Product Description
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson - Library Edition - Vol. 6 (of 20) is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Thomas Jefferson is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of Thomas Jefferson then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Comments from the Publisher
We apologize for the inconvenience. The title of the book was corrected on May 10th, 2009, as well as the navigation. This is a single volume not a collection of Jefferson's writings. The collection has much larger volume of Jefferson's works 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) including The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Volume VI as well as Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson", all 4 volumes with comprehensive index and TOC, State of the Union Addresses of Thomas Jefferson, and more

A waste
I like MobileReference, so I was surprised to find that this had only a small portion of Jefferson's writings, and not very well linked. I wish I could delete it from my Kindle account.

Be aware of what you're buying
[NOTE: This review pertains to "The Writings of Thomas Jefferson ..." published by MobileReference, ASIN: B001OZ7ZMG.] This is an odd publication.Contrary to what its title implies, and unlike other Mobile Reference collections I've purchased, it is not a complete collection.Nor is it a "greatest hits" collection.Rather, it's Jefferson's letters written in the mid-1780s, plus two biographical essays.Thus, while the title doesn't make this clear, it appears to be the digitized version of *one* volume of Jefferson's collected works.(The size of the file would also suggest that we're dealing with something less than the complete works here.)

As for ease of use, there are no links to aid navigation within the letters.On the plus side, the price is right. ... Read more

Product Description
Author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson is among the most important and controversial of American political thinkers. Joyce Appleby and Terence Ball have selected the most important of Jefferson's numerous writings, setting out his views on topics such as revolution, slavery and the role of women. The texts are supported by a concise introduction, suggestions for further reading and short biographies of key figures, all providing invaluable assistance to the student encountering Jefferson's thought for the first time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

There is a wealth of knowledge here!
I've just about comlpleted my graduate study, and being the smart fellow that I am, am past the point of elevating the founders (or anyone else for that matter)to demagogue status. Still, Jefferson is certainly one of the most brilliant people who'se ever put pen to parchment, and this book will show you why.

Broken into sections on such topics as the Virginia constitution, the US constitution, religious liberty, and slavery, this edition assembles Jefferson's personal letters, bills in the virginia legislature, excerpts from his autobiography and even presidential addresses. Put together, they give us a great chunk of Jeffersonaian thought (libertarianism, anti-federalism, republicanism) and even insights into his personal life (yes, "dialogue between the head and the heart" is here; Peronally, I like reading that one aloud).

The only criticisms I have are that the editing could've used a little alacrity. In that most of the items herein are personal letters which refer to specific historical events, persons, and goings on, the editors lack of introductory paragraphs, guiding footnotes, or references is a glaring omission. Now, I've studied most of the events and had only marginal trouble filling in details, but I pity she who has not read Jefferson before trying to make sense of the contexts without which the letters lose at least a bit of importance. Long and short: if you're familiar with Jefferson in detail, this is a great read. If not, read a good biography first.

(Before I go, I should point out that for those used to the dry style of Jefferson's autobiography and "Notes on Virginia", his letters are so much more pleasent to read. He is terse, vivacious, and quite informal, by contrast. Don't let memories of late night slogs through "Notes on Virginia" dissuade you from this collection.)

What are you standing there for? Procure this volume for your illustrious and most magnificent library!

Great Compelation of Jefferson's Writings
This is a really a great collection of Thomas Jefferson's views on liberty, slavery,democratic government, social policy in a republic, education, etc. Forget all of the "interpretations" or "revisionist" histories by professional historians, instead pick up this book and read about one of the greatest philosophers of human liberty and democracy. Reading Jefferson in his original words without the personal views of the historical crowd really brings out his true vision for a great republic. A great buy. ... Read more

Product Description

In this acclaimed work, available here for the first time in paperback, Herbert E. Sloan examines Thomas Jefferson's complex and obsessive relationship to debt--its roles in his life and political career, and in the formation of republican ideology. As party leader in the 1790s, and later as President of the United States, Jefferson led a crusade against public debt, which he felt robbed the people of a future rightly theirs. Yet as a private person, he was plagued by debt, never free of it throughout his life. In this respect, Sloan argues, Jefferson was representative of his social class--most of the Virginia gentry had similar problems with debt, and similar feelings about it.

Taking as the central exposition of Jefferson's political vision his famous letter to James Madison on the rights of the living generation, Sloan explores in detail the events of 1789-90, when Jefferson acceded to Hamilton's plans for the national debt. The consequences of this decision would haunt Jefferson until the day he died.

Eloquently written and exhaustively researched, Principle and Interest provides a unique perspective on a range of topics--revolutionary ideology, political economy, the mechanics of party organization--central to an understanding of the period.

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Product Description
Focuses on the childhood of America's third president. ... Read more

Customer 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

Customer Reviews (1)

The Life and Selected Writings of Thomas Jefferson
Book and dust jacket in good condition as described. Seller was quick to ship and packed well. Very good overall purchase experience with Amazon re-seller. ... Read more

Product Description
When Thomas Jefferson wrote his epitaph, he listed as his accomplishments his authorship of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia statute of religious freedom, and his founding of the University of Virginia. He did not mention his presidency or that he was second governor of the state of Virginia, in the most trying hours of the Revolution. Dumas Malone, author of the epic six-volume biography, wrote that the events of this time explain Jefferson's "character as a man of action in a serious emergency." Joseph Ellis, author of American Sphinx, focuses on other parts of Jefferson's life but wrote that his actions as governor "toughened him on the inside." It is this period, when Jefferson was literally tested under fire, that Michael Kranish illuminates in Flight from Monticello.

Customer Reviews (42)

Intimidating but Interesting
This is a hefty book (400 pages) and seemed a little bit intimidating at first.While I am familiar with Jefferson from history class, and visited Monticello as a child, my overall knowledge was pretty superficial.No longer.

The author's writing style is clear and the text seemed to flow pretty well; thankfully, that made the intimidating size of the book seem less so.

Based on the title, I was expecting the book to focus more on Thomas Jefferson and less on the overall state of affairs in Virginia.That being said, it was still interesting reading.While not a historical scholar, I found the book interesting, and think it would appeal to others looking to learn more about Jefferson.

What is a Leader to do in a Crisis?
The interesting point to glean from this facinating read, is how much abuse must a population take before they decide to sacrifice for the common good.After the British looted the land of food, horses, and slaves, having burned up cash-crop harvests, barns and homes, the Virginians had nothing left to lose except their lives. At this point, they volunteered to fight even without the orders of an ineffectual government to order them to the front. An additional revelation was the examination of how compromised were the political elites in charge of Virginia before the revolution. Take the case of William Byrd.As a member of the Virginia Legislature, he was bankrupt and needed the Colonial Govenment to relief him of his distress at the expense of the taxpayers.If William Byrd supported the King, then he would lose his property to his neighbors in revolt. If he worked for the good of his neighbors in revolt, then he would not be able to tax them to pay off his gambling debts. Unable to choose, he committed suicide. The book is a timely analysis of elites in a crisis. Our elites are equally compromised today.

Jeffeson's War
This is an extremely well written account of the Revolutionary War in Virginia.It starts with Jefferson's life growing up in Virginia and quickly moves into the opening stages on the war, providing background on the war to the north and south of Virginia, and how the state became the stage for the end game of the war.The book is rich in the details of several Virginia families and follows their fates, along with Jefferson's, through the war.This makes the book a pleasure to read (easy to get sucked in) while it is very informative.

Couldn't finish it; too boring
Simply put, I didn't like it. I read half the book and couldn't get myself to pick it up again. The level of detail in the book made me wonder if it was more historical fiction than non-fiction. I like Jefferson, but this was not one of my favorites on the man.

Fascinating, Well Researched, Detailed
For the rest of his life, Thomas Jefferson fought an accusation that when he was governor of Virgina, he displayed (at worst) cowardice, or (at best) incompetence in dealing with a British invasion of Virginia in 1781.Not only did the British troops, led by the traitor Benedict Arnold, easily take over the state, they narrowly missed taking Jefferson himself, who escaped only minutes ahead of a British force (led by Banstre Tarleton) specifically aimed at capturing him at Monticello. Kranish gives a thorough account of the affair, carefully describing the many elements that are necessary to understand the context.Jefferson can be faulted for not having acted more quickly and vigorously, a failing that revealed his lack of military experience and ability.On the other hand, Jefferson admitted that military matters were not his strong point, and in fact subsequently stepped down as governor while calling for the appointment of a more military-minded replacement.There were also many other contributing factors to the debacle, including the fact that the governor did not have much authority to act without the approval of legislators.It appeared that the only way Jefferson could have taken more decisive action would have been to stretch if not break the laws constraining his behavior.Evidently, Jefferson learned from this experience and in later years supported establishing more effective defense measures and giving more authority to the executive to take them.

Apparently at the instigation of Patrick Henry, previously greatly admired by Jefferson, the Virginia state legislature passed a motion to investigate Jefferson's conduct during the war.Nothing came of the resolution, however, and after a spirited defense by Jefferson of his actions, the legislature unanimously passed a resolution commending him for his conduct.Nonetheless, Jefferson felt the affair had sullied his reputation, and for the rest of his life carried a grudge against Henry.

Flight from Monticello is instructive not only on Jefferson's conduct, but on the whole Revolutionary War.For example, the book underscores how dependent we were on France for the success of the revolution.Lafayette led the French troops which, in conjunction with the French navy, were indispensable in Washington's victory over Cornwallis at Yorktown, the decisive battle of the war. ... Read more

Product Description
A real-life thriller, now in paperback -- the true story of the unheralded American who brought the Barbary Pirates to their knees

In an attempt to stop the legendary Barbary Pirates of North Africa from hijacking American ships, William Eaton set out on a secret mission to overthrow the government of Tripoli. The operation was sanctioned by President Thomas Jefferson, who at the last moment grew wary of "intermeddling" in a foreign government and sent Eaton off without proper national support. Short on supplies, given very little money and only a few men, Eaton and his mission seemed doomed from the start. He triumphed against all odds, recruited a band of European mercenaries in Alexandria, and led them on a march across the Libyan Desert. Once in Tripoli, the ragtag army defeated the local troops and successfully captured Derne, laying the groundwork for the demise of the Barbary Pirates. Now, Richard Zacks brings this important story of America’s first overseas covert op to life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (70)

A treat and a delight
The rich content, tenor and tone of a finely written history of the type that thrilled and deleighted me when I was a boy
is found here in this marvelous painting of the the lead up to "shores of tripoli".
Fun and rewarding. Oh. Did I say I loved it?

Outstanding!Reads Like an Adventure Novel

This is an outstanding piece of historical research.The author, Richard Zacks, does an amazing job of describing America's first covert action initiative.At the time, American was at war with the Barbary pirates.President Jefferson subsequently sent William Eaton on a covert mission to North Africa.Mr. Eaton, Lt Presley O'Bannon, and six U.S. Marines attempted to overthrow the ruling government of Tripoli and restore the deposed Bashaw to his thrown.

The author uses a writing style that allows the reader to feel like they are part of the action.Of note is that each character is described in detail.Mr. Zacks shows both their strengths and weaknesses.For example, most accounts of William Eaton describe his famous march across the desert.Very little, however, is written about how he spent little time with his wife and family.Amazingly, he became upset at her when she did not write to him often enough.He seems to have been oblivious to the fact that he repeatedly abandoned her to run the house alone for years at a time. These personal details are what help to bring the characters to life.

The author does an excellent job of describing the political events that surrounded these events.To some degree, the politics of 1805 are no different than the politics of today.The reader will obtain a good sense of William Eaton's frustration over the lack of support from the White House.The reader may even feel a bit of outrage over the duplicity of the U.S. Ambassador, Tobias Lear, when he negotiated the peace treaty.

Bottom line, this is an excellent book.Although it is historical non-fiction, it reads like an adventure novel.The reader can expect to be entertained while also discovering the details of this amazing event.

good service
the book was just as described and shipped quickly.Can't ask for more.thanks

"Millions for defense, not a cent for tribute" (3.5 stars)
In the late 1790s and early 1800s merchant ships in the Mediterranean were harassed mercilessly by the Barbary corsairs (pirates).Based in the nations on the northern coast of Africa, they extorted huge amounts of tribute payments from European nations, and sought to do the same with the fledgling United States of America.After losing the USS Philadelphia and over 200 officers and sailors as slaves to Tripoli, Jefferson decided to stand up to the pirates and end their tyranny.He sent William Eaton, a diplomat with a checkered history, to overthrow the Bashaw of Tripoli and free the Americans.And while Eaton nearly succeeded against enormous odds, his quest was cut just short of a tremendous victory by the dishonest (and incompetent) Tobias Lear, who was also sent by Jefferson to broker peace.

Although not as enjoyable as Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy by Ian Toll (in my opinion), Richard Zacks does a good job of telling the story of the Barbary Wars.Zacks provides extensive information on the individuals involved, such as Eaton, Lear, Hamet, and others, but the story drags with excessive day-by-day detail of Eaton's 500 mile march across the desert.He also covers the political maneuvering and duplicity of Jefferson following Eaton's mission in great detail.I may have enjoyed it more if I hadn't recently read Toll's book, but I preferred Six Frigates and I suspect many others will, too.

Great book
We have forgotten that our war with these terrorists didn't just start on Sept 11th. The book is a good reminder of our history. Too bad it isn't mandatory reading in high school. ... Read more

Product Description
Painstaking Reconstruction of Jefferson's Library CatalogueSold to the Library of Congress in 1815 to replace volumes burned by the British during their occupation of Washington, Jefferson's library, comprising 6,700, volumes was one of the finest in the United States. The taxonomically arranged catalogue that accompanied these books was a remarkable work, one that offered great insight into the broad and systematic nature of Jefferson's mind. Unfortunately, it was lost. Using Jefferson's notes and the first edition of the Library of Congress catalogue, Gilreath and Wilson recreated Jefferson's original compilation. It contains an extensive collection of legal books arranged under the general heading "Philosophy." Beginning with the broad designations of "Ethics," "Moral Philosophy," "Law of Nature and Nations" and "Religion" Jefferson proceeds to such topics as "Common Law," "Maritime Law and "Foreign Law." It is valuable both for its insights into Jefferson's legal mind and as a guide to the titles one would want to include in a first-class American law library of the period.James Gilreath was an American history specialist at the Library of Congress rare book and special collections division.Douglas L. Wilson is George A. Lawrence Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus; Co-director, Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College Galesburg, Illinois.CONTENTSForewordIntroduction Selected Reading List Editorial NoteCatalogueI. Memory1. Antient History2. Modern History. Foreign3. Modern History. British4. Modern History. American5. History-Ecclesiastical6. Natural Philosophy7. Agriculture8. Chemistry9. Surgery10. Medicine 11. Animals. Anatomy12. Animals. Zoology13. Botany14. Mineralogy15. Occupations of Man. Technical ArtsII. Philosophy16. Ethics Moral Philosophy Law of Nature and Nations17. Religion18. Jurisprudence. Equity19. Jurisprudence. Common Law20. Jurisprudence. Law-Merchant21. Jurisprudence. Law-Maritime22. Jurisprudence. Law- Ecclesiastical23. Jurisprudence. Foreign Law24. Politics25. Mathematics. Pure. Arithematic26. Mathematics. Pure. Geometry27. Physico-Mathematics. Mechanics, Statics, Dynamics, Pneumatics, Phonics, Optics28. Astronomy29. GeographyIII. Fine Arts30. Architecture31. Gardening, Painting, Sculpture32. Music33. Poetry. Epic34. Romance, Tales-Fables35. Pastorals, Odes, Elegies36. Didactic37. Tragedy38. Comedy39. Dialogue-Epistolary40. Logic, Rhetoric, Orations41. Criticism. Theory42. Criticism. Bibliography43. Criticism. Languages44. PolygraphicalAppendixSome pages from the printed catalogue of 1815 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Useful book
I bought this book because I had to write a paper on Monticello.This book was easy to use and reference so far as historical data, dates, etc. go.The photos are also very beautiful.Equally useful for students and tourists. ... Read more

Product Description
In 1784, the recently widowed Thomas Jefferson set sail for Paris. As the new nation's minister to France he was expected to deal with the politicians in the court of King Louis XVI, but he was not prepared for the likes of Maria Cosway. Enchantingly beautiful, sophisticated, and witty, this Italian-born woman captured the handsome Virginian's heart. Their romance--lasting more than three years--is recorded in these private billets-doux between the shy American minister and his precocious bonne femme. Presented here for the first time in an accessible and attractive edition are over forty letters that reveal the innermost Jefferson. ... Read more

Product Description
It was a contest of titans: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two heroes of the Revolutionary era, once intimate friends, now icy antagonists locked in a fierce battle for the future of the United States. The election of 1800 was a thunderous clash of a campaign that climaxed in a deadlock in the Electoral College and led to a crisis in which the young republic teetered on the edge of collapse. Adams vs. Jefferson is the gripping account of a turning point in American history, a dramatic struggle between two parties with profoundly different visions of how the nation should be governed. The Federalists, led by Adams, were conservatives who favored a strong central government.The Republicans, led by Jefferson, were more egalitarian and believed that the Federalists had betrayed the Revolution of 1776 and were backsliding toward monarchy.The campaign itself was a barroom brawl every bit as ruthless as any modern contest, with mud-slinging, scare tactics, and backstabbing. The low point came when Alexander Hamilton printed a devastating attack on Adams, the head of his own party, in "fifty-four pages of unremitting vilification." The stalemate in the Electoral College dragged on through dozens of ballots. Tensions ran so high that the Republicans threatened civil war if the Federalists denied Jefferson the presidency. Finally a secret deal that changed a single vote gave Jefferson the White House. A devastated Adams left Washington before dawn on Inauguration Day, too embittered even to shake his rival's hand. With magisterial command, Ferling brings to life both the outsize personalities and the hotly contested political questions at stake. He shows not just why this moment was a milestone in U.S. history, but how strongly the issues--and the passions--of 1800 resonate with our own time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

Adams vs. Jefferson:The Tumultuous Election of 1800
I have read all of Professor
Ferling's books and have enjoyed all of them. This book is an excellent book that illustrates one of, if not the most important elections in America's history. It is a virtual outline of the many more that succeeded it.

As one who reads a great deal of historical books, I believe that Professor Ferling comes extremely close to Cicero's admonition to historians to (1) never dare utter an untruth (2) suppress nothing that is true and (3) record history with no suspician of partiality or malice in the writing. The professor brings to life the election of 1800 in terms of today's world.I think a reader would enjoy the book. I highly recommend reading his other books which go into greater detail on the Revolutionary period and the wonderful men that played vitally important roles in our nation's history.

I read most of Professor Ferling's books through the local library system and was impressed enough with his writings to purchase all of them for my own reference.

Price watch
Excellent book!! My only concern is a "list price" on Amazon of $19.99, which is a paper sticker overlying the book's listed price of $14.95 - so that the discount is in fact $1.

I would expect somewhat less devious pricing from Amazon!

Excellent history
This is excellent history in that the book does not overwhelm the reader with detail but gives one enough to understand the relationship between Jefferson and Adams.

Exciting excursion into American history
Packed with history, this reads like an adventure story. A must read for fans of the founders and especially valuable for its enduring lessons about the roots of our party system.

The United States gets back on the republican track in 1800 (4.5*s)
While the particulars and the intrigues surrounding the election of 1800 made it the most raucous election held to that point in US history, it was, more importantly, according to Thomas Jefferson, the culmination of the American Revolution begun twenty-five years prior. It was, in his mind, no less than the repudiation of the elitist Federalist era that had lasted the long decade dating from the Constitutional Convention in 1787. More so than the election, the author focuses on the events and decisions of that decade that gave rise to a political party, the Republicans, who opposed the entrenched party of government, the Federalists, all of which did lead to the first Presidential election with identifiable political parties. Some of the most capable political figures in American history were players in the 1790s. While John Adams held the offices of both Vice President and President in the 90s, it was Alexander Hamilton who was the driving force behind the Federalists and their policies of nationalism and commercialism. Both Jefferson and James Madison were greatly disturbed by the power and size of the federal government, the militarism of the Federalists, and their rejection of republicanism, or average citizen empowerment.

Most of the leading figures in colonial society in the decade after the Revolutionary War came to understand that the Articles of Confederation left the United States in a helpless state, almost on the edge of collapse. When those elites met in Philadelphia in 1787, they had no intention of constructing a true democratic republic; in fact, they feared the democratic initiatives of recent years in various states. The design of the US Constitution, with its roadblocks at every turn, virtually guaranteed that popular initiatives could not be realized. However, it was not fully appreciated at the time just how much power some, namely Hamilton, wanted to exert through the central government.

Early on in the Washington administration, both Madison and Jefferson knew that Treasury secretary Hamilton's initiatives to fully fund US war debts (a boon to speculators in War bonds), to assume the wartime debts of the states, and to establish a central US bank were designed to enhance the interests of commercial elites. However, it was the US involvement in European affairs that engendered the strongest opposition throughout the decade. The official neutrality position of the US towards British-French hostilities in 1793 merely confirmed to many that US elites had far too much respect for aristocratic British society. Democratic-Republican societies (the forerunner to the Republican Party) emerged at this time to denounce the failure of the US to support the French in their efforts to establish a republican order.

When the French began preying upon US shipping in 1796, largely as a result of the US pro-British stance, the Federalist reaction was militaristic. The French refusal to accept US envoys in 1798 caused the Quasi-War with France to reach a fever pitch. Both Hamilton and Adams had to exert a moderating influence to keep ultra-Federalists from forcing a war with France. However, they did ram the Alien and Sedition Acts through Congress which were designed to curtail critical commentary of the policies of the US and its officials. Numerous newspaper writers and editors were jailed under the Sedition Act. It is the black spot on Adams' presidency that will not go away.

As the author points out, the republican political societies and the partisan opposition press did profoundly impact the perceptions among average Americans who now saw Federalists as social elites and who were increasingly alarmed at their militarism, policies favoring elite commercial interests, including tight-money monetary policies, pro-British and anti-French stances, and their ignoring of First Amendment rights to a free press. The first significant evidence of a shift among voters was the takeover of the New York assembly by the Republicans in 1800, virtually guaranteeing Jefferson all of New York's electoral votes, since that body selected the electors.

The author describes well the peculiar electoral system of that era whereby the two Congressional caucuses actually nominated two candidates for President, reflecting the fact that electors actually cast two votes for President, one vote of which could not be for a candidate from his state. The top two vote getters became President and Vice President regardless of party. If no candidate received a majority of votes in the Electoral College or the top two tied, then the House of Representatives decided the election with each state getting one vote. In 1800, the vote of nine states out of sixteen was required to win the election. Another variable in the election process was the manner in which electors were selected. In some states the legislature chose, in others popular voting by district or statewide selected electors, with states frequently changing the system between elections.

Into this novel electoral system stepped the candidates for President in 1800: John Adams and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney of South Carolina were nominated by the Federalists and Jefferson and Aaron Burr of New York by the Republicans. As the author points out, there was far more politicking in the election of 1800 than ever before. In the first place, the Republican press had greatly expanded. If anything, the Republicans were more organized with pamphlets, parades, dinners, picnics, etc. The Federalists, sensing their cause as being lost, mounted scurrilous on Jefferson concerning his alleged atheism and radicalism. And there are the intrigues of Hamilton before the election and of Burr once the election moved to the House of Representatives because of the tie between Burr and Jefferson. Wiser heads did finally prevail in the Congressional contest, averting a potentially dire political crisis. As it was, the election represented the first peaceful transfer of power from one faction to another in US history.

The author captures well the fact that the 1790s and the election of 1800 were very pivotal times in US history. The promise of the American Revolution was slowing ebbing away. Perhaps there are those believe that the direction of US history was firmly cast by the Revolution. This book makes clear that is not the case. The thinking and efforts of Jefferson, Madison, republican societies and newspapers were instrumental in changing the course that the Federalists had set for the US and the greater society. Jefferson was overjoyed that the US had finally been able to cast off the Toryism of the Federalists and hopefully begin anew on the path promised by the Revolution.
... Read more

Product Description
Jefferson's Great Gamble tells the incredible story of how four leaders of an upstart nation--Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Livingston--risked the future of their country and their own careers; outwitted Napoleon Bonaparte, the world's most powerful ruler; and secured a new future for the United States of America.

For two years before the Louisiana Purchase, the nine principal players in the deal watched France and the United States approach the brink of war over the most coveted spot on the planet: a bustling port known as New Orleans. And until the breakthrough moment when a deal was secured, the men who steered their countries through the tense and often beguiling negotiations knew only that the futures of both nations were being questioned, and that the answer was uncertain.

Jefferson's Great Gamble is an extraordinary work that redefines one of the most important and overlooked events in American history. Charles A. Cerami reveals the untold thrusts and parries of the Louisiana Purchase, an event that was not just a land sale, but thirty months of high drama, blandishment, posturing and secret maneuvers by some of the most powerful and crafty men of their time. Utilizing original correspondence and firsthand accounts, Cerami paints a vivid and engrossing narrative enriched by the words of the men whose talents and weaknesses kept the negotiations alive during the most unsure moments.

When Thomas Jefferson took office as president of the United States in 1801, Louisiana was at the front of his mind. Jefferson knew that the future of the country hinged on its right to navigate the Mississippi River and have access to New Orleans. His hopes for maintaining this right were almost completely dashed when it was discovered that Napoleon had secretly forced Spain to give the Louisiana Territory to France, and that he had troops on the way to take possession of New Orleans.

Jefferson's only hope to stop the takeover lay in a great gamble: convincing Napoleon that the United States was willing to go to war over the port city. Jefferson knew that war might fracture the new country, which at the time had roughly one thousand men in its army. He was therefore faced with not only convincing Napoleon that the United States was ready to fight, but bluffing him into thinking that it could win that battle.

To execute his plan, Jefferson turned to his brilliant but troubled foreign-relations team. James Madison, the wily secretary of state, devised with Jefferson a disinformation strategy that was remarkable for its ingenuity and effectiveness. Robert Livingston, the American envoy to France, struggled to negotiate with French officials while being disdained and ignored by Jefferson and Madison, his political rivals. And as the final negotiations approached, James Monroe found himself sailing to Paris with the key to how the United States would execute the endgame.

Napoleon was bombarded by contradicting opinions from his two closest advisors. François de Barbé-Marbois, the impeccably honest finance minister, pushed toward a sale to raise money for a war with England. Charles-Maurice de Tallyrand-Périgord, Napoleon's witty and corrupt chief advisor, pushed him to hold on to the colony, a position he believed held long-term benefits for France, if not for Napoleon.

To read Jefferson's Great Gamble is to experience the tense days and nights leading to a decision that changed the face of the world. From the early American infighting to the heated French negotiations to the battle needed years later to secure the purchase, this new history is a story of dedicated men, each driven by love of country, who created an event that Robert Livingston called "the noblest work of our lives." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Louisiana Purchase - little known background
This book describes the background and the details of the Louisiana Purchase.The personalities, their ambitions, frustrations, successes and disappointments are woven into the story.Also, the history of the ownership of the Louisiana Territory.In 1803 it appeared to be Spain, but it was France.The revolution in what became Haiti was responsible for Napoleon's sale of New Orleans and the rest of the territory to the United States.This story was not in my history books in school -- and I found it very interesting.
I would have bought the book anyway, but the price was definitely right.I definitely got my money's worth.

Doubling the Size of the Nation through Diplomacy
Charles Cerami's work of diplomatic history, "Jefferson's Great Gamble, The Remarkable Story of Jefferson, Napoleon, and the Men behind the Louisiana Purchase" is a fine piece that traces the talks that led to the largest peaceful acquisition of real estate in American history.As opposed to a military history, with all the drama of contingency that it implies, diplomatic history can easily be dry and dull as men sit around and talk.Cerami's work doesn't fall into this trap.Rather, the author highlights the tensions that existed not only between France and the USA, but also between Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and Livingston, as well as those between Napoleon, Talleyrand, and other, less well known Frenchmen who contributed to the deal. This book expertly offers a window into the early 19th century and how affairs were conducted.For instance, the problems of diplomacy are highlighted, as when King George III of Britain learned of the deal weeks before Jefferson.This of course is a grim foreshadow of the peace that ended the War of 1812, which was signed weeks before the Battle of New Orleans.Cerami doesn't conclude his work with the conclusion of the deal.Rather, he sees fit to take the narrative to that last epic battle of the 1812 war, perhaps to add the drama of military history unnecessarily to this already engaging work of diplomatic history.One would have appreciated more about Jefferson's role in the affair, as he seems largely marginalized by Madison's machinations.The passages dealing with Jefferson's real or feigned desire to seek a constitutional amendment giving him the power to accept the deal are quite enjoyable and educational, but one would have preferred a deeper analysis of the president's motives in this move.In all, this is great book for those new to the subject of the Louisiana Purchase or the early republic in general.

Too much analysis, not enough storytelling
I believe that good history requires good storytelling - and there was too little of that. The principal character's strengths and weaknesses are endlessly picked over, but the book lacks dramatic narrative, favoring a nit-picking type of analysis that I found unconvincing. In particular, extracts from letters are too short to make the big points the author is seeking to make with any confidence. Also baffling, to me, was the failure to extract from the texts of the sale contract and treaty. I would contrast the failures of this book with the strengths of, for example, Don Cook's "The Long Fuse", where the value of extensively quoting from sources and showing the human interactions breathes life into great historical events with very many more players than the Great Gamble.

Not definitive, but still a good read
I really enjoyed this little book.This is a subject that I have not really studied in depth, so I found it to be fascinating book.I really liked the book because it was very focused on the US narrative, so the book shows readers everything that went into this doubling of the US's territory.

What really fascinates me about this subject is the level of trust that leaders such as Jefferson had to place in their envoys.Communications back at the beginning of the 19th century were very slow.This could create situations were an envoy in France my receive instructions that have already become obsolete by the time he has received them.This made their jobs extremely difficult as they had to make decisions as best they could at any given time, and they would have to make decisions and hope they have judged appropriately how their leaders would have had them act.

The stories of Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and other giants of early US history here are simply compelling.I learned a great deal from this book and I was entertained as well.I thought the book was well written and the author has an entertaining style that is easy to read.My only criticisms would be that the book is probably too focused on the American side of the story, and the picture given is not complete.I think this is a great book to pique your curiosity with, but definitely not the book to be your definitive experience with this complex historical moment.I recommend readers use this book the way I did, and that is as an entertaining introduction to the Louisiana Purchase.Treat this book as one that leads you to a further exploration, and thus, a richer understanding of this fascinating moment in US history.As long as readers come to this work with this attitude I think they will find this book well worth their time and effort.

The Louisiana Purchase for the Common Man
I am giving copies of this book for Christmas.

Cerami may not offer the latest scholarship or the most incisive observations, but he brings you on board with information that is clearly presented.He is not always right, but he is right enough, and for under three-hundred pages, you will be ready to pursue in greater detail the roles of James Madison, Robert Livingston, Thomas Jefferson, Talleyrand, Napoleon or the other American and French politicians and diplomats involved in the Louisiana Purchase.

Jefferson's Great Gamble reminds me of biographies by Jeffrey Meyers (Stephen Crane, George Orwell, Ernest Hemingway, Katherine Mansfield, and more): clear, pleasant, useful, but not the most complete book on the subject. ... Read more

Product Description
[This is part 1 of a 2 part cassette edition of Volume 5] The fifth volume of the Jefferson series is a vibrant account of Jefferson's disparate activities, sponsoring the Lewis and Clark expedition, concluding the naval "war" with the Barbary pirates, engaging in a political duel with Chief Justice Marshall over the trial of Aaron Burr, attempting to impose an embargo on exports in reaction to the impressment of American seamen by foreign powers, and, finally, retiring to his beloved haven at Monticello. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Difficulties
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 second term 1805 -1809
Jefferson: The President second term 1805-1809 is the fifth volume in a series of six, by Dumas Malone and brings us into the last four years of Jefferson's Presidency. I found that the author worked harder to bring out Jefferson the man in this volume... maybe because of the actions of others, (Burr and Marshall), but it is apparent that the author worked hard on this volume.

Jefferson sponsors the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Congress gives Jefferson a little slack, but Arron Burr takes the domestic heat. The Barbary pirates are delt with, but the political views of Jefferson and Marshall heat up to a boiling point. But, Jeferson's second term seems to hit a nadir and he is longing for his Virginia mountain top home where he can finally retire after forty years of service to government.

I found the scholarship to be impeccable, balanced, seemly sympathetic. The overall narrative is detailed and at times engrossing and engaging. Even though we can see Jefferson's excitement with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, we also see heartbreak with Burr and vituperation with Marshall.

Overall, this volume brings us to one of the most interesting times of Jeferson's life... that of retirement. This is one of the most interesting of the volumes so far as we see Jefferson working out the problems that others have wrought upon him.

Superb Research, Stilted Prose
Dumas Malone (1892-1986) devoted his academic career to studying Thomas Jefferson, and this superbly researched volume reflects that lifelong scholarship. This book is one in a six-part series examining the life of our third President.I read this book for a college class and immediately grasped the unending pressures that President Jefferson faced in his second term.Malone examines the decision-making options available to Jefferson, usually (and perhaps too often) supporting the eventual route that the President decided upon.This volume's research and analysis is worthy of five stars, not to mention the 1975 Pulitzer Prize the series captured.Unfortunately, Malone's stilted prose - the weakness of most academic historians - produces a rather laborious read.Thus, four stars overall. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

A solid Foundation
In Native America Discovered and Conquered, law professor Robert J. Miller examines how the international law concept now referred to as the "Doctrine of Discovery" applied to America's westward expansion. Miller explains how the principles of the doctrine - developed by Spanish and Portuguese explorers in the 1400s and formally adopted in America in the 1823 Supreme Court case of Johnson v. M'Intosh - influenced Thomas Jefferson's expansionist plans, delineated Lewis and Clark's duties, and grew into the policy of Manifest Destiny.

This book offers a fresh look at these common chapters in American history by viewing them through the lens of the Doctrine of Discovery, which Miller describes "in a nutshell" as the idea that when a European, Christian nation "discovered" new lands, the European - later American - nation automatically acquired sovereign and property rights in the new land, subject only to the native peoples' right to occupy and use the land. When the natives stopped using or wanted to sell the land, they had to sell it to the European or American "conquering" nation and to no other.

Miller sticks to his theme well, tying many loose threads of history into his theory. Native America Discovered and Conquered provides a necessary foundation for understanding the laws and actions that created the modern legal system controlling American Indians today.

Native America, Discovered and Conquered: Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, and Manifest Destiny
I can't personally review this book because I was the not the reader of it.I purchased this text as a gift for my wife's uncle.I did get a note from him a couple of weeks ago that told me that his book "was an excellent read."From first glance, this book does look interesting to me and I will probably read it for myself in the near future.

Ron Morrison

The first birthright commons ever privatized
This is an important book. I first commented on the hardback when it came out, but I've since cited it in many pieces of my own scholarship.It is well written, well organized, and well documented. So I want to endorse the paper back edition too. It should influence a number of fields - history, economics, and law most of all.Professor Miller's thesis is that a very well-developed and refined legal doctrine - the Doctrine of Discovery - provided the grounding for the seizure and settlement of the North American continent by European nations.However ethnocentric, racist and self-serving it may have been, it adequately served as justification for what was little more than a crude land-grab.Despite its moral and widespread appeal to nationalists, financiers, and settlers, it would never pass muster today.But, for all the harm and pain it wrought, it was then allied with historical forces that made it unstoppable and inexorable.Euro-Americans must today live with this history, however unpalatable.

Professor Miller is helped by his willingness to be interdisciplinary in his exploration.He himself is an Associate Professor at the Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, as well as being Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon.As a citizen of the Eastern Shawnee tribe of Oklahoma, he has the ability to step outside the Eurocentric paradigm of legal reasoning on which so many of our notions of real property rest.But he also relies on a rich vein of historical literature with which he treats in a commendable way.

The subject, however, is one which calls for an even broader sweep than he has been able to master, and an understanding of economic theory as it existed prior to the 20th century would have been very helpful to him.Classical economics - extending as it did from Adam Smith to the culminating figure of Henry George -- is really what he further needed.Understanding of some of its basic tenets would have served this scholarly treatise well, but at least is now an invitation for a new realm of historical exploration.

The strongest advocates of the classical economics tradition today mostly go by the name Georgists, after its culminating figure, Henry George. This approach can offer further insight to what is the weakest part of a very good book. But exploring this dimension can be done at another place and time; Professor Miller can't be expected to know every academic discipline.Lawyers appreciate that title to land is multifaceted, sometimes understood as a "bundle of rights."One element of this so-called "bundle," separable in ways that can offer promising compromises, is the occurrence of economic rent, or ground rent.A Georgist approach would grant use of land to one group, and collect the ground rent to pass to another.It's an often-cited solution that deserves more examination for today's difficult Indian land claims. Those wishing to explore this tradition can go to www.henrygeorge.org, and to any number of links therefrom.

I also want to recommend www.onthecommons.org and www.wealthandwant.com.The sad thing is that same land grab is continuing today -- it's not just the land we've grabbed and sold off to private interests, we're now doing the same with water, the electromagnetic spectrum, and even the air!James Ridgeway's book, It's all for Sale, treats it well.But a good complement to Bob Miller's book is Lindsay Robertson's Conquest by Law. It's more on how Native Americans were deprived of what was theirs. Great stuff! ... Read more

Product Description
This latest addition to the TJEd library is written to youth and adults wanting to accomplish a successful Scholar Phase--not only academically, but in personal development and mission preparation. It includes: How to find the Real You The Teen-100 List How to study the classics How to make the most of your mentor Sample Simulations List of Online Resources plus lots more! ... Read more

Product Description
"Evaluating Books: What Would Thomas Jefferson Think About This?" offers many insights. It teaches principles of economics and government in bite-sized nuggets, and gives indicators for spotting the philosophical slant of most writers and media commentators on the subjects of law, history, economics and literature. For ages 12 through adult. Can be used for courses in Economics, Business, Finance, Government and History.

Table of Contents for Evaluating Books: What Would Thomas Jefferson Think About This?
Uncle Eric's Model of How the World Works
Quantity Discounts Available
Author's Disclosure
How to Use This Book
Evaluating Books
America's Founders

Negative Indicators
Issue #1. The Great Depression
Issue #2. Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal
Issue #3. Progressive Taxes
Issue #4. Robber Baron Capitalists
Issue #5. Governments Aren't Greedy
Issue #6. Child Labor Laws
Issue #7. Farmers Had Happier Lives
Issue #8. Poverty and Crime
Issue #9. Wage-and-Price Spiral
Issue #10. Needs of Society
Issue #11. Isolationism
Issue #12. Unions Saved Workers
Issue #13. Social Security is Beneficial
Issue #14. War
Issue #15. Sacrifice
Issue #16. The Founders Motives Were Corrupt

Misleading Terms

Positive Indicators
Indicator #1. Quality of Life
Indicator #2. Individualism
Indicator #3. Accomplishment Deserves Reward
Indicator #4. Higher Law Exists
Indicator #5. Heroes Use Brain Not Brawn
Indicator #6. Evidence vs. Opinion
Indicator #7. Objective Truth
Indicator #8. Tanstaafl
Indicator #9. Overcome Problems & Move Forward

Examples
The Great Thanksgiving Hoax
A Tribute to the Statue of Ellis Island
The Founding Fathers: Smugglers, Tax Evaders, and Traitors?
Recommended Authors
Organizations
About Richard J. Maybury
Index ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Is Liberty Statism or Non-Statism? Privatization or Communism?
First of all, I have read most of Richard Maybury's books and find them very valuable and enlightening. "Whatever Happened to Justice," is an excellent eye opener on democracy verses liberty and common law verses political law. His books on the economy, "Whatever Happened to Penny Candy," "Personal Finance," (I haven't read the "Clipper Ship Strategy" as of yet) and his books on WWI and WWII are some of the best I have read, exposing the "other side of the stories." He really is an excellent writer in both bringing out significant points relatively unknown by the majority and doing so with lucid simplicity. I also enjoyed very much his book on Rome and imperialistic influences on Western civilization and the 1000 year war of the Middle East. His book entitled, "Are you a Liberal, a Conservative or Confused," is also excellent. And so I recommend all his books, every one.

And now this book on Thomas Jefferson. This is also an excellent book and I think it's an accurate assessment on him and the founders and their political philosophy in forming the United States of America. I do not disagree here on their original intentions. However I am not an "enemy of Statism," as Jefferson and other founding fathers were. I do believe that such philosophy was of the times and must be contrasted in a country with a much higher population and secondly, subsequent the advent of the "corporation."

So I am speaking here as a "statist," and a liberal one at that, but not a statist without compromises depending on the nature of the particular issue. Now I admire both Maybury and this book, despite my personal differences. And I say this because I am rather convinced that BOTH the extreme statist views and the extreme nonstatist views are dangerous political ideologies when carried out.

Statism endorses large government which is deadly with burdens on free trade that destroy both the economy and the freedom and liberty rights of the individual, while nonstatism produces a "Wild West" free society with entrepreneur and corporate abuses that are abusively horrific.

However, statism in moderation both restrains the abuse of liberty of the entrepreneur and corporation from severe and ugly domination and yet allow them the liberty and freedom of free trade (within limits - there must be boundaries!), ownership and rewards for hard work.

Nonstatism in the extreme is privatization and this can be ugly in its radical form. I have a book at home on early America with a photo of a 19th century American factory, young children all squatting, sorting grains with a proud and assuming entrepreneur standing over them boldly and blatantly stating "As soon as their old enough to stand, they are ready to work," Another picture is of a small boy, face covered in dirt and drained from a hard days (12, 14, 18 hours work?). Thank God for statism and child labor laws! Thank the creator, or the higher wisdom or the insight of the Common Law to environmental protection, child labor protection, workers rights and so forth. And Maybury in mentioning some of this makes much to light of the severity of the issues. These are crucial and absolutely necessary protections, protections that need to be enforced through statism.

Also, there are the lynchings of mobs from lack of security forces and people carrying guns. And while unlimited free trade and liberty sounds so fair it is not. Not when the players are unevenly matched, like a Little League Baseball team competing against the New York Yankees. And while it may be true that it was in reality the inflation created by the government to pay for WWII expenses, and not mainly the New Deal and Social Security Socialistic measures instituted by Roosevelt, I don't think, these can be simply written off as non beneficial. Balance consists in both socialism, capitalism and democracy, none swaying all in one direction. And yes, his foreign policy was brutal, but this is addressing the internal socialistic policies for the benefit of the "working" man the proletariat.

Statism in the extreme is government ownership of all, communism. Communism without the "Bill of Rights," as found in the United States, is despotism and authoritarian and secondly, creates lazy parasitic conditions, which removes the initiative of free trade and the work ethics and (healthy) ambitions that coincide producing positive growth and utility and productivity for both the individual and the society as a whole.

The Jurist Naturlist resembles the Libertarian, which are in reality are the old Classic Liberals - not the same as Liberals, but the inversion of the Moderates, that is, the moderate Conservatives and Liberals, those in between. (No controls verses limited controls in both social and economic areas) The moderates want in limited degrees that is, both social and economic government controls with moderation, while the Libertarian and Jurist Naturalist want the extreme in small portion, anotherwards very little controls at all. Now the liberal is against social controls and enforces economic - consumer protection, while the conservative want are against the economic controls, enforcing the social - morality codes and censorship. Again, the Jurist Naturalist - neither.

Sixth in a Series of Nine Books that can Change Your Life!
I have continued to read Mr. Maybury's books and the first five have filled me with knowledge and wonder at how uninformed I have been in the past about simple and basic issues that touch, influence and determine the coarse of a persons life each and evey day.

I have learned a great deal from his obvious intellectual prowess and his all encompassing views on many subjects and how they mesh together to form, affect and manipulate this world we live in.

One gets a sense of awe at how little they can trust those in power but how immensly important is it is that those without it stick together and ensure we be ever vigilante in our observations of elected officials. Those people we used to call public servants but who hav become nothing but self-indulgent life lont politicians. In other words they have become exactly what our Constitution and Bill of Rights were designed to prevent.

In this book, "What Would Thomas Jefferson Think About This?" I have found yet another source of knowledge that I must thank Uncle Eric for. Yet after reading the great book "John Adams." I do not find that I have the awe and inspiration that allows me to make Jefferson my number one hero. Yes, he is a great man and I believe he was one of the greatest founders, however I find that I still place him behing George Washington and Adams on that account.

It is my philosophy just like it was Reverend Johathan Mayhew's and John Adam's that "The people, are required to obey their government's law only when it is in agreement with Higher Law. And if the government violates that charge, it is our duty, and we are bound the fight it with every resourse at our disposal."

In a related topic Mayhew was a true Reverend, and it is unfortunate that the term has been turned into such a basphemous title today for those who use and claim the name are anything but Reverend.

In any case this 6th book in Mr. Maybury's series is yet another collectors item and gives the reader a sound foundation by which to judge the literature they choose to absorb and contemplate in creating their own ideological awareness and positions of items of critical importance to our country and our people.

Sixth in a Series of Nine Books that can Change Your Life!
I have continued to read Mr. Maybury's books and the first five have filled me with knowledge and wonder at how uninformed I have been in the past about simple and basic issues that touch, influence and determine the coarse of a persons life each and evey day.

I have learned a great deal from his obvious intellectual prowess and his all encompassing views on many subjects and how they mesh together to form, affect and manipulate this world we live in.

One gets a sense of awe at how little they can trust those in power but how immensly important is it is that those without it stick together and ensure we be ever vigilante in our observations of elected officials. Those people we used to call public servants but who hav become nothing but self-indulgent life lont politicians. In other words they have become exactly what our Constitution and Bill of Rights were designed to prevent.

In this book, "What Would Thomas Jefferson Think About This?" I have found yet another source of knowledge that I must thank Uncle Eric for. Yet after reading the great book "John Adams." I do not find that I have the awe and inspiration that allows me to make Jefferson my number one hero. Yes, he is a great man and I believe he was one of the greatest founders, however I find that I still place him behind George Washington and Adams on that account.

It is my philosophy just like it was Reverend Johathan Mayhew's and John Adam's that "The people, are required to obey their government's law only when it is in agreement with Higher Law. And if the government violates that charge, it is our duty, and we are bound the fight it with every resourse at our disposal."

In a related topic Mayhew was a true Reverend, and it is unfortunate that the term has been turned into such a basphemous title today for those who use and claim the name are anything but Reverend.

In any case this 6th book in Mr. Maybury's series is yet another collectors item and gives the reader a sound foundation by which to judge the literature they choose to obsorb and contemplate in creating their own ideological awareness and positions of items of critical importance to our country and our people. ... Read more

Product Description
"A major contribution." Washington Post
The authoritative single-volume biography of Thomas Jefferson, perhaps the most significant figure in American history. He was a complex and compelling man: a fervent advocate of democracy who enjoyed the life of a southern aristocrat and owned slaves, a revolutionary who became president, a believer in states' rights who did much to further the power of the federal government. Drawing on the recent explosion of Jeffersonian scholarship and fresh readings of original sources, IN PURSUIT OF REASON is a monument to Jefferson that will endure for generations.
Amazon.com Review
The life of Thomas Jefferson, demonstrably the mostintellectual of America's presidents, has fascinated scholars forgenerations. A careful but elusive autobiographer, Jefferson leftbehind such a wealth of information about himself and his times thathe has fueled hundreds of studies. Noble Cunningham's one-volume lifeis somewhat dispassionate, giving only a little sense of Jefferson'sgreatness, but it covers the essential episodes in the FoundingFather's life with admirable balance and conciseness. Read this alongwith Joseph Ellis's American Sphinx: TheCharacter of Thomas Jefferson, and you'll have a very goodidea of why we continue to find the early statesman fascinating today.--Gregory MacNamee ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Too dry for such an interesting subject
I'm reading a biography of every US president in chronological order through Reagan.Since I've also already read Truman, I now have completed 4 with 36 to go.

Choosing a title for Jefferson was difficult.Thomas Jefferson seems to have become a politically polarizing figure in our time.I could make an attempt to determine the reasons for this, but the result is that it becomes difficult to find a single volume biography of the man that does not appear to have some pre-determined political objective.The same difficulty is apparent with certain other presidents (Lincoln, FDR and Reagan come to mind).

I finally settled on this one because it did not have any apparent political lean.After having read it, I was pleased to find that my expectation was realized.Except for a couple of pages of overt refutation of the Sally Hemmings accusation (which I find myself to be skeptical of anyways), the author keeps the focus to the middle of the road and procudes a pedantic, no frills, short account of the life of Thomas Jefferson.

And, that's just the problem with it.It's too dry.Jefferson, one of our most fascinating historical figures, seems almost dull in this book.I would expect that a good biography should be able to stay above the politically polarizing fray while at the same time, making the subject come to life.Cunningham never makes Jefferson really come to life.

To be fair, I had just finished the fantastic McCullough bio of John Adams.So, here, Cunningam must suffer the same fate of the poor little-known quarterback who follows after the retirement of John Elway.Cunningham is clearly a well-respected and well-learned Jefferson scholar.But, as a writer, he's less than impressive in my opinion.

Still, even though the writing was dry, I give it three stars for the achievement of paring down an enormous subject to 350 pages without making it seem too sparse.I believe all the key elements of Jefferson's life were identified and competently covered.And, after completing the book, I was satisfied that I learned the basics of his life, character, and the times he lived in.I just wouldn't want to read it again.

Good but short!
This book is a good short biography about Thomas Jefferson. After reading it I felt that I wanted to dig deeper then this book allowed so I bought Dumas Malone's 6 volume biography on Jefferson. I enjoyed that set from start to finish. There is nothing wrong with this book though. The writing style is wonderfull and the info is historiclly accurate it's just that it tells the bare bones stuff. I f you want a short compact bio that just gives the most important information then this is a good start.

Best one volume biography of Thomas Jefferson.
A very balanced biography.Cunningham's treatment of Thomas Jefferson is brief, yet peppered with the interesting caveats that give a personal feel to the President. Very readable, maybe to the point only wetting your taste for biographies of Jefferson.Recommended to all ages, reading levels, and interests.The very best, bar none, one volume biography of Thomas Jefferson.

EVERYBODY needs to read...........
....one biography of Thomas Jefferson, and this would not be a bad choice. This is not Dumas Malone or Merrill Peterson, and doesn't claim to be. What it is is a concise, well written, account of the life of the man who "invented" America, who gave us a way to build on our hard-won freedom, and govern ourselves. Dr. Cunningham hits ALL the significant points, and, more important, makes no errors of fact [at least that I could find]. In several places, the author is not afraid to say that further exploration of a topic is beyond his intended scope. Honesty, indeed.

My decision to give five stars rests on pages 114-116, where the Tom and Sally story is looked at, and dismissed as belonging in a work of fiction, especially the Paris part. Amen. Speaking of Paris, Maria Cosway is not dismissed [she can't be], but there is no excessive hand wringing, either.

I admit I did things backwards, reading this after Malone and Peterson. This is a basic work...in the number of pages that Dr. Cunningham takes to get Jefferson to his grave, Malone has him in the midst of tribulation as Governor of Virginia, and Peterson has him in temporary bliss with Maria Cosway. This is a fine choice for 99.999%+ of readers to read one biography...so is Joseph Ellis' "American Sphinx". Likewise Willard Sterne Randall's book, though it's kind of long. The books on various side topics of Jefferson's life are virtually infinite in number, and are for poor souls like me. Forget them, especially since many tell lies that the average reader won't catch. You can order a used copy of this for a dime; it's a LOT better book than that price would indicate.

Another Perspective on Cunningham's Book
While those who revel in the ponderous, intimate-portrait biographies that have become fashion recently may be disappointed, this work provides a well-rounded portrayal of one of America's most interesting historical figures.Jefferson's public life is well represented throughout this work (though there are aspects which receive insufficient treatment, such as the Lewis & Clark Expedition).Nonetheless, Jefferson's experiences in Paris during the French Revolution and as governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary War provide insights as to who he was and how he came to be a successful two-term President.

As for his private life, Cunningham provides ample coverage.There are references to Jefferson's many letters to his daughters, providinga "warts and all" depiction of the demanding father he was; references to his letters to Madison and Adams, giving some insights into their relationships; and, for those interested in the minutia of historical trivia, even references to the number of cartons of books lost during the fire that claimed his home at Shadwell.(Cunningham's one failing in this biography was the failure to investigate more seriously the relationship between Jefferson and Sally Hemmings, though the historical significance of this relationship remains debatable).

Nonetheless, eminently accessible to casual reader, and providing insights to the more interested observer, Cunningham's will more than whet the appetite of any Jefferson enthusiast. ... Read more

Product Description
Not trusting biographers with his story and frustrated by his friends’ failure to justify his role in the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson wrote his autobiography on his own terms at the age of seventy-seven. Yet he revealed little about himself and his family, choosing instead to address the various political concerns of the day. The resulting book ends, well before his death, with his return from France at the age of forty-six. Asked for additional details concerning his life, Jefferson often claimed to have a “decayed memory.” Fortunately, this shrewd politician, philosopher, architect, inventor, farmer, and scientist penned nearly eighteen thousand letters in his lifetime, saving almost every scrap he wrote.

In Jefferson on Jefferson, researcher Paul Zall returns to original manuscripts and correspondence for a new view of the statesman’s life. He extends the story where Jefferson left off, weaving excerpts from other writings—notes, rough drafts, and private correspondence—with passages from the original autobiography. Jefferson reveals his grief over the death of his daughter, details his hotly contested election against John Adams (decided by the House of Representatives), expresses his thoughts on religion, and tells of life at Monticello.

The result is a new and more complex portrait of a man who was often bitter about the past and insecure about his place in history. With notes and a helpful introduction, Jefferson on Jefferson offers readers a new glimpse into the life of Thomas Jefferson, as told by Jefferson himself. ... Read more