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Summary: Inside Thomas Jefferson
Review: Nice flowing and well written book on Thomas Jefferson that brought forth information that I was not aware of which always adds to a books attraction. One of the goodies brought forth is the misconception that Jefferson was a strict agrarian when in fact he had his own nail factory at Moniticello that was more productive than his land that featured mostly clay. The book also notes Jefferson's shyness which may have been one of the reasons John Adams suggested that Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence. Adams assumed incorrectly that his own spoken word would predominate over anything Jefferson wrote even though he and Franklin contributed to the document. The Declaration was also influenced by the writings of George Mason. Other gems of information concern Jefferson's conflicts with Patrick Henry who became a political enemy in which I wish there was even more detail since it's very interesting that two of VA.'s most prominent leaders had a mutual distaste for each other. The book covers Jefferson's role as governor including his escape from the British, his Presidency where he was fiscally tight, his own destruuctive personal finances and his views on religion, slavery, agriculture and government including his relationship with both of the Adams. Quite a story on how Jefferson's lean government financing during his term as President were so frugal that his failure to build up a navy and army may have resulted in the US being unprepared by the War of 1812. In contrast, his own personal finances were so out of control as he spent lavishly and continued to tinker with building Monticello that he died a penniless man losing the estate at the time of his death. His views on slavery and religion are conficting, expressing one thing but practicing another. The Sally Hemmings controversy is covered revealed initially as a political attack generated by his enemies yet its inconclusive that he fathered Sally's children although the circumstances lend it to be a serious possibility. A very interesting book about a quiet man that rose to the national spotlight yet seemed happiest when semi reclusiive at Monticello. His grand ideas were also expressed during the building of the University of Virginia with Madison and Monroe and perhaps if all his plans were executed the buildings would have looked grand, unfinished and outrageously expensive. Jefferson comes across as a highly educated philosopher who sometimes was challenged on application.
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Summary: Jefferson: Sphinx, Clear Focus
Review: I enjoyed reading "American Sphinx" by Joseph J. Ellis. It's a well written description of Thomas Jefferson as an enigmatic, sphinx-like figure of American history. I recommend it. I also recommend "West Point: Character, .... Thomas Jefferson" by Norman Thomas Remick. It brings Thomas Jefferson into clear focus.
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Summary: Good Reading......
Review: But the book's agenda appeared to be playing up his negative characteristics and debunking his mystique. Left me wondering if this was a truely objective, historical analysis or slanted to present the authors bias.
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Summary: Jefferson defined?
Review: OF COURSE, if you don't expect a schematic of a human being. To the extent that you can "define" anyone, Ellis has. Ellis, like others before him, falls into the trap of trying to explain the inexplicable contradictions that existed within Jefferson - but seemingly profound contradictions live within all of us. Why not inside of Jefferson? Some of Ellis' "obervations" should best be left to a psychiatrist. For me, I don't need to psychoanalyze Jefferson - I need to simply learn about the things he did and didn't do, the context of his times, the pressures he was under, etc. Ellis does a marvelous job of relaying all that information in a very readable style. (Ellis still uses the word "propitious" way too much - gotta wonder about his editor(s) sometimes....) Why so many of us are continually perplexed by Jefferson's (seeming) internal contradictions any more that we are perplexed about anyone else's I'll never know. Simply put, Jefferson's contraditions made sense to him! Maybe our fascination with his "contraditions" stems from what we (and posterity) have made Jefferson into. FDR and Eisenhower would have certainly "voted" to do away with the de facto "apartheid" that existed during their time - but they didn't have the power to do so, they were politicians and knew they didn't have the power to do so, and, voila, they both participated in segregation like everyone else did. What they did in their time, Jefferson did in his. Because Jefferson wrote (emphasize WROTE) "all men are created equal" was (in itself) an amazing piece of political legerdemain. Jefferson took advantage of the times and GOT the IDEA out there (along with several other ideas). That was remarkable all by itself. We're STILL trying to figure out what they all of his ideas mean and how they all fit. It only took us about 200 years to figure out the easy one, and there are many of us still working on THAT one! All in all, a nice job here by a good writer -maybe goes a bit too far trying to explain that which doesn't need to be explained and overcomplicates some other issues.
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Summary: Jefferson defined?
Review: No, of course not. Jefferson can scarcely be explained. Nonetheless, Professor Joseph Ellis makes an effort to make sense out of a man whose own life was such a riddle.
Perhaps the first thing to understand when reading a book by this author is that it is scholarly, not light reading. There are facts and allegories, to be sure, but mostly there is a philosophical attempt to distill the essence of Jefferson. This is not for the faint-hearted, and Ellis shrinks from nothing.
The very core of the distillate, he argues, is American individualism, the unwillingness to be governed except when faced by a common (unifying) threat. In the absence of such a unifier, Americans inherently distrust government and give their consent only grudgingly. Ellis argues convincingly that this is exactly what Jefferson himself would have wanted, a people who remain possessive about their individuality and who adjust their government as their changing needs may require.
The epilogue of the book, however, strikes me as a bit too pedantic. The author in effect belittles not only the continuous political co-opting of Jeffersonianisms, but he actually names the Internet and chat rooms on AOL (!) as tools which Jefferson would have very much approved of, but which are mostly (entirely?) filled with comments and conversations about Jefferson that are complete and utter nonsense.
Personally, I agree with the former premise and take exception to the latter. Jefferson belongs to us all and no one, not even Professor Ellis, has cornered the market on Jeffersonian Truth.
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Summary: This book belongs on all American historians' bookshelves.
Review: Professor Ellis delivers a wonderful and insightful look into the life and mind of one of our most influential, and least understood, revolutionary "band of brothers". His research is clearly first rate, but it is in his analysis that he sheds much needed light on Thomas Jefferson. Ellis details Jefferson's mindset vs. the Federalist camp of Hamilton and Adams, his vissitudes regarding the political and social issue of slavery (while dismissing with equal aplomb both sides claims of "conclusive proof" of the Sally Hemming love child). Ellis also brings the reader a great understanding of Jefferson the politician, ie his "unwillingness to leave his beloved Monticello" for political calling. He describes in great detail the "rift" between Jefferson and Adams and their letters for the ages later in their lives. He doesn't fall into the pitfall of many apologists who argue these letters showed these men later in life changing their views, rather he shows them healing a long strained relationship while maintaining vastly different political philosphies about a burgeoning nation they both passionately loved. This is really a great book and a wonderful and enjoyable read. I would encourage all with any familiarity of the period to read it without delay.
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Summary: American Sphinx No More
Review: Undoubtly a first class piece of work, in spite of the author's own character flaws. But, having taken the recommendation of another review ("Sphinx?, November 4, 2001), I ordered the book, "West Point" by Norman Thomas Remick, and found it brought Jefferson's character into clear focus. Whereas, you can't beat Joseph J. Ellis' books for scholarship, I would say that anyone who is interested enough to be reading this review should read the Remick book after finishing "American Sphinx".
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Summary: Jefferson; the man
Review: This scholarly account of Jefferson (the man) is well worth reading. Most Americans have grown up with the Jeffersonian image as a godlike master of maintaining the tide of freedom in late 18th century American History. Ellis is quick to point out the humanity of Jefferson. His strenghts, weaknesses and discourse on how they played into the founding and guidance of early U.S.History are not only enlightening but also liberating. It is Jefferson the man we are confronted with. This confrontation allows us to understand one of the "Founding Fathers" as being just like us; human. If there is anything that transcends Jefferson's humanity it is perhaps his authorship of the "Declaration of Independence." Ellis recognizes and pays homage to the fact that these words are above the fray of all human endeavor. It is these words that come to us from Olympus by a man that was all too human.
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Summary: Must Read for TJ and US Revolution History Fans
Review: Joseph Ellis projects an interesting analysis of the illusive Thomas Jefferson in "American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson." Brilliant but contradictory, most historians glorified the author of the Declaration of Independence for nearly 200 years. Recently, with the emergence of John Adams as an equally accepted visionary Founder, the strange and conflicting sides of Jefferson have been given equal attention to those that reflect the genius from Monticello, Virginia. More than any other American historical figure, Jefferson was incredibly aware of his future role in history, and thereby his legacy. Much of the documented historical record, both that written by him and that written to him, reflect the facts that he chose what future generations would see. Ellis breaks down five periods of Jefferson's life: (1) the period around the writing of the Declaration, (2) the years in Paris as American envoy, (3) the years in semi-seclusion during the second Washington administration, (4) his first Presidential term, (5) and his years in retirement the decade prior to his death. The main premises of Ellis' work are that Jefferson was elusive in description, contradictory in philosophy, and often devious in action. After reading Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis (see my review dated 7/23/01) I had enormous expectations for his previously penned biography of Thomas Jefferson. It is a good scholarly account, but falls short of the enormously readable "Founding Brothers" work that won the Pulitzer Prize. Ellis teases you by revealing the many two-faced aspects of Jefferson's character, but shies away from drawing the conclusions that Jefferson's personality was bizarre. The third President was generally a person who could make himself believe anything he wanted, that his position and beliefs were always righteous, as long as it helped him get or preserve what he wanted. Ellis does reveal the many aspects that prove Jefferson such a contradiction. Those include his inability to speak in public compared to the tremendous talent as a writer and analyst. The fact that he betrayed one of his most loyal and devoted friends for decades (John Adams), to secure the goals of the Virginians in the roots of the Founding, also speak loudly to his complex nature. What most people do not realize was that though he was extremely reticent that our country not become encumbered to a national financial consolidation, he was among the most atrocious of debtors and virtually ruined his family through decades of irresponsible personal spending. Finally, everyone now knows his amazingly illogical position regarding slavery, and the facts proven by modern DNA mapping techniques that demonstrate that he fathered children by his slave Sally Hemings. I rate this book most accurately at 4.00 out of 5.00 stars. It is a must read for devotees of the Revolutionary period, and for those interested in Jefferson or John Adams. Ellis could have rated higher by really getting in depth in the many complex facets of Jefferson's personality, ability the author demonstrates better in other works. The book is worth reading and valuable for reference work.
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Summary: Shoddy character assassination
Review: Prof. Ellis, who was finally caught last year in his long time lie of having served in Vietnam, presents as an indisputable fait accompli Jefferson's alleged fathering of a child with Sally Hemings. In fact, all that was revealed by the DNA evidence was that Hemings's youngest son, Eston, was likely fathered by one of the more than two dozen Jefferson males in the area at the time. Most likely is Jefferson's much younger brother Randolph, rather than Jefferson who was in his mid-60s when Eston was born. Recently a distinguished panel of over a dozen Jeffersonian scholars provided a detailed analysis on this issue and their conclusions ranged from strong skepticism to the belief that the charges were almost certainly false. Nevertheless, Ellis continues to propagate his jealous libel. His extreme personal bias taints this book and makes a reader wonder what other facts he has misreprensented.
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