Thomas Jefferson by R. B. Bernstein Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Thomas Jefferson
Book Review: I liked it
Summary: 4 Stars
Being from Iceland I have not really had any education on the founding fathers/presidents of the United States. Wanting to enlighten myself I bought a few books on several of the most famous presidents. This book was one of them since it came highly recommended. Not qualified to judge the quality of this book's content compared to other books of Jefferson (since I haven't read any) I can just say that it's a good read. The text is well written and informative, showing both Jefferson's brilliance and flaws (well he was after all human). So if you would like to read about the late president in not too many words (the book is only around 200 pages) I recommend it highly.Book Review: I've read better
Summary: 2 Stars
This book is hard to follow, and written as a suspense book. I really thought this was going to be more of a history type book. I got it to read after I read Jefferson by David McCullough. David is a much better writer.Book Review: If you have to read a Bio of Jefferson for school, this is the one
Summary: 3 Stars
This book is informative. That is all it is. My negative feelings for this book are mostly based on the fact that I had just read John Adams by David McCullough, and by comparison nothing will be as good. It is not a page turning, maybe I can read another ten pages before I fall asleep kind of book at all. But if you have to read a Bio of Jefferson for school, and you are not really that into the subject, this book is pretty much a Cliff notes Bio that will do fine. I am looking for a McCullough type of Bio for Jefferson so if anyone knows of one let me know!Book Review: Jefferson Lite
Summary: 4 Stars
When Dumas Malone wrote Jefferson's biography, it took him six volumes at about 500 pages a pop. Bernstein does it in a single volume with a mere 200 pages. Clearly, some detail is missing, but for what it is, "Thomas Jefferson" gives a lot of bang. Bernstein outlined the work using the three accomplishments Jefferson requested to have listed as his epitaph: author of the Declaration of Independence, author of a statute of religious rights, and father of the University of Virginia.
Bernstein highlights these accomplishments and couches their significance in descriptions of the culture, economics, and political climate of the time. A number of Jefferson's achievements get glossed over in the process. His eight years as president, for example, fly by in about eight pages.
For a short book on a long subject, however, Bernstein performs admirably. I strongly recommend it for readers who want to learn about Jefferson, but don't want to learn everything about him.
Book Review: Meager product
Summary: 1 Stars
Why did Mr. Bernstein come up with such a meager product?--as though someone with an "in" suggested, "Hey, there's a commercial niche for a small book on Jefferson. Give it a go." I wish he hadn't. He gave little substance either to Jefferson or his book and made factual and interpretative missteps in the bargain. Save your money.