Writings: Autobiography / Notes on the State of Virginia / Public and Private Papers / Addresses / Letters by Thomas Jefferson

Writings: Autobiography / Notes on the State of Virginia / Public and Private Papers / Addresses / Letters Reviews

• 
  Mark

  We should not be so hasty to charge the historical figures of yesterday by the moral standards of today. Without Jefferson's Declaration of Independence, human society would be so much worse off, in so many ways. To besmirch his memory as is most constantly done with the usual tagline "...but he owned slaves!" is ignorant and only proves that whoever is talking probably has never even read his work.
  Just as someone claiming Benjamin Franklin was an "atheist" only proves the same point, when Franklin absolutely made no such claims and in fact said quite the opposite. Modern critics and persons interested (as I am) in preserving Native American culture would be no less horrified at Jefferson's desecration of an Indian Burial ground noted in his Notes on Virginia. However this appears to a modern eye Jefferson was only making in his mind an honest scientific inquiry. Much the same might be said of some of his "perceived conclusions" that blacks are in some ways different than whites, while all the whiles- and in every sector- acclaiming the rights of man and the abhorrence of slavery. Without which this country could never have been begun. It was not Jefferson who pulled the anti-slavery language from the Declaration, but other members of the Continental Congress. He himself reproached the slave trade and in fact makes note it was the British who inflicted it on America while still colonies, not that it was an American oppression of Africans.
  That he himself had "familial" relations with one of his own slaves says less that he abused his "property" sexually or he was somehow hypocritical, than he respected their humanity and made their freedom a condition of one of his last bequests. This earth would never have known such a thing as the Declaration of Independence to begin with, without Thomas Jefferson's courageous beliefs. They helped to found a great nation, which has, over the course of 200+ years, strayed quite far from the vision of Jefferson and Franklin. So all Americans would do themselves a Great Favor by re-reading the Declaration of Independence in its initial form (as published here) if only to recognize how far that straying has taken place, mostly unnoticed, in the halls of the very institutions Jefferson helped immeasurably to create.
  
• 
  Jim Leckband

  The man had opinions - but I think it goes with being a revolutionary. His writings are a joy to read - he is interested in everything and usually has intelligent things to say about them. It is that quality that marks an exceptional man - curiosity and the intelligence to make use of it. If only we had more leaders in our country like that nowadays.
• 
  Christopher

  Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, and founder of the University of Virginia, is one of the more elusive Founding Father’s to pin down. Like Benjamin Franklin, he was a polymath with a deep interest in the many scientific undertakings of his age and was a consummate, though reluctant (at least according to himself), politician. At times he could be seemingly all over the place. What this book of Jefferson’s public papers and letters does is let readers peer more deeply into his mind and soul than the many biographies written of him since his death, but at the cost of creating one extremely long volume.
  
  For my full review, check out my blog
  here.
• 
  Shaun

  This is a large 1,500 page collection of the writings of Thomas Jefferson, from his public papers, his autobiography, his inaugural addresses, state of the union addresses, and private letters. For myself, I found it invaluable for possessing several parts where Jefferson describes the purpose of government, and individual rights, and how to preserve freedom while protecting individual rights. I was also very interested about Jefferson's views on the standing army, and of the people rising in rebellion against the government. I think its a great read, and a necessary piece on the bookshelf of any lovers of history, politics, or political theory.
• 
  Book Lover

  Watched the John Adams movie and was inspired to pull this book from my library book shelf and dust it off again. I can't think of anyone today being as accomplished so early in life as the men of the revolutionary time. It just amazing that someone could accomplish so much so quick. Also, I didn't realize how much detail was in the Declaration of Independence concerning the transgressions of Great Britain, specifically King George and Parliment.
• 
  John McCreery

  This should be mandatory reading for Politicians and voters. When he states that his most values accomplishments include "the demolition of the church establishment, and freedom of religion.(p702)" you know you are getting gold from the principal architect of American democracy. No commentary is substitute for this; the man's own writing! Wonderful.
• 
  Art

  Mr. Jefferson believed in principles to help guide us on the path of right. However Mr. Jefferson was quite the politian. I have mixed feelings about Mr. Jefferson, whereas, It is good to read his writings.
  Thank you, Professor Tucker!
• 
  Jake Keyes

  After reading all the letters from Thomas Jefferson I feel we owe him an apology. He made clear his belief that the federal government should be extremely limited in its power. In addition to his famous writings, this book includes a large collection of letters he sent to various people. You also learn a lot about his views on religion, which have been skewed heavily by modern historians. There are parts of his writing that are very difficult to read about. Him basically describing every physical feature of the land of Virginia for example. However, the genius of his writing far outways the dullness of these parts of the book.
• 
  Shane Zanath

  This book is excellent but requires historical context, especially for reading Notes on the State of Virginia (it is infinitely better once you understand its historical significance). It's strange to me how challenging the dialect of Jefferson is to read- being a product of his time- while the works of Thomas Paine are somehow so easy to understand even today. I'd highly recommend Paine for that reason.
• 
  Pengyu Jiang

  This is almost the first book I read after coming to college. It was a huge reading for me. Maybe because of it I also had an unconscious desire to write letters so that one day they may be published. Now I think it interesting that this book mentions nothing about sally hemings.
• 
  Joshua Guest

  A bit of a slog sometimes. But it is rife with gems of wisdom. I look forward to typing up and preserving the hundreds of bits of insight found among his letters and speeches.
• 
  Adam Gossman

  Man Jefferson was dang cool.
• 
  Whiskey Tango

  Jefferson's answer to the French government's skeptical queries about this home state of Virginia takes at the form of an ode to the developing culture of the USA just after the American Revolution.
• 
  Doris Raines

  I LIKE THIS BOOK.
• 
  Daniel Rundquist

  I won't fill this page with my opinions about Jefferson's work. So much has already been written about that and there is little new to contribute. This book is a condensed series of writings by Jefferson. It is by no means anywhere close to the entire volume of his work, but that said it is intended (I think) to provide the reader with the most salient samples of this great statesman's life and work. In that, it excels. (I also have the multi-volume complete works and it will take some time to get through all that.) But this work one could reasonably sit and read, or use for a reference. It seems this book is more geared as an undergrad coursebook, which is by no means an indictment of it.
  
  The text is clear and binding is high quality on acid-free stock.
  
  If you are looking for a book with more "meat" than your basic Jefferson material,you will be pleased with this release.
  
  DR
  
  
• 
  Joshua Hruzik

  This selected collection of Jefferson's writings is fruitful both for academic and private purposes. Covering most of his important correspondence and supplementing additional works such as his autobiography and notes, this would be the first choice for a detailed study of Jefferson's mind.
  All this details are printed on thin and acid free paper, protected by a strong hardcover.
  The impressive and detailed index of this collection makes a quick issue oriented search for every one's means possible.
  Like most of the Library of America's books, this is very well edited and can thus serve as excellent source material.
• 
  Erik

  Great collection of writings. The most fascinating part is his notes on an early draft of the Declaration. We get his opinion on what was added and cut out before it was signed. The book was worth it for this alone. Most of the rest of the papers and speeches are hit or miss. Some are politically or culturally interesting, others, including several on measurements and prices of crops, are pretty boring. The vast majority of the book is made up of personal letters with his opinions on politics, culture, religion, etc. Really great stuff.
• 
  Jilali Mahyawi

  Raudha will not find the world such as Thomas Jefferson Aaroad that these faces are real-life original, which he lost one of the United Ahram and symbols, even though we did not Naqralkther them but always Out of our wisdom and our analysis give accurate results with ourselves and give the vote
  Finally, I say Do you find the nations are like those who are the writers and the spring and Nsmah .......
• 
  Calla

  It is certainly hard to judge the value of the content of Jefferson's writing because regardless of personal opinion, its impact has been so largely felt. It cannot be disregarded because so much of an American's present reality is dictated by things found in these pages. Therefore, I will not argue for or against the philosophies found in this book but rather on the amalgamation of this anthology which I found to be most effective and a good summary of Jefferson's writing and opinion.
• 
  Mark Noce

  Great ideas and words of the enigma himself, Thomas Jefferson. He paints himself in all the glory and drawbacks that a full human being is. Interesting read if you want to get into the mindset of early Americans.
• 
  Brian Mumford

  Not a book I plan on reading straight through. It's a collection of his writings and correspondence with others. I like to pick it up once in a while and read a letter of his. You can search by topic, so I like to get Jefferson's spin on things from time to time.
• 
  Karen

  I read a great deal of this book but not all of it. I flipped through it and read the essays I was interested and skipped the others. I love how curious Jefferson was and how much time he spent learning on his own. I think he was a very interesting man.
• 
  John

  nonfiction,history,political science,philosophy,enlightenment
• 
  Alex Winston

  1500 page monster featuring tons of Jefferson. I'm about a third of the way through it.