Becoming Jefferson's People: Re-Inventing the American Republic in the Twenty-First Century

by Clay S. Jenkinson

Thomas Jefferson was the principal dreamer of the Founding Fathers. Pragmatic utopian and practical visionary, Jefferson was one of the most creative men who ever lived. He penned the thirty-five most revolutionary words in the history of the English "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." Humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson has written a bold call for a Jeffersonian renewal in America. "We need the Sage of Monticello's vision as we begin what is the most difficult periods of American history." The Jeffersonian consists of self-reliance, an uncompromising dedication to liberty (over security, profit, comfort, and tradition), an unambiguous wall of seperation between church and state, first-rate public education, thoughtfulness and diffidence about America's place in the world, and a commitment to civility. Jefferson brought genius (not to mention reason, good sense, and idealism) to whatever he undertook, and he believed that the purpose of America was not to seek glory and profit in the world's arena, but to build a nation of equality, justice, and cultural achievement. Becoming Jefferson's People is part manifesto, part call for a new political persuasion in the United States, part self-help book, and part critique of the consumerist world empire that the United States has become at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, Biography, Philosophy

131 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Clay Jenkinson is one of the most sought-after humanities scholars in the United States

A cultural commentator who has devoted most of his professional career to public humanities programs, Clay Jenkinson has been honored by two presidents for his work. On November 6, 1989, he received from President George Bush one of the first five Charles Frankel Prizes, the National Endowment for the Humanities highest award (now called the National Humanities Medal), at the nomination of the NEH Chair, Lynne Cheney. On April 11, 1994, he was the first public humanities scholar to present a program at a White House-sponsored event when he presented Thomas Jefferson for a gathering hosted by President and Mrs. Clinton. When award-winning humanities documentary producer Ken Burns turned his attention to Thomas Jefferson, he asked Clay Jenkinson to be the major humanities commentator. Since his first work with the North Dakota Humanities Council in the late 1970s, including a pioneering first-person interpretation of Meriwether Lewis, Clay Jenkinson has made thousands of presentations throughout the United States and its territories, including Guam and the Northern Marianas.

In 2008, Clay became the director of The Dakota Institute through The Lewis & Clark, Fort Mandan Foundation, to further expand his humanities programs with documentary films, symposiums and literary projects. He is also the Chief Consultant for the Theodore Roosevelt Center through Dickinson State University and conducts an annual lecture series for Bismarck State College.

Clay is also widely sought after as a commencement speaker (he has several honorary doctorates); as a facilitator of teacher institutes on Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Classical Culture, the Millennium, and other topics; as a lecturer on topics ranging from the "Unresolved Issues of the Millennium," to the "Character of Meriwether Lewis"; as a consultant to a range of humanities programs, chiefly first person historical interpretation (Chautauqua). Best known for his award-winning historical impersonations of Thomas Jefferson, Clay Jenkinson also impersonates other characters, including Meriwether Lewis, John Wesley Powell, Robert Oppenheimer, Theodore Roosevelt and John Steinbeck.

Clay Jenkinson can:

Serve as a cultural commentator on a range of topics
Conduct humanities institutes and cultural tours
Present historical programs in character with audiance interaction.
Provide live video programs through i-Chat to your classroom or business.
The rates for Clay Jenkinson's professional humanities presentations will vary. if you are interested in more information or in booking or contacting Clay Jenkinson for any professionally related reason, please call Nancy Franke a Dakota Sky Education, Inc at toll free at 1 888 828 2853 or e-mail at nfranke@comcast.net

Public Speaking
If you are interested in knowing more about Clay's topics and characters, please visit http://dakotaskyed.wordpress.com. The views on the mentioned website are Clay Jenkinson's and do not reflect the views of The Thomas Jefferson Hour® nor any of its sponsors.

Social Commentary
Clay Jenkinson is a popular social commentator. While on The Thomas Jefferson Hour®, Clay strictly adheres to the rules of being a humanities scholar (neutrality). If you are interested in Clay's personal views, please consider reading Clay's Weekly Columns.

The views on the mentioned website are Clay Jenkinson's and do not reflect the views of The Thomas Jefferson Hour nor any of its sponsors.
http://www.jeffersonhour.com/about%20...

Reviews

[Pablo Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book would make a great starter for a discussion group on modern day politics and culture. I read one section every day and took time to think over each point. Clay Jenkinson really makes sense and is very well-educated in Jefferson's philosophy.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and well-written. I now strive to be a Jeffersonian.

[Sebastián Jaén · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book in its style is very well written. However, it seems that the author is describing a guide for becoming Jefferson's clones. I thought the author would contextualize more about Jefferson's theories in these days and convince us why they are still valid. But the author has suggestions about how to become jeffersonians by drinking fine wine and writing handwritten letters. That's, with all my respect for the author, completely ridiculous.

The book is not for people who desire to deepen their knowledge of Jefferson's ideas as an alternative for modern America. I follow the Thomas Jefferson hour and I was surprisingly disappointed by this book.

[Kenneth Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really neat little book, broken down into sections of just a couple of pages each, making it easy to read one or two a day, and consider how to be more Jeffersonian. I look forward to reading "Repairing Jefferson's America"

[Samuel R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read and will certainly cause you to think some.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becoming Jefferson's People: Re-inventing the American Republic in the Twenty-first Century urges change within the American political system. The author believes that the current political system, including both democrats and republicans, has become focused on keeping the status quo no despite the ultimate costs to the country. In this way, right to free speech and potentially new ideas have been restricted while cynicism and apathy have flourished. This book looks to Thomas Jefferson for guidance.

Thomas Jefferson, as a man and as third president of the United States (1801-1809), was not a perfect man. He was a slave owner, a racist, and an apartheidist. Conversely, however, Jefferson was also an idealist, a free thinker, and a radical that believed that change was beneficial in keeping the nation strong. It is these more positive qualities and other like ideals that the author believes that politicians should adopt in rebuilding a stronger nation.

To this end, this book examines the ideal qualities of a Jeffersonian politician. Each of these qualities is examined in detail and then examined for potential adaptation to present concerns. Though this book focuses on founding and traditional political ideals, many of these ideals would also be beneficial if adopted in our daily life and the way we as individuals look at the world.

[AngieA Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of topical essays is a pick up and open anywhere book and is excellent for provoking thought. I don't always agree with our esteemed founder but I find the pursuit of ways to prove my point stimulating. I recently started using the book as a way to rebutt arguments of an aquaintance who practically worships Jefferson and gives him saintly attributes which, frankly, I don't believe he possesed. For almost every quote this person comes up with, I can show an opinion 180 degrees different in this book. Jefferson was not wholly consistant or constant. For all of his waffling ways, he was brilliant and deserves his place in the founders panthion. I should like to converse with him when I reach the other side. I found this volume interesting, also, for the "interpretation" given by Clay Jenkinson, the compiler. He wants us to adopt Jeffersonian ideas to the 21st Century and gives us the ideas we need to pursue them. It is my opinion that Jefferson was a man of his time and while we may be able to expand on his ideas, we are obliged to come up with our own solutions to today's problems. Jenkinson generally allows that this is true and takes the essence of Jefferson into our time. I keep this book on my nightstand and open it at randem to stimulate the grey matter. Lovely. Thanks to Denise for the personalized autographed copy!

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is really difficult to reconcile some of Jefferson's lofty ideals with the man as a slave owner. It is impossible to know what any of us would have done in his situation of course. However, how many decades can a man write about "freedom" while keeping others in bondage? So while I embrace many of the ideas and principles written about in this book, you always have to remember, here is a man who could not or would not "walk the talk."
I agree with the author, though, that our society, our country and our world would be, can be a better place if we would adopt some of these ideas.
Just look at how many people vote in school board and city council election to see how totally unconcerned most of us are with how we are governed. And now, with easier access to more information than any time in history, there is little reason to be able to say "I didn't know" when government takes us down a path not of our liking.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quick, easy read, but provided lots of food for thought about political systems past and present and how the current parties have evolved over the years. It's very difficult to imagine how Jefferson's political philosophies could be applied to what are obviously very different conditions now, especially the global nature of things now compared to his times, but worth contemplating.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for book club and at our discussion today, we decided that Jenkinson's interpretation of living a Jeffersonian life in this day and age is not much different than joining a voluntary simplicity movement and serving one's community--all good things, nothing too enlightening or revolutionary.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this guy live impersonating Thomas Jefferson. He is brilliant. Jenkinson knows everything about Jefferson. He also does Theodore Roosevelt. He is also seen on the PBS documentary about our national parks. This guy is an amazing source of information and does us all a great service with this book.

[Colin Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clever, slim little book that outlines and explores the essentials of Jeffersonianism. It is not, however, a long, thoroughly researched academic text (despite what the title might suggest), nor is it meant to be. Becoming Jefferson's People is a suggestion, a place to begin, and a successful one at that.

[Woody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I do wish Jenkinson had dealt more fully with Jefferson's 'shadow', and used his selfishness, debt, and slavery as a lens to explore how American may move forward and deal with our collective legacy of slavery, debt, etc., but maybe that's a topic for another book.

Anyway, I hope for a paperback edition so that I can buy copies to give away to friends.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have see the author perform Jefferson twice! The book is simple and a quick read that, if followed, you will become a true Jeffersonian! Too bad I am a Hamiltonian though...

[David Pedrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone, period. Clay Jenkinson has won me over into studying one of Americas great men.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a huge Clay Jenkins fan and listen to the NPR “Jefferson Hour” every week. This is his voice and intellect to a historical story. Wonderfully done.

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent breakdown of Jefferson's philosophy by way of relating what we should be doing in our lives in the 21'st century. Recommended.