In winning Lincoln at Gettysburg, Saint Augustine, the best-selling Why I Am a Catholic, and Henry Adams and the Making of America.
read full description
reviews
Nov 04, 2010
Eric_W
rated it: 
Garry Wills is one of the few people I'd really like to meet and have over for dinner, although his intelligence would make me shrivel. His writing is so thoughtful and erudite. He never ceases to astonish me with his insights.
The Negro President exams the election of 1800 through the biographies of Thomas Pickering, the anti-slavery arch Federalist and opponent of Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, and Thomas Jefferson and the impact the 3/5ths rule in the Constitution had on the outcom More...
The Negro President exams the election of 1800 through the biographies of Thomas Pickering, the anti-slavery arch Federalist and opponent of Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, and Thomas Jefferson and the impact the 3/5ths rule in the Constitution had on the outcom More...
3 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Jul 26, 2011
Justin
rated it: 
An excellent tome that illustrates with precision all the various baleful consequences that were the direct product of the United States' very own "mark of Cain": the compromise over the institution of slavery that was essential to the ratification of the new Constitution.
This should be a work that is read by a wide audience, preferably at a young age; more likely, it will be read by a small niche of upper-middle class liberals, preaching to the choir as it were.
More...
This should be a work that is read by a wide audience, preferably at a young age; more likely, it will be read by a small niche of upper-middle class liberals, preaching to the choir as it were.
More...
Dec 28, 2009
Tony
rated it:
Wills, Gary. “BLACK PRESIDENT”: Jefferson and the Slave Power. (2003). ****. Wills is an adjunct Professor of History at Northwestern, and has written extensively on subjects in history and on Catholicism. He won the Pulitzer Prize for History with his book, “Lincoln at Gettysburg.” In this fascinating book, he takes another look at President Jefferson and his policies and the events during his presidency that were facilitated and achieved by virtue of slave “representation.” As a compr
More...
Feb 01, 2010
Evan
rated it:
Just started and already a fascinating premise,
This was one of the more interesting books I've read about this period.
Several Jefferson books I've read have the authors puzzling over the apparent contradiction between Jefferson's beautiful high-minded words and his many lowly actions, particularly as President.
Wills puts those questions to rest. It's easy to understand, he writes, once you put them all in the category of before the Constitution was adopted, and after.
More...
This was one of the more interesting books I've read about this period.
Several Jefferson books I've read have the authors puzzling over the apparent contradiction between Jefferson's beautiful high-minded words and his many lowly actions, particularly as President.
Wills puts those questions to rest. It's easy to understand, he writes, once you put them all in the category of before the Constitution was adopted, and after.
More...
Feb 12, 2008
Thomas
rated it: 
It is ironic how many of the freedoms that Americans hold dear were established by slave holders. Negro President shines a light behind this irony and shows us the grim skeleton beneath, the political hack-work that was the three-fifths clause, and how power was vested in the republicans by virtue of those who not only had no political representation, they didn't even own their own bodies. But Wills is a solid historian, and provides the counterbalancing details, the chief of which is the story
More...
Nov 01, 2009
Don
rated it:
The three-fifths clause of the Constitution gave the slave-holding aristocracy an iron grip on the government of the U.S. far in excess of what they would have had otherwise. It guaranteed the protection of slavery and dominated public policy until the Civil War.
Dec 04, 2011
Michael
rated it:
A very dense and in-depth study of Thomas Jefferson, Timothy Pickering, and how the slave vote shaped America. Wills has a fairly negative view of the oft revered Jefferson, but provides ample evidence for his argument. This is a must read for anyone who is interested in how our nation and its values were actually formed. It is a good reminder that the "good ol' days" weren't all that good. Politics have always been politics.
Aug 21, 2009
Kyle
rated it:
Excellent! It will change your view of certain people in American history.
Oct 29, 2008
David
rated it: 
This book should have been titled "Timothy Pickering and the Federalists". If you are looking for more information about Thomas Jefferson this is the wrong book to read. Garry Wills wanted to sell more books. It was educational to learn more about this minor politician. The book is well written but not any more information about Jefferson except for the "Pickering" thorn in backside.
Jun 17, 2008
Very intriguing and detailed historical reference on Thomas Jefferson's role in the establishment of slave power and the "3/4 rule" in early American government
Sep 28, 2007
Billy
rated it:
One of myriad means of reminding yourself the extent to which our political system is built upon slavery. The Founders are not entitled to reverence.
Jul 25, 2008
Martin
rated it:
More brilliant insight into our third president - and this extremely complicated election - from a writer i really admire.
Sep 21, 2010
Linda
rated it:
I give this a 3.5. Parts of it are absolutely fascinating--the powerful political influence of slaves' 3/5 vote.
Jun 04, 2009
Jim
rated it:
Interesting take on the long term affects of the 3/5 compromise. Gave the South a political power unwarranted by their free population, the effects which are still seen today...
Feb 05, 2012
Jan 27, 2012
Jan 12, 2012
Jan 01, 2012
Dec 31, 2011
Dec 03, 2011
Nov 27, 2011
Nov 02, 2011
Sep 14, 2011
