Jefferson: A Great American's Life and Ideas
by Saul K. Padover
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An abridged version of the classic biography of the U.S. President Thomas Jefferson. This is a stirring portrait of an extraordinary American--Thomas Jefferson--third President of the United States, architect of freedom and democracy. He began his remarkable career as a lawyer, served in the Virginia House of Delegates and subsequently became Governor of Virginia, Ambassador to France, Secretary of State, and President. He wrote his own epitaph, because he hoped to be remembered for three of show more his contributions to the American nation--author of the Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom--and Father of the University of Virginia. Yet, curiously enough, most of Jefferson's life was a struggle between his desire for a quiet, scholarly life on his plantation at Monticello and the sacrifices he had to make in order to serve his county. Here, Professor Samuel K. Padover deftly reveals the personality of Jefferson, the devoted husbabnd and father, the farmer and philosopher, as well as the crises and achievements of his brilliant career as a statesman, in this absorbing, highly readable book. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
As a student of the American Revolution, I've read a lot about Thomas Jefferson. In completing this abridged biography, I discovered it's nice every now and then to read a short, concise biography just to hit the highlights on the subject without going into a lot of minutia. For those who are curious about TJ, this is a good little book to give you an overview of what he was about and how he conducted himself.
Given that it was written in the early 1950s, I was curious about how the author would deal with slavery. It's of course discussed, but certainly not to the degree that most of today's books are.
Still, given my knowledge of our third president, I feel like this is a well written biography about one of America's greatest Founder.
Given that it was written in the early 1950s, I was curious about how the author would deal with slavery. It's of course discussed, but certainly not to the degree that most of today's books are.
Still, given my knowledge of our third president, I feel like this is a well written biography about one of America's greatest Founder.
While old, this is an excellent introduction to Jefferson. Chapters are arranged by his governmental responsibilities..govenor, ambassador, Secretary of State. There are excellent bridge sentences that tell exactly where he was (often traveling) and who his companrions were. There is a simple several sentence explanation of how he came to oppose Hamilton. He often seemed reluctant to undertake major responsibilities, submitting to the call, not aspiring to the job.
Well-written biography that delves into the life of the greatest American president.
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Is abridged in
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Jefferson: A Great American's Life and Ideas
- Original publication date
- 1942
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, History, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 973.46092 — History & geography History of North America United States Constitutional period (1789-1809) XYZ Affair, Quasi-War, Alien and Sedition Acts Biographies
- LCC
- E332 .P12 — History of the United States United States Revolution to the Civil War, 1775/1783-1861 By period 1789-1809. Constitutional period Jefferson's administrations, 1801-1809
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 221
- Popularity
- 146,808
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (3.63)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 11
- ASINs
- 13
