Thomas Jefferson - Hardcover

Bernstein, Richard Bruce

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195169115 ISBN 13: 9780195169119

Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr, 2003

Synopsis

A definitive short biography of Thomas Jefferson covers such topics as his luxurious but debt-burdened life as a Virginia gentleman, his passionate belief in democracy, his defense of slavery, his relationship with Sally Hemings, and his contributions to America as a writer, inventor, and party leader. (Biography)

About this title

Review:

"The best short biography of Jefferson ever written...highly recommended for those who want a brief and historically reliable account of this incredibly complicated character.... Authoritative, judicious, clearly written and remarkably complete."―Gordon S. Wood, The New York Times Book Review

"Bernstein...in his marvelous little book gives us an objective account of what made President Jefferson the looming figure he is and why he occupies a central place in our history. Mr. Bernstein's work is so complete, yet concise, that I'm tempted to call it "the pocket Jefferson." But that would not do. The notion of Mr. Jefferson―or of Mr. Bernstein's research―being pocket-sized is misleading. The book may be trim enough to fit inside a very large pocket, but it will fill your heart and mind."―Hon. Albert Rosenblatt, New York Court of Appeals,New York Law Journal

"Bernstein's Jefferson is a brilliant success. There is nothing like it in the literature."―Peter Onuf, Thomas Jefferson Foundation Professor of History, University of Virginia

"Bernstein proposes that his narrative is balanced among the clashing opinions of professional historians; we in the grandstands, however, can cheer Bernstein's offering as a capable, interpretive survey of Jefferson's long and verbose life....The author strongly emphasizes Jefferson's democrat ic ideals and his practical enactment of them in his political career. However crowded the TJ shelf, libraries should allow room for Bernstein's compact, competent contribution. ― Gilbert Taylor, Booklist

"Here, in just 200 pages of text, is an eminently readable, insightful and fair account of the life and times of the third president of the United States.... Bernstein's book [is] lucid, fascinating."―Roanoke Times

"His marvelous little book gives us an objective account of what made President Jefferson the looming figure he is and why he occupies a central place in our history. Mr. Bernstein's work is so complete, yet concise, that I'm tempted to call it 'the pocket Jefferson.' But that would not do. The notion of Mr. Jefferson―or of Mr. Bernstein's research―being pocket-sized is misleading. The book may be trim enough to fit inside a very large pocket, but it will fill your heart and mind."―New York Law Journal

"A capable, interpretive survey of Jefferson's long and verbose life.... The author strongly emphasizes Jefferson's democratic ideals and his practical enactment of them in his political career. However crowded the TJ shelf, libraries should allow room for Bernstein's compact, competent contribution."―Booklist

"R. B. Bernstein has produced a fascinating, extremely intelligent examination of the life of Thomas Jefferson. With a clear eye and deft historical touch, Bernstein reminds us why studying Jefferson and his world will always remain central to understanding the development of the American character."―Annette Gordon-Reed, author of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy

"Veteran historian Bernstein pulls off a remarkable feat: he writes of Jefferson and his 'ambiguous legacies' with utter serenity, detachment and balance. He takes no sides and offers no particular arguments about the man. Instead, in prose of the utmost directness and clarity, Bernstein simply lays out the great founder's life in all its complexities, achievements and, at the end, ruin.... Anyone wanting to brush up on Jefferson's life or gain exposure to the latest findings about it will find this book of huge value. It will be most valuable to those seeking an introduction to Jefferson's life and achievements. There's little doubt that the book will become the standard brief one-volume biography of someone who was 'the leading spokesman for the revolution of ideas that changed...the face of America and the world.'"―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Bernstein has brought as much clarity to a famously elusive subject as anyone can, and he's done it all at concise, readable length."―Christian Science Monitor

About the Author:

R. B. Bernstein is Adjunct Professor of Law at the New York Law School and director of online operations at Heights Books, Inc. The author or editor of eighteen books on American constitutional history, includingAre We to Be a Nation? and Amending America (both nominees for the Pulitzer, Bancroft, and Parkman Prizes), he lives in Brooklyn, New York.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0195169115
• ISBN 13: 9780195169119
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 253