology and whatit really means. ... Read more

Product Description
Mapp offers a graceful, admiring assessment of the great democrat as President and as the aged but still intellectually vital ``Sage of Monticello.''Stepping down at the end of his second term in 1809, Jefferson battled debt, legal and family problems, and physical deterioration to shepherd the Univ. of Virginia from an innovative educational concept into actual physical existence--``one of the great triumphs of the human spirit,'' according to Mapp. An engrossing biography that pays full tribute to Jefferson's personal genius and politics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One of best Jefferson bios written, up there w/Malone, Peterson, etc.
I'd give this 4.5 stars, but I'm rounding up to 5 because Jefferson is a hard bio subject, if not one of the hardest, he nailed him, and my minor beefs are with writing style.

Two book series.Prefer single book, but better than Malone encyclopedia set, which is too long for average person to read.

The good: Mapp gets Jefferson right, a staggering achievement one can only appreciate if you've read Jefferson's writings AND the appalling number of books that get him wrong. He isn't nearly as paradoxical (though still very much so) as historians like to pretend, and Mapp shows why, using logic that you would think other historians would have embraced.I think Mapp stepped out of a box filled with academics that overcomplicate things unintentionally, and just applied some good old fashioned horse sense & human nature to understanding TJ. The result is conclusions that you read and say, it makes sense, and seems obvious--why aren't most other historians coming to similar conclusions. The answer, bias, is enunciated below. Mapp isn't a documented liar, like Ellis, doesn't appear to have an agenda or predisposition, either to kick the Jefferson pedestal over or make excuses for obvious hypocrisies, like most historians. No obvious liberal bias(big government had to happen Jefferson a Utopian idealist), or anti-slavery bias (he owned slaves so everything else good he stood for must be denigrated), or libertarian bias (he stood for individual freedom, so every failing must be masked or obfuscated). As obvious as this sounds, it is rare to read books that aren't axe grinding these days. Jefferson takes his lumps where he deserves them, but still emerges as great, in ways that are highly relevant today.

The bad: Too longwinded, some big words (no problem here, but others complained), often times uses too many metaphors and flowery phrases instead of writing in direct style. But at least he doesn't use the same 4-6 pet words every third page like Ellis. Long-winded is all relative in history & non-fiction, this is still readable, but some serious editing that reduced length 10% or so would have allowed all the points in a much more readable book. Another part of me wishes he had pruned down to a modest single book, hitting only most fundamental points, but Jefferson did too much to write a small, single book w/out omitting and writing something not comprehensive enough.

Not sure which Jefferson series is the greatest, but this deserves a hallowed place with Malone, Peterson, etc.I think this will age well, as it updates scholarship not present in older Malone & Peterson books, but has avoided the Jefferson bashing. Jefferson bashing is trendy now, but will seem extreme over time when the pendulum has returned back to center, and this will ultimately diminish many works now thought of highly.

It is a shame lesser books by bigger names crowd the market, leaving less room for a book like this that should be a household fixture.

Thomas Jefferson:Pasionate Pilgram
This book is the second of two of a series written by Alf Mapp involving Thomas Jefferson, now older and it starts with Jefferson's Presidency through his death.From 1801 to 1826 the United States was just beginning to form as a nation...grown to twice its size and the ensuing troubles with all factions wanting something...how was Jefferson to choose?

Meriweather Lewis and William Clark reporting back about this expansionism of the Louisana Purchase and the marvels that it brought the country. Excellent writing about how these and other issues that plagued Jefferson.Abhorred or adored Jefferson was a dichotomy personified.

This book reveals to us better than others how Jefferson struggled to keep his ideas and ideals, his personal and public persona, his view of the United States and the World, for the betterment of mankind as a whole, in line with the events of the day.

Reading this book gave me an insight into a world of Jefferson and the interaction of some of the others as James Madison, James Monroe and John Marshall.As I read these...I wished I had a teacher who made reading U.S. History as alive as the author.It makes a difference to a subject such as this to keep ones interest...not disappointed here.

Capitvation and fasination as we read on about the troubling times of Jefferson in the last years of his life.How he founded the University of Virginia and fought his final battle with his health.

Alf J. Mapp, Jr. makes Jefferson alive and that makes history fun not to mention educational.

Enlightening, informative, and alive are good traits brought to us by the author that are hard to come by when reading history.
I recommed reading this book if you really want to get to know Jefferson from his Presidency to his death.

Read it and enjoy good writing. ... Read more

Product Description

Thomas Jefferson was a prolific letter writer; it has been estimated that he wrote and received as many as fifty thousand letters. The letters here are not limited strictly to family matters but deal with local events in Paris, Philadelphia, New York, Washington, and Albemarle County, Virginia, or wherever the correspondents happened to be.

Customer Reviews (1)

A good book, but hard to recommend it.
Next to journal reading, a compilation of personal letters is a good way to really get to know someone.This book is a collection of letters exchanged between Thomas Jefferson and his children & grandchildren over a long period of time.The book starts when the kids are young and he is away on his government duties. We find that times really hasn't changed that much as Jefferson constantly nags them to write him letters. As the kids grow older, they become much more prolific writers. The book becomes most interesting whenever the grandchildren mature and begin to write him during his presidency.In these letters, he shares tips and philosophy on life, economics, and general principles- even though we know he may not have put all of these into practice himself.

My rating reflects the disappointment that the editors failed to structure the book in a way that fills in the blanks for the reader.As an example, the death of his daughter only triggers a footnote to one of the letters since the event caused a lapse in letter writing between the family during his return visit to Monticello.To find out what had happened, I had to consult other material.This book could be greatly improved if a revised edition would include dialog that would explain the events mentioned in the letters.

In spite of this, you will like this book if you are a follower of Thomas Jefferson.This shouldn't be your first book or even your second volume on Jefferson, but if you are well versed on the history of this important man- then you will find much enjoyment within the pages. ... Read more

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Table of Contents:

Customer Reviews (2)

Five-star effort
Works of Thomas Jefferson: The Jefferson Bible, Autobiography,Inaugural Addresses, State of the Union Addresses, Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, ... Published by MobileReference (mobi)

Thomas Jefferson didn't necessarily believe in miracles. But he certainly believed in morals, ethics, and character. I enjoyed Jefferson Bible very much. But, it's only half the story. The other half involves Jefferson's values from the secular point of view. They perfectly compliment Jefferson Bible. This ebook is well presented and certainly well worth reading.

Thomas Jefferson
Works of Thomas Jefferson. Including The Jefferson Bible, Autobiography and The Writings of Thomas Jefferson (Illustrated), with Notes on Virginia, Parliamentary ... more.Published by MobileReference (mobi)

An excellent collection of works of Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence and a man of astonishing achievements. ... Read more

Product Description
This offering, written by a historian who has a son withAsperger's Syndrome, examines Thomas Jefferson, one of the UnitedStates' most brilliant Presidents and his many behaviors that matchthe Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis. The book gives fascinating insightinto Jefferson as well as documenting the multiple factors thatcontribute to this diagnosis. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

one of the best books on Asperger's!
This book is certainly 1 of the few positive and aspiring BOOKS ON THETOPIC and it's publisher is the leader in books for this topic. This book if the topic was more known and popular would definantly be a bestseller! This book isn't to hard to understand but I wouldn't give it to a young child. I think it would bore them/be to advanced writing and some of the concepts. However, telling them stuff from it maybe very helpful in your own words! I'm Dyslexic too and so reading comprehension is hard for me too but, I didn't unlike ussually need a thesaurus or dictionary sitting besides me while reading this.This book is far better then the Positive Aspergers Role model book. But, if you want a cut and dry guide to diagnose someone with Asperger's this isn't the book for you. I guess part of what I didn't like was that TEMPLE GRANDID contributed to the book. I love her and her famous bestselling book THINKING IN PICTURES (WHICH BUY THE WAY IS GRT AT HELPING YOU TO DISTINGISH THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM AND aSPERGER'S but; she isn't an Asperger individual. AnD high functioning AUTISM WHICH IS WHAT SHE HAS ISN'T THE SAME.SO, THEY SHOULD HAVE USED SOMEONE ASPIRING TODAY WITH ASPERGER'S TO WRITE HER SECTION. HER COMMENTS DON'T BELONG HERE.

This book offers hope and insight!
Thank you so much for this book!!I am a parent of a child not yet diagnosed.I found this book very enlightening in regards to my son.Although we may never know for sure if these famous people would have been diagnosed as such today, it does give insight and hope.Insight into their thinking processes and hope for their educational aspirations.It was encouraging to me to know that "famous" people are effected, too.Although it cannot be cured, it can be overcome and life goals can be reached.

Bernstein "academic jealousy?"
Mr. Bernstein, if you hadn't personalized your review so much, I think some of your arguments would be more credible.However, attacking the author in such a personal way is a bore.As someone with a full blown DSM IV diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome,I would suggest that you also may be on the spectrum based on your 20 year obsession with all things Jefferson.

Why I continue to stand MY ground -- review by Norm Ledgin
To judge this book properly, it helps to consider the impact it has made on people's lives since it was first published five years ago.DIAGNOSING JEFFERSON has offered thousands of readers and their families more than hope--that an idiosyncratic life can be rewarding and constructive.It has brought much peace to families formerly distraught over harsh-sounding diagnoses and the prospect of entrapment in the labyrinth of autism.

The author has been careful not to say that Thomas Jefferson had Asperger's Syndrome.Instead, this well-researched work has made the point that the aggregate of Jefferson's well-reported odd behavior is compatible with those traits we now classify scientifically as Asperger's--that there is a preponderance of evidence that the Third President was at least on the autism/Asperger's continuum, or spectrum.

Scholars who have spent the better part of their lives studying this complex Founder have scratched their heads for two centuries over Thomas Jefferson's unexplained quirks.At the time it was demonstrated by DNA examination that his paternity of Sally Hemings's children was likely, if not a provable fact, there was a minor media frenzy.And during that print and broadcast attention, NBC's TODAY show featured an interview with Dianne Swann-Wright of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.Her frank admission on camera January 27, 2000, said it all:"There was a personal side of Thomas Jefferson that many of us just simply haven't been able to understand."

A shortage of understanding is also at the crux of the uneasy relationship that exists between the world of "Aspies" and those of us who are "neurotypical."In many ways this book has bridged that gap.

While strong on secondary sources to illustrate historical biographers' admissions of puzzlement about Jefferson's behavior, the book has also revealed what this condition of Asperger's Syndrome is all about, where it is likely to become a fork in a person's road through life.

Strong also on tracing features of Jefferson's long and productive life, this work has proved sympathetic, or at least understanding, of the Founder in his choices--one of the few treatments of Jefferson in print that has regarded him as a human being, not as an icon or eternally unknowable saint.

The most obvious failing of the critics of this book is their predisposition to judge without actually examining the work for what it illustrates, for the evidence it presents in full context, and for what it asks us to consider reasonably.They make it plain they have never actually read DIAGNOSING JEFFERSON.They condemn the notion that Jefferson's vast collection of idiosyncrasies can be matched against diagnostic criteria that have been developed over the past fifteen years and that the collections can be found compatible.Is this work a diagnosis?Possibly.In the absence of any other explanation for the sweeping array of coincidences we are given to ponder, reason would incline the open-minded toward the affirmative.

The author's use of such secondary sources as Brodie, Malone, Peterson, Jordan, and other respected scholars--his presentation of their findings--has been unassailable.To wander here and there and claim, "Oh, well, there is another explanation for that quirk of TJ's," ignores the presentation of the whole picture and the conclusion it has suggested.Such diversion is nit-picking and the sign of a mind that is prematurely closed.As further illustration of that, on several occasions the author has attempted direct contact with critics in order to debate areas of disagreement, only to be rebuffed impatiently or ignored.

In a time when scientists are attempting to cope with a possible epidemic of the spectrum condition of autism, when parents are looking for answers about a condition that continues to elude full understanding, open-mindedness seems a better approach to the suggestions of DIAGNOSING JEFFERSON and other studies than slamming the door on writers' and scholars' findings.For those perpetually puzzled about Thomas Jefferson's oddities, this book may have connected the right dots.What has made it so compelling is that no one else has ever tried to connect the dots at all.

As for the author's claim that there is no other known condition that matches so well the entire range of Jefferson's quirkiness, that continues to stand after five years of this thesis's circulation and consideration.Think of the lesson, "If it walks like a duck, etc."

The publisher, Future Horizons, Inc., gambled and gave the book a good initial run as its first hardcover.While it is not a bestseller, it went into a second printing in hardcover last year.The appeal was that this work has given dimensions to Thomas Jefferson that few writers--perhaps Brodie, perhaps Jordan--have made any effort to present.That appeal attracted first a mainstream publisher in metro New York that was in financial trouble and had to abandon the work, then Future Horizons, a specialty publisher in the field of autism.

Many teens and young adults with high-functioning autism and Asperger's Syndrome had considered themselves "losers," or aliens dropped on the wrong planet, until DIAGNOSING JEFFERSON came along.The theme of this book was strengthened by subsequent examination (not so in-depth as that with Jefferson) of a dozen other achievers in ASPERGER'S AND SELF-ESTEEM.How many creative people have turned toward a better path than one leading to dead-end despair because of these books?We may never know, but we do know that the works have had positive effects on many, into the thousands.

Best-selling author Dr. Temple Grandin, whose comments are incorporated in this work, has said that "genius is an abnormality."That observation certainly jibes with what we know of Thomas Jefferson.His personal demeanor was odd, his mannerisms were odd, his choices and lifestyle were odd, and yet his reasoning and especially his writings were remarkable, brilliant, beyond anything known in his time or since.The handy add-on in DIAGNOSING JEFFERSON--examples of the astounding range of interests represented by Jefferson's writings--attests to something in the Sage of Monticello that is far outside contemporary observations and experience with any men and women of today.

And because we know so little of quiet geniuses among us, as though they may have consigned themselves to anonymity lest their brilliance seem intimidating to the rest of us, this work has raised a few social considerations.Have we been treating the "developmentally disabled" as a second class, as we have done with women and with people of color or exotic national origins or unfamiliar religions?What do we gain by doing so, if not the feeding of our darker side, and more importantly, what do we lose?

Some of this is addressed in the final chapter, in which the illustration has been used of the teenaged Jefferson's search for a proper educational environment.Similar searching has been recommended to meet the needs of today's creative young people who feel stuck in hostile social settings euphemistically referred to as "high schools."The parallel is apt--and astonishing for its coincidence and relevance.

As one or two reviewers have correctly observed, a reader can learn as much about high-functioning autism from this book as he or she can learn about Thomas Jefferson.It is to be hoped that connection can be kept alive, to give stature to the so-called social misfits of today who (as currently suppressed geniuses among us) may show us a better way to manage Earth than use every resource for destroying the place and wiping out as many of its inhabitants as the whims of our "leaders" dictate.

Excellent Historical Research!!!!
I have read this book plenty of times. Lets face the facts: history, as Edward Baker Carr (the super-famous historian) pointed out, is a mixture or blend of objective facts organized in a subjective fashion. We look at history FROM THE PRESENT. My goal was, and still is, to be a PsyD in Clinical Psychology and support Autistics in society by issuing societal awareness and change. Changing the perceptions about the Autistic-frame of mind will take time. But at least Ledgin is doing something to initiate social change. This book take facts and arranges them into a logcial fashion. Ledgin is well supported in his claim, no doubt about it. He's right because it makes sense. We can see the recurring patterns in Jefferson's behavior and we can see it is influenced by natural(biological) over societal forces. It is excellent research and I admire this historical research as it is making progress toward the truth. Remember my review, someday I just might be as famous as Ledgin. LoL. Mr. John A. LaPaglia, B.A./B.A. ... Read more