Thomas Jefferson : An Intimate History

I love the book "Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History" by Fawn Brodie (1974) for its hard hitting facts. Brodie certainly does have it in for that old man Jefferson when she writes about the intense hatred Jefferson has of Patrick Henry. Jefferson wrote to Madison in code that they should "pray for his death" on page 203.
An excellent book filled with tantalizing details of strange and "secretive" Jefferson.

Well-balanced biography of Jefferson. While it doesn't shy away from his faults, the book still manages to highlight much of his importance and more positive impact on America.

The premise - a history about Jefferson's thoughts and what made him tick - certainly sounded like it would be interesting. Instead, I was amazed at how often Brodie used phrases like "from this we can infer..." or "based on this we must conclude..." In fact, it would appear that the whole book is nothing more than speculations about what was going on in his mind based on what he did or didn't say or write or his choice of words. Only slightly less irritating is that Ms. Brodie (who apparently enjoyed creating controversy) seems obsessed with Jefferson's sexual life. Early in the book she dismisses it as only natural that he had human appetites and says it's almost unworthy of comment, but then goes on to guess and speculate as to why show more he was attracted to Sally Hemmings and others as well as the nature of their relationships. show less

I received a rathr battered paperback edition of this book from my maternal grandmother. I didn't read it for years, but I'm glad I finally did. This is a great book, withh nice narrative. It includes some of Jefferson's most personal writings like "Argument between my Heart and my Head" and provides some insight into the perceived contradictions of this man.

When this scholarly book first appeared there were many who would not accept the relationship between Jefferson and Sally Hemings. Now DNA evidence appears to prove the truth of Brody's assertions. An interesting read and squarely in the forefront of women's studies.

This is not a political biography and has very little to do with Jefferson as President. It is concerned with his personal relationhips with his daughters. John Adams, Sally Hemings (his mulatto slave mistress), slavery, life in France. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Book originall published in 1974 and reissued in 2010.

Not everything you need to know about Jefferson, but you also need to know this.