Thomas Jefferson by R. B. Bernstein Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Thomas Jefferson
Book Review: An excellent biography of America's third President
Summary: 4 Stars
A good account of the life of Thomas Jefferson, including the phases of how America has viewed its third President since his death. The book tackles the inconsistencies in 'Jeffersonian Democracy', such as slavery. If you want a short and comprehensive biography of Jefferson this is it!Book Review: The Enigma that was Thomas Jefferson
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is certainly well worth the time spent reading it. The directness of the writing is most impressive; I especially admired the author's ability to encapsulate in succinct descriptions such complex issues as the Federalists verses the Republicans and the insoluble, but disturbing, attitude that Jefferson had towards slavery and the status of African Americans - you can sense how shocked the author must have been when discovering these distasteful facts about the writer of the Declaration of Independence. All the research concerning the Hemings speculation is rehearsed admirably. The author is fair to Jefferson, reflecting the 'warts and all' approach to his subject, leaving us with an impression of a real fallible human being who was also a great man.
This is a fine short biography, which, by nature has to omit much, but gives the impression of depth, leaving readers to find out more detail about a certain topic for themselves.
One very important aspect, especially to those who are not too acquainted with this period of American history, is the brilliantly clear way the author describes such well known events as The Boston Tea Party, Shays's Rebellion or the despised Stamp Act - often historians assume everyone knows about these.
The acute intelligence of Jefferson shines through the pages, along with his essential pragmatism - one lawyer appraising another perhaps. The portraits of his contemporaries, especially Madison and Adams are well drawn, and, for a change so is Aaron Burr, who is very fairly treated.
I am a great admirer of this excellent book.