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hilary_weckstein's review
3.0
Before I read this book I did not have the best opinion of a Jefferson generally based on how he was described in other biographies I have read of Hamilton and Adams. I chose this book because I wanted to keep an open mind about him and his legacy. This book did not help me see Jefferson in a positive light. I can not get past the hypocrisy/cognitive dissonance of certain central beliefs and practices of his (mainly slavery but also his obsession with France). This book does not paint him as a likable person to me. While it argues that we have to study Jefferson as a man in his time, it seems that even in his time he was out of step in many of his core beliefs (again slavery but also generally his thoughts about diversity, the role of Federal government and the compromises implicit and explicit in the Constitution). Also the fact that he probably plagiarized the most famous line from the Declaration of Independence lessens that accomplishment slightly and funnily makes the Louisiana Purchase (which went against Jefferson's main belief in the role of Federal government) his most impressive and important accomplishment in my mind.
duparker's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting way to discuss Jefferson. Instead of a traditional look at him from an historical perspective, the author delves into his character and his demeanor.
The book gives an interesting overview of how Jefferson thought and acted based upon his traits and upbringing. I liked that it explained the times he was in and the ways of the era to define the subject.
The book gives an interesting overview of how Jefferson thought and acted based upon his traits and upbringing. I liked that it explained the times he was in and the ways of the era to define the subject.
efinke4's review
4.0
I’m glad I know more about Jefferson the person. If you are interested in Jefferson at all, I would recommend this book. It’s informative and non-biased. The author clearly doesn’t love Jefferson or dislike him. He shows him as the human he was. I’m glad for the Declaration of Independence and the Louisiana Purchase, so he did some good. I still don’t like him. I wouldn’t vote for him. He’s wrong for me in every way. #teamAHam #notmytype
edgiles4's review
4.0
This is an excellent piece of historical work. Ellis pulls no punches when addressing one of the most sacred figures in American history and his many contradictions, particularly his paradoxical stance on slavery. I don't think you'll lose much respect for Jefferson after reading this, but you'll certainly have a fuller understanding of perhaps our most complicated national hero.
alexrobinsonsupergenius's review
3.0
Not so much a biography as an examination of different key moments in his life. Didn't convince me Jefferson wasn't a hypocritical jerk.
bupdaddy's review
4.0
A friend of mine thinks Ellis was "too nice to Jefferson" in this book - I think he's crazy. The book is well-written, and well-argued, but the argument is that Jefferson was cognitive dissonance incarnate. Ellis gives Jefferson credit for very little, and I think that's unfair. The American Revolution needed someone to fire the imagination, and that was Jefferson. Maybe the vision Jefferson described is too idealistic, but, feh.
Maybe he was a bit paranoid about the Federalists, too, but I'm not convinced he wasn't right about Hamilton. They guy wanted to be emperor for life.
Still, fascinating read and all.
Half a point off because Ellis uses the phrase "What's more..." as a sentence starter way to often in this book, and in "Founding Brothers."
Maybe he was a bit paranoid about the Federalists, too, but I'm not convinced he wasn't right about Hamilton. They guy wanted to be emperor for life.
Still, fascinating read and all.
Half a point off because Ellis uses the phrase "What's more..." as a sentence starter way to often in this book, and in "Founding Brothers."
kwtingley's review
5.0
Excellent, in-depth, accessible look into who Jefferson was as a man, a president, and a fallable, imperfect human.