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Thomas Jefferson (The American Presidents #3)
An illuminating analysis of the man whose name is synonymous with American democracy
Few presidents have embodied the American spirit as fully as Thomas Jefferson. He was the originator of so many of the founding principles of American democracy. Politically, he shuffled off the centralized authority of the Federalists, working toward a more diffuse and minimalist leadershi...more
Few presidents have embodied the American spirit as fully as Thomas Jefferson. He was the originator of so many of the founding principles of American democracy. Politically, he shuffled off the centralized authority of the Federalists, working toward a more diffuse and minimalist leadershi...more
Hardcover, 208 pages
Published
February 1st 2003
by Times Books
(first published 2003)
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In his biography of Thomas Jefferson, titled "American Sphinx," Joseph Ellis tellingly says at one point (Page xvii): "As I have found him, there really is a core of convictions and apprehensions at his center. Although he was endlessly elusive and extraordinarily adroit at covering his tracks, there were bedrock Jeffersonian values that determined the shape of the political vision he projected so successfully onto his world. . . ."
Joyce Appleby, author of this brief volume in The American Pres...more
Joyce Appleby, author of this brief volume in The American Pres...more
This was a decent, short bio of Jefferson, however, at the end Appleby starts haranguing about Jefferson's moral failures - from her seat in the 21st century world. She basically blames all of America's racial problems on Jefferson implying that if he had only freed his slaves we never would have had racial issues. Right. No book is written without bias, however, the author here was clearly (and openly) not capable of letting Jefferson live in his century, rather she expected him to live in her...more
Professor Appleby has presented a generally thoughtful account of the life, thought, and public service of America's third president, Thomas Jefferson. She presents an insightful examination of his contradictions, such as being a champion of freedom without including the slaves, or advocate of states' rights while increasing the power of the federal government when it suited him. However, in the end, there is just too much hand-wringing about Jefferson's failure to live up to (21st century) libe...more
Appleby's Thomas Jefferson is a moderately interesting book. The author seems not to create a powerful narrative about the life of Jefferson, brushing up on secondary themes but without adressing in details the most interesting parts of his administration.
Honest work, I would suggest it to those interested in the complexity of Jefferson's mind, but it remains less interesting as a initiation lecture than Jon Meacham's Art of Power.
Honest work, I would suggest it to those interested in the complexity of Jefferson's mind, but it remains less interesting as a initiation lecture than Jon Meacham's Art of Power.
Editor's Notes
1] A Pivotal Election
2] Defining His Presidency
3] Interpreting the Constitution in a Republican Fashion
4] A Painful Reelection
5] Context for the West
6] Foreign Policy Proves a Quagmire
7] Coming to Terms with Thomas Jeffereson
Epilogue
Notes
Milestones
Note on Sources
Selected Bibliography Index
1] A Pivotal Election
2] Defining His Presidency
3] Interpreting the Constitution in a Republican Fashion
4] A Painful Reelection
5] Context for the West
6] Foreign Policy Proves a Quagmire
7] Coming to Terms with Thomas Jeffereson
Epilogue
Notes
Milestones
Note on Sources
Selected Bibliography Index
Jun 22, 2012
L. Hager
added it
An excellent survey of Jefferson's two terms, with a focus on his inconsistencies between freedom and slavery. This short volume is good preparation for a visit to Monticello.
Aug 03, 2011
Gail Hoskins
added it
Deals primarily with Jefferson's presidency. Very interesting analysis of his problem with the Federalists and the start of party politics.
Excellent read. Heavy reading at times. But very informative about that exciting time in our history.
Sep 23, 2010
Craig J.
added it
Thomas Jefferson: (The American Presidents Series) by Joyce Appleby (2003)
A dry read, but interesting nonetheless.
Disconnected, choppy, etc
This book showed a well rounded picture of who Thomas Jefferson was. It tried to look at all of the amazing things he did, as well as, his philosophies that I dislike now. I would read another book by this author.
May 16, 2013
Jenn M
marked it as to-read
Mar 17, 2013
Adele
marked it as to-read
Feb 05, 2013
Sarah
marked it as to-read
Feb 02, 2013
Tim Smith
marked it as to-read
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