Thomas Jefferson by R. B. Bernstein Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Thomas Jefferson
Book Review: A well-written overview
Summary: 3 Stars
THOMAS JEFFERSON by R.B. Bernstein is a short biography (198 pages) of Thomas Jefferson that seems to accurately sketch our third president's life objectively, but it reads a little like a long encyclopedia article, without much verve or access to the emotional and personal presence of the man.
This characterization is not to fault Bernstein, who has done what he stated in his introduction was his aim. I found the book enjoyable and his objectivity refreshing in terms of both Jefferson's strengths (his ability to write and inspire) and his weaknesses (his behind-the-scenes manipulations that often ended up embarrassing him when his differing letters were compared by their recipients). I also found the epilogue ("Take care of me when dead..."), which delineates the various eras of Jefferson's reputation in America, very interesting.
Bernstein organizes the book's chapters chronologically by logical periods in the life of Jefferson, from his young adulthood in Virginia (1743-1774) through his time in Europe (1874-1789) to his presidential administrations (1801-1805 and 1805-1809) and his retirement (1809-1826). Bernstein quotes from Jefferson's writings and from peers who wrote about him, including an interesting physical description of him by Sen. Daniel Webster.
While this book does not present nearly so engaging and personal a portrait of a man as Ellis's book on Washington and McCullough's book on John Adams, it does continue the story of the beginnings of our nation from Jefferson's life and reinforces the point that these man, while very different from each other, were inextricably linked with intertwining lives and experiences. I learned a lot about the beginnings of the United States from this book, including some interesting explanations of the electoral college ("In 1787-1788, when the Constitution was adopted, most Americans expected most presidential elections to give no candidate a majority. The electoral college would thin the field, not decide the election. ... Thus, in 1800 they were alarmed by a deadlock that, in 1788, they would have expected as a normal result" p. 129) that illustrate how fluid and changing governance was even for those who began our systems and protocols. It is also a helpful volume in understanding Jefferson's religious life, his deistic beliefs and his adamant support of separation of church and state and the criticism he endured for this position.
If anything, this book has made me more curious about Jefferson, his legacy and his personal life, as it really does gloss Jefferson's marriage, the fact that only one of his children survived him and his relationship with Sally Hemmings and their children. I recommend this as a primer, but not for greater insight into the man.
Book Review: Accomplishes what it set out to do - Recommended
Summary: 4 Stars
Historians have tackled Jefferson's towering life and voluminous writings and correspondence with equally imposing full-length biographies, the best of which is over one thousand pages long. Scholarly and informative, sure, but prohibitively long for the first-time reader.
Bernstein's book complements these monumental biographies, serving as a balanced primer to his life. Although familiar segments of Jefferson's life seem glossed over, a close reading of the text shows that Bernstein indeed possesses a full understanding of Jefferson. Bernstein knows more about Jefferson than is revealed only in the text; however, for the sake of maintaining a short, readable biography, he chooses a minimalist approach. The author certainly simplifies certain episodes, but in such a way that provides enough information for the casual reader while still providing a springboard for the more serious student of history.
Bernstein gives a chronological narrative that is easy to follow (supplemented by a timeline in the appendices) and hits all the salient points. Far from being a partisan against Jefferson or his apologist, the author succeeds in balancing the need to view Jefferson in his own time with our desire to to judge him against today's moral standards. Never does the book get off-track with partisan attacks or psychological field trips intent on discovering the "real" Jefferson, as other historians often attempt.
Recommended as a (very) short introduction to Jefferson's life and lasting importance.
Book Review: An Objective and Concise Biography of an Enigmatic Man
Summary: 4 Stars
R.B Bernstein's biography, Thomas Jefferson, is a wonderful introduction to the world of Jefferson scholarship and to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. In particular I would recommend this work, a relatively brief read of 216 pages including the introduction, to anyone who would like to know more about Jefferson without delving into the weighty and esoteric tomes that have frequently been turned out by Jefferson scholars.
Aside from its relative brevity, another unusual aspect of Thomas Jefferson is the author himself. Mr. Bernstein is a 1980 graduate of the Harvard Law School, and had a brief career in the law, before returning to academia to study for a PhD in History. Bernstein's legal training is evident throughout the work. Bernstein's book reads like an exceptionally well laid out legal brief, and is devoid of much of the conjecture found in many biographies. The result is both good and bad, depending upon the reader. For me, personally, I found the work to be exceptionally well-balanced, clear, logical, concise and meticulously annotated. On the other hand, if you are a reader looking to understand the melodrama surrounding Jefferson's life, then you should probably look for another biography
With the possible exception of Lincoln, no U.S. President ever has been as enigmatic as Jefferson. Jefferson lived to be eighty-three years old, and for over sixty of those years he was a power player on the national and world stage. By his very nature, Jefferson was a conflicted man with three distinct personalities. On a societal level he was the ultimate idealist. The U.S. Declaration of Independence that he wrote in 1776 still resonates over 230 years later with free and enslaved peoples throughout the world. Second, politically he was a pragmatist. Although fearful of an excessively strong Federal Government, his presidency was marked by a sweeping expansion of Federal powers under his direction. Finally, on a third, and more personal level, Jefferson was a part of the Virginia plantation aristocracy: he was vain, egotistical and hypocritical living a lavish lifestyle that he could ill afford and that could only exist as a result of the institution of slavery.
In addition to his enigmatic nature, Jefferson also kept and maintained meticulous, almost obsessive records and correspondence throughout his lifetime, thereby providing lifetime employment for generations of colonial history scholars. Entire books have been written about topics as esoteric as Jefferson's purchases of wine as a result of his record keeping. (As a matter of fact, at least FOUR books have been written about Jefferson's wine purchases!)
Bernstein's biography attempts to explain and resolve the many apparent contradictions in Jefferson's life. Bernstein starts in the introduction by explaining the three schools of historical thought surrounding Jefferson - the "prophet of disunion" (1860-1920), the "god of democracy" (1930-1965) and the "sphinx like Jefferson" from 1965 and beyond. Next Bernstein discusses the eight major tenets, or "stars" in Bernstein's terms, of Jefferson's revolutionary ideas. Bernstein points out that certain "Stars" remain today such as independence and self-government, while others have faded over time such as Jefferson's belief that America should be an agrarian republic. The introduction of this book is well worth reading in its own right, and should not be skipped!
The body of the book takes a rather traditional approach to his subject's life dividing it up chronologically. Once again, Bernstein's legal background deserves special praise in his brief and succinct description of the Alien and Sedition Acts and again with an exceptionally clear and brilliantly concise description of the importance of the Marbury versus Madison Supreme Court case. I have watched numerous authors and university professors attempt and fail to explain these two important pieces of American history while Bernstein succeeds mightily.
Finally, Bernstein in an Epilogue analyzes the scholarship surrounding the issue of whether Jefferson fathered some of his slave's, Sally Hemings', children. Bernstein concludes that it is highly likely that he in fact did so. His handling of this topic is done in a sensitive yet detailed manner with the results being neither salacious nor prudish.
So, to summarize, if you are interested in reading a book on Jefferson as `history written large' along the lines of David McCullogh's masterwork, John Adams, I would recommend considering a different Jefferson biography. However, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in obtaining a concise, well-written overview of Jefferson's life and the times in which he lived. Bernstein has created an excellent resource for those interested in learning more about our third President.
Book Review: An excellent synopsis of Jefferson's legacy
Summary: 5 Stars
In less than 200 pages, R.B. Bernstein summarizes the major events of Jefferson's life, gives careful treatment to the various controversies surrounding Jefferson, and places his legacy in context. The book takes Jefferson's writings seriously and attempts to explain the many seeming contradictions. With a very small investment of time, a reader will earn a strong, introductory grasp of what Jefferson accomplished and stood for.
The book reflects the current state of thought of Jefferson, which is less adulatory than previous generations. This Jefferson is not that of Dumas Malone, who merited six volumes of biographical treatment. Bernstein judges Jefferson harshly in certain areas, particularly his Presidency, which was a faillure apart from the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition.
I suspect it is this treatment that has earned this book severe ratings from those who dislike the current scholarly view of Jefferson. Still, Bernstein strives for fairness, and he closes by acknowleding the importance that Jefferson's Declaration of Independence has had on the course of world events.
Book Review: Basic, 3 Stars
This is billed as a concise, one-volume, biography of Mr. Jefferson. It is that, and I've seen worse books. It is quite well written, and does hit all the high points, and basic ideas. It even clarifies some of the ideas rather well. However......I have a couple of complaints.....
[1] It skips around, placing events out of sequence; this is most marked toward the end.
[2] The author gives full credence to the Tom and Sally story, while rather blithely dismissing the alternatives. It is NOT that simple. OK; this one is a matter of opinion, and we'll never settle it.
Complaints, and Sally, aside, this is not really "bad". The main points get made, the Declaration and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom get written, and UVA gets founded. A nice touch is including Dumas Malone's biography as one of Jefferson's five great "monuments". [Along with the nickel, Mount Rushmore, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Jefferson Papers]. Still, you can do better...try Joseph Ellis' "American Sphinx" or Noble Cunningham's "In Persuit of Reason....The Life of Thomas Jefferson". Naturally, Dumas Malone and Merrill Peterson remain definitive, but their length will deter most readers.