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50 Book Challenge : Gordon361,s maybe 50		61	gordon361, Friday 2:46pm
US Presidents Challenge : 3 - Thomas Jefferson		60	lindapanzo, December 4
100 Books Challenge for 2009 : cyderry - give it a try		219	cyderry, December 2
50 Book Challenge : InfoPump since June 2009		95	infopump, November 25
50 Book Challenge : Post-Grad School Enlightenment ()		14	calwakeel, November 12
1010 Category Challenge : callen610's 10/10/10 Challenge		19	callen610, November 10
What Are You Reading Now? : What Are You Reading the Week of October 31, 2009?		201	teelgee, November 7
US Presidents Challenge : 1 George Washington		72	Garp83, October 4
Political Conservatives : Presidential Biographies		69	noldaker, October 3
999 Challenge : Cheli's 3rd Qtr		60	cmbohn, September 1
US Presidents Challenge : Presidential Tickers		33	auntmarge64, August 20
US Presidents Challenge : Vice Presidents		3	infopump, August 5
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Cyderry - 2008 done, time to look to 2009		139	nannybebette, July 30
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : What We Are Reading - Nonfiction		448	Bridget770, July 15
999 Challenge : Cyderry's 999 list 2nd Qtr		59	MusicMom41, July 9
American History : Looking for a book on James Madison		4	morryb, July 3
50 Book Challenge : BJ reads 50+ in 2009		331	billiejean, June 3
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : drneutron's Books in 2009		299	drneutron, April 18
999 Challenge : cyderry's 999 list		186	cyderry, April 1
999 Challenge : February 2009--what are you reading?		122	cmbohn, February 28
The Green Dragon : February Reads 2009		159	RitaFaye, February 27
999 Challenge : What are you reading right now?		255	naastik, February 1
The Green Dragon : Books that came into your home in January		89	Shanra, January 31
999 Challenge : ShanM816's 999 challenge		12	ShanM816, January 12
What Are You Reading Now? : What Are You Reading the Week of 25 October 2008		185	mckait, November 2008
What Are You Reading Now? : What Are You Reading the Week of 18 October 2008?		188	bakersfieldbarbara, October 2008
American History : How do you read History		9	oldtrustylegs, August 2008
Dormant: Biographies, Memoirs and Autobiographies : Message Board		50	varielle, March 2008
Dormant: Lists : Wish List		4	AnnaClaire, February 2008
Dormant: Historical Fiction : Looking for American Revolution stories		18	Caramellunacy, April 2007
Dormant: Book talk : Biographies anyone?		31	SmileyKye, March 2007

20) American Sphinx. A pretty objective look at some of Th. Jefferson's more important moments and his legacy, a very analytical assesment. 367 to add makes 8077. Now, finally, the ER.

... Hemingses of Monticello - I don't want to leave that world quite yet, so I'm looking for a good Jefferson biography. Maybe American Sphinx? I'm also about 1/3 through Script & Scribble - a book about writing and penmanship. It's pretty good so far.

... (Molly Haskell) The Purity Myth: How America's Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women (Jessica Valenti) American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson (Joseph J. Ellis) Why People Believe Weird Things (Michael Shermer) Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born ...

American Sphinx was outstanding Marge. I think what people often overlook is that those who are brilliant -- Jefferson, Lincoln, Einstein, perhaps JFK -- can think on a multiplicity of levels that can be contradictory to each other. Is this mental illness. For David Foster Wallace it certainly ...

Finished American Sphinx. What a great book! It's not a biography and largely skips several periods in his adult life (such as his second presidential term), which was a bit disconcerting for someone with little knowledge of his life. But enough is included to give the reader the necessary ...

I read American Sphinx because I wasn't sure how a felt about TJ after reading about the 1800 election and his writings. If you think he came off badly in this book, Jefferson's Vendetta really shows him in a bad light. I'm not trying to say that the man was a worthless human being, but IMHO, ...

I'm only 1/3 of the way through American Sphinx, but I have to sound off (I don't know anyone else who gives a hoot about any of the Presidents except the recent ones, so you all are it for my sounding board). "Sphinx" and "enigmatic": Bull! It's pretty clear he was just a self-centered ...

... Adams-Jefferson correspondance that I may read one day. If you are looking for a Jefferson book, I would urge you to read American Sphinx. You've already read Ellis so you know you won't be disappointed

... - James Madison :The Presidents Series Best of Award Winners: Mistress of the Art of Death Worst of Award Winners : American Sphinx Best of Surprise Books: My Sisters Keeper Worst of Surprise books: Getting Old is Murder (not really bad) Best of Harry Potter related : Harry P ...

... ckers"> 1. His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis 2. John Adams by David McCullough 3. The American Sphinx by Joseph Ellis 4. James Madison by Garry Wills 5. The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness by Harlow Giles ...

... read a number of books on Jefferson or that feature Jefferson as a major character over the years. The best in my view was American Sphinx because it truly captures the complexity and contradictions of this brilliant man who seemed to possess the uncanny ability to hold two competing views in ...

... and how little I'm liking Jefferson at the moment, looking at him from the perspective given by Ellis. (I've got Ellis' American Sphinx for my Jefferson book, so that should be an interesting juxtaposition.)

45 - finished 8/7/2009 Title: American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson Author: Joseph J. Ellis

American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph J. Ellis - finished 8/7/2009

... Sage: The Character and Legacy of John Adams by Joseph J. Ellis - finished 8/5/2009 #02 - Thomas Jefferson American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph J. Ellis - finished 8/7/2009 #03 - Aaron Burr Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr by Nancy Isenberg ...

... Sage: The Character and Legacy of John Adams by Joseph J. Ellis - finished 8/5/2009 #03 - Thomas Jefferson American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph J. Ellis - finished 8/7/2009 Diagnosing Jefferson : evidence of a condition that guided his beliefs, ...

... Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson Technical Learning Python by Mark Lutz Non-fiction American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph J. Ellis

... Award JILL CHURCHILL READ 6/2/09 5.6 THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE British Book Award READ 5/16/09 5.7 AMERICAN SPHINX: THE CHARACTER OF THOMAS JEFFERSON READ 2/4/09 5.8 STILL LIFE - Penny - Barry Award First Novel READ 3/1/09 BONUS POINT 5.9 MISTRESS ...

... Monticello and Paris. After I finished reading, I wanted to stay in Jefferson's world for a little longer, which led me to American Sphinx, then John Adams, then His Excellency, and then to this reading group :) I think the reason the book gets some bad reviews is people are looking ...

... ****, Washington's Crossing *** #2 - John Adams John Adams ****, Adams vs. Jefferson *** #3 - Thomas Jefferson American Sphinx ****, The Hemingses of Monticello ***** #4 - James Madison James Madison: The American Presidents Series **, A Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the C ...

... es. I just started one of the election of 1800 books by John Ferling called Adams vs. Jefferson. I am also planning for American Sphinx by Joseph Ellis (which does seem to be one of our more popular Jefferson books. Others I plan to read include one on Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase. ...

... OINT 5.5 The Husband Trap - RITA Award 5.6 THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE British Book Award READ 5/16/09 5.7 AMERICAN SPHINX: THE CHARACTER OF THOMAS JEFFERSON READ 2/4/09 5.8 STILL LIFE - Penny - Barry Award First Novel READ 3/1/09 BONUS POINT 5.9 What the Dea ...

I read American Sphinx for my Jefferson bio. It's by Ellis and written in much the same style as His Excellency. Since I like the first, I was pretty sure I'd like the Jefferson book, and in fact, I did. I'm reading The Presidency of James Madison for Madison and also Rutland's American Presid ...

I'm currently reading His Excellency and I have both John Adams and American Sphinx on the backburner. Maybe I should take a closer look at the Presidents Challenge group. I'd like to read biographies of most if not all the presidents. Another interesting one about Jefferson is The Hemin ...

Just finished American Sphinx last night - gave it a pretty good review. I thought Ellis' choice of vignettes with lots of analysis of Jefferson's thinking nicely complemented McCullough's John Adams biography, which covers the same time period in a more traditional biography format.

27. American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph J. Ellis There's been a lot of words written about Thomas Jefferson. It seems like everyone has tried to claim his legacy to further their own cause. In American Sphinx, Joseph Ellis tried to get past the ideal Jefferson to ...

Here's my February summary: The best of the month was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows American Sphinx: The character of Thomas Jefferson A short history of nearly Everything Crocodile on the sandbank Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter (Analysis ...

... of our nation. Here's my February summary: The best of the month was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows American Sphinx: The character of Thomas Jefferson A short history of nearly Everything Crocodile on the sandbank Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry ...

Yay! I finally finished American Sphinx!!!! :o)

BJ, yes I would recommend American Sphinx. A good informative, easy, read! I would suggest John Adams by David McCullough. I did not read this one but I've heard it's excellent. He also did a bio on Truman that was one of my absolute favorites. You can check my library on my profile page ...

#91 Hi, Mark! Did you like American Sphinx? You know in print, it just doesn't look like a word to me! I think that's because I am getting old. I was thinking of getting that book for Jefferson. The book that I have for Adams is John Adams: Party of One and for Madison, I have The Last of ...

I finished American Sphinx and decided to give up on A short history of nearly everything. Now I'm listening to Crocodile on the Sandbank and reading Ultimate Unofficial guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter.

... to his writings, I was still not happy with the other areas of his life and I need more, so Again I moved on. I completed American Sphinx:The Character of Thomas Jefferson. I found out much concerning the character of this man and some of the info I wanted for his lifetime, but still have a ...

#20 American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson Author: Joseph J. Ellis Read: Jan 21 - Feb 3 Category: 4. Biographies/History Pages: 365 Thomas Jefferson throughout this book appears as paradox, constantly revealed as a mass of contradictions between his written word ...

#20 American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson Author: Joseph J. Ellis Read: Jan 21 - Feb 3 Category: 5. Award Winners - National Book Award Pages: 365 Thomas Jefferson throughout this book appears as paradox, constantly revealed as a mass of contradictions between ...

#19 American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson Author: Joseph J. Ellis Read: Jan 21 - Feb 3 Category: 4. Biographies/History Pages: 365 Thomas Jefferson throughout this book appears as paradox, constantly revealed as a mass of contradictions between his written word ...

I'm still reading American Sphinx and started listing to A short history of nearly everything and I'm not sure that I will finish it because it has way too much scientific detail and it's putting me to sleep!

I'm still trying to finish American Sphinx the biography of Thomas Jefferson.

Drneutron's Challenge: #1. His Excellency: George Washington **** #2. John Adams ***** #3. American Sphinx ***1/2 #4. James Madison: The Founding Father *** #5. James Monroe (American Presidents series) *** #6. John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, A Private Life**** #7. Andrew Jac ...

... decide on one for the Presidents Challenge so I actually have two going about Thomas Jefferson.... I picked these two: American Sphinx:The Character of Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson:Genius of Liberty I also finished The Magnificent Catastrophe about the election between Jefferson ...

Yesterday the UPS man brought me American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph J. Ellis and Ending an Ending by Danny Birt. Wow. It should make you happy to see the touchstone thingy recognizes your name, buchleser, but not Joseph Ellis'!

I read American Sphinx by Joseph J. Ellis a couple of years ago and found it to be quite good. It was interesting to see his side of the story after having read the John Adams bio. How he balanced his actions versus his ideas is interesting and shows how complicated this founding father was. ...

... Roosevelt - Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt 3. Beatrix Potter - Journal of Beatrix Potter 4. Joseph Ellis - American Sphinx 5. Deborah Rodriguez - Kabul Beauty School - finished 1/12/09 6. Joseph Ellis - His Excellency: George Washington - finished 2/11/09 7. 8. 9.

... BONUS POINT 5.5 The Husband Trap - RITA Award 5.6 The Time Traveler's Wife British Book Award 5.7 AMERICAN SPHINX: THE CHARACTER OF THOMAS JEFFERSON READ 2/4/09 5.8 STILL LIFE - Penny - Barry Award First Novel READ 3/1/09 BONUS POINT 5.9 What the Dea ...

American Sphinx Little Taiko cyderry dr neutron krenzel16 infopump auntmarge64 Jefferson's War bfertig Undaunted Courage bfertig Adams vs. Jefferson bfertig Thomas Jefferson:genius of liberty cyderry A magnificent catastrophe : the tumultuous election of 1800 cyderry ...

#3 ktleyed: I'm still not quite done with American Sphinx, but I definitely think that's one of the more balanced and insightful biographies of Jefferson that you're likely to find. Though, to be precise, it's less of a biography than an explication of Jefferson's character by way of a series ...

> 2: cornerhouse- I read American Sphinx a few years ago. I remember really enjoying it. I'm a big fan of presidential biographies. I also have Ellis's Founding Brothers deep in my tbr.

#2 cornerhouse - I have both those Ellis books coming up on my TBR list, what did you think of American Sphinx?

This week, I'm feeling historical, among other things. American Sphinx by Joseph J. Ellis James Boswell: The Earlier Years by Frederick Pottle Questions of Taste: The Philosophy of Wine edited by Barry Smith Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset, for the groupread, still The Mysteri ...

... of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Building Big by David Macaulay The Mysterious Flame by Colin McGinn American Sphinx by Joseph J. Ellis And I've got Reading the OED, The Draining Lake, and The Gargoyle just in from the PL and ready to read. Have been looking ...

... clan biographies or more Independence time period. Also have sitting on my book candidate shelf: Undaunted Courage, American Sphinx, Inventing a Nation, Brave Companions So still searching for my definitive approach- just enjoying the books along the way!

... Alexander Hamilton, American * Julia Child, My Life in France * Joseph J. Ellis, American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson * Carolly Erickson, The First Elizabeth * Régine Pernoud, Joan of Arc by herself and her ...

... be dry, but I'd like the best book I can get my hands on. I've already read His Excellency and John Adams, and I've got American Sphinx, by Joseph Ellis for Jefferson. I liked these books, because the authors crafted history into a great story. I'd like to continue that story with Madison if ...

I loved American Sphinx : The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Ellis. Very readable, and also gave insights to others of that era. I have a bookcrossing copy if you'd like me to send it. Jus leave a note on my profile.

... McCullough and Dearest Friend: A Life of Abigail Adams by Lynne Withey Thomas Jefferson is a little trickier: American Sphinx by Joseph Ellis is good, but not great. Biographers have had a tougher time with Jefferson than the others, I think (although certainly not for lack of ...

... was transformed from a strong Loyalist to one who supported and encouraged those who worked hard to get what they want. American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson, a flawed but brilliant man, who at a very young age wrote the Declaration of Independence (albeit with the help of Adams, ...

American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson was great. Ellis has another one on Adams I want to read, Passionate Sage.