Thomas Jefferson: The Failures And Greatness Of An Ordinary Man

by Jonathan Sistine

To study Jefferson is to ascend a mountain, its peak awash in veiling mists. He was the embodiment of the Enlightment man, the perfect synthesis of classicist, scientist, and visionary. How can we hope to understand such a towering figure? The Sage of Monticello, deified in American politics, speaks across the ages like a patriotic Moses, or Buddha, or Christ. Or so his disciples would have us believe. The real Thomas Jefferson was an ordinary man, with all the usual failings. Molded by the culture of the Virginia planter class, he fought against tyranny while oppressing his own slaves. He institutionalized racist attitudes, bickered with his rivals, lusted after other men's wives, and kept his own mixed-race children in bondage. Yet his accomplishments are too spectacular to be denied. The Declaration of Independence, the Louisiana Purchase, he even abolished taxes (for awhile). As a Founding Father, his contributions eclipsed all the rest. Without Jefferson, the American experiment might have ended before it began. So how can we make sense of his personal failings in the context of his great works? Thomas The Failures and Greatness of an Ordinary Man looks at Jefferson from the ground up, finding handholds in his love of Greek literature and fine wine, his affection for friends and family, and the compromises he deemed necessary for the survival of the nation. By exploring his relationships, the reader is invited into Jefferson's sanctum sanctorum, to stare unblinking at his complexity and follow truth where it leads.

Genres: Biography

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 19, 2016

Reviews

[Jeff Cunningham · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utterly disappointing and simplistic

The author set out to vilify Jefferson, not explain. In doing so he retreats into speculation when evidence is lacking, and offers tendentious, moralism when insight would be in order. Readers will have to look elsewhere for a genuine historians view. As it is, this reads like a political opponents tired screed against a foe.

[Ed Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bringing His Humanity To The Fore

The Founding Fathers are more legend than reality in our culture. They were mere mortals. Men, with human failings, frailties and imperfections. This biography is well balanced - discussing Jefferson’s complexities and contradictions - with a fair bit on his family…including Sally Hemings. A good read for someone who wants to better understand the humanity of Jefferson and not just the sound bites. A good read.

[Cheryl Crowder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat disappointed

As stated there were shortcomings with Jefferson and that his ownership of slaves. So noted, but his contributions to this country are enormous and this authors attention is more on his misgivings than on his value to this nation.

[Donna Peake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please do not allow this Founding Father to be erased in history. He was a man of his times and so much more.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy history

I have always enjoyed reading about history. I have strong feeling about Thomas Jefferson. I won’t go into that here

[Stephen Ager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Balanced portrait of a President

The author did a good job of presenting all facets of Jefferson the man. One improvement of the online version of the book would be a closer look at grammatical usage and sentence structure.