Thomas Jefferson

by Alan Axelrod

Critical Thomas Jefferson explores the historical, political, intellectual and cultural significance of the U.S.' third president―who he was, what he did, why we remember him in a way we don't remember many of his contemporaries. Coverage includes Jefferson as the country boy who travels to Williamsburg, Virginia, the revolutionary as a "silent" member of the Continental Congress, the politician as the Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State and U.S. President, and as the philosopher of Monticello. This book also discusses Jefferson as a lover and his connection to the slave, Sally Hemmings.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Alan Axelrod, Ph.D., is a prolific author of history, business and management books. As of October 2018, he had written more than 150 books, as noted in an online introduction by Lynn Ware Peek before an interview with Axelrod on the National Public Radio station KPCW. Axelrod resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reviews

[Gerard Alfani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for a person who knows a small amount about Jefferson. Or a person who wants to refresh their knowledge about the third president of the U.S.A. A great book for today’s common man to learn what America is all about.

[Shuli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read with lots of interesting history.
To be noted is that the book is written by a clear admirer of Thomas Jefferson and certain bias can be seen. As the chapters go on, the bias becomes more evident. Parts of the writings may very well be speculative as the author sees fit, for instance, the actions and outcomes of Jefferson were not in accordance with his "ideology" - could the author read his mind? He concluded based on his own interpretation of Jefferson by Jefferson's own writing, maybe. But who is to know if a man writes what he truly believes or writes what he thinks right and perpetuates into history?

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an insightful and easy-to-read work on the life of Thomas Jefferson--it is balanced in the portrayal of the major events of his life, from youth until death, and it reads nearly like a novel. Other biographies on Jefferson might shine more light on various aspects of his personage, his mind, his spirit, his politics, or even his genealogy, but this book does a fine job of conveying a little of each without feeling dense or over-spread.

[Dwight Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting insightful story of Jefferson's life from governor of Virginia to President of USA.