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Summary: Amazing Book about an Amazing Individual
Review: The American Sphinx is a magnificently written book that allows its readers to delve into the mind of one of America's most fascinating founding fathers. Exploring the complex and at times seemingly hypocritical nature of Thomas Jefferson, Ellis provides one of the best biographies on one of the most influential people of our history. Answering questions that previous historians seemed fearful to approach, Ellis allows his readers to see the real Thomas Jefferson, both in his glory and in his faults. A must read for anyone who ever thought they knew anything about Thomas Jefferson.
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Summary: Fantastic and fascinating book
Review: I found Joseph Ellis's work on Jefferson to be incredible. Great book to do a book report or review on. Jefferson's character was extremely complex and Ellis helps to breakdown the man and his presidency piece by piece, creating a fantastic and enjoyable book. Great for American History buffs!
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Summary: Terrific Political Synopsis of Jefferson
Review: I loved this book, which read like a a novel. Ellis found negatives in Jefferson where deserved, and there was the constant comparison (in my mind) throughout the book where Jefferson would be in today's American political structure. I agree with a reviewer who said Jefferson would be appalled by today's politics of the Democratic and Republican parties, and would propably be Libertarian. But then again, Jefferson seemed to be so pragmatic (was the Louisiana Purchase constitutional and/or did Jefferson just want the land for American expansion?), that he could be in either major party (Republican for his strong anti-government views or Democratic for his no prayers in school views). Clearly, though, he would not be a television President, and, thus not electable today. That he was a brilliant writer is indisputable and being the first anti-Federalist President carrying the banner for less government and more individual soverignty makes him a stand-out in that era of brilliant Founding Fathers. Ellis points out that his political philosophy cerainly was inconsistent, and that Jefferson's personality did not lead him to "enjoy" conflict as much as John Adams,leading to the inescapable conclusion that Jefferson was a political philosopher laying the foundation for one major segment of American political thought for the next two centuries. The book did not clarify Jefferson's mental character enough. More about his family background, how he reacted personally to his wife's and daughter's deaths would haave been helpful for this analysis. Why he apparantly lacked "fire in the belly" to take on the issue of slavery when he was President, of which he disapproved but certainly condoned. There was also no mention of the events of the American Revolution, which I find to be the only major failing of the book, as it would have put the protagonists more in the context of that era, and, I believe, made Jefferson stand out more that he already does.
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Summary: The Inscrutable and Timeless Sphynx of America
Review: No one has impressed his personality into the American social consciousness and the reality of its political system as much as Thomas Jefferson. Ellis' psychological and character study portrays the complexities and contradictions of this enigmatic figure. He tackles the subject with level headed curiosity and objectivity, rather than the polemics or propaganda which often accompanies breathless tributes to American political icons. An individual capable of the most reasoned idealism and imagination exemplified in the Declaration of Independence, a romantic in his belief in the fundamental goodness of the human condition and its corruption by the exercise of government-- he was also capable irrational suspicion and bitter antipathy to those who differed with him. His trust in individual human nature and distrust of institutions and social organization was representative of the purest manifestation of the Enlightenment in American political thinking during this formative period. So also did he represent the pragmatism & disingenuousness of the slave owning, aristocratic Virginia planters class, to which he was born, and which was so profoundly conflicted with the egalitarian idealism of the new republic. All are admirably explored in this book, which should be read by those interested in the interplay between the subjective character and the political architecture wrought by one of world's great political minds.
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Summary: Very well written account of a complex and interesting man.
Review: Excellent book about a very real and three-dimensional man. "Historians", ie. earlier commentators, may scoff and say that nothing new was revealed or that they already knew all that was written here, but that says nothing about how good this particular book was. Mr. Ellis tells a wonderful story here and reveals to the rest of us "commoners" the human being behind the historical figure.
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Summary: A Interesting Report
Review: Thomas Jefferson is a personal hero. So is one of his most distinguished detractors, Theodore Roosevelt. Though their respective views on government and politics are at odds, I can hold both views in my head and heart and feel no need to resolve the dissonance. I do not require my heroes to be perfect (and certainly neither of them were). That Jefferson had flaws and weaknesses, as do all the readers of these reviews, in no way diminishes the tremendous influence he still enjoys in American politics and culture. That the entire political spectrum wishes to claim him as one of their wellsprings shows the power of his ideas and visions.I put down the book with the feeling that the author is disturbed by this influence, and cannot resolve the apparent conflict that Ronald Reagan and Franklin Roosevelt both claim Jefferson as their political progenitor. The author seems to say, "I cannot abide the contradictions and faults of the man, therefore, the reader should dismiss his [Jefferson's] efforts. And I truly hope we are NOT able to persuade him to run for national office!" I agree with other readers that the first part of the book was more entertaining and balanced. But, the author's fear of his subject's legacy overtook the second part of the work, often leaving me questioning the author's purpose. Also, I would suggest that the subtitle be modified to "The POLITICAL Character..." as the author chose to all but ignore Jefferson's complete character. After having read Dumas Malone's masterful and idolizing work, I mostly enjoyed this report of a fascinating human. I do recommend the report, but certainly not as a first nor definitive treatment.
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Summary: Historically enveloping, yet personally attractive.
Review: Joseph Ellis has managed to incorporate within one volume the details that make History fascinating, and the nuances that make it baffling. Often times historical accounts are dry or incomprehensible because the details are too widespread, and the players too numerous. Ellis instead focuses on one character- Jefferson - and successfully tells the rich story of American politics at the birth of the Revolution to the Age of Jackson. Jefferson was witness to the two greatest Revolutions in history, yet did not possess the advantage of historical hindsight. Joseph Ellis, in this telling, does not burden the reader with hindsight, and continually brings you to the perspective of Jefferson. It is an excellent book that reads quickly and smoothly. After finishing "American Sphinx," historical works will be welcome on your bedstand and history itself will feel closer.
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Summary: A fascinating look at a complex character
Review: By choosing specific periods of time in Jefferson's life, and not apologizing for skipping over his less-important years, Ellis gets to the root of Thomas Jefferson's personal and political beliefs, and attempts to explain the enigma that Jefferson most certainly was. Ellis writes in a way that makes you think he was there. It wouldn't have surprised me if he revealed that he had figured out a way to interview Jefferson for the book. Highly recommended for anyone who finds most history tomes to be boring. You will not be bored here.
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Summary: A great book on the Jeffersonian Era
Review: This is a great book on Jefferson for those who don't know much about Jefferson. Jefferson wasn't the saint that everyone imagined him to be. He is a hypocrite in everyway and sense. This is a must read for future historians.
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Summary: Tries too much for closure
Review: I enjoyed the first part of this book better than the second. In the beginning, Ellis tries to present a balanced view of Jefferson: a great man with contradictions. But as the book goes on, Ellis seems unable to give sufficient credit to Jefferson's greatness. Ellis is all too willing to put a negative spin on Jefferson's legacy--such as saying that Southern secessionists embraced Jefferson during the Civil War. I saw a show about the legacy of Jefferson with Ellis on the panel. I got the impression (as I did when I read the book) that he wanted to close the book on Jefferson. That's just impossible with someone as complex as Jefferson. He tries too much for closure, as if trying to write the Jefferson biography to end all Jefferson biographies. What's good about the book? Ellis is a talented writer. I also enjoyed the layout of Jefferson's life. His commentary on John Adams is good. He mentions John Adams throughout the book. Ellis seems more able to understand Adams than Jefferson.
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