Customer Reviews

Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness (Modern Library)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really enjoyed this book, there are life lessons in here that anyone, regardless of race or age, can learn from. Sometimes in life, you need to look back before you can move forward, this book provides that opportunity by featuring the ideals that were important to Thomas Jefferson. Ideals that resonate just as much today as they did back then.

I bought a copy for my son who's heading off to college in the Fall, always helps to remind today's youth that things like honor, trust and dedication are timeless values that can help them succeed in any walk of life.

I checked out the author's site too, they have some great free content - and a free Thomas Jefferson screensaver, which as a teacher I really liked - it's at :: www.lightandliberty.org.

Peterson's selections not only point out tips for our leaders--both Democrat and Republican--that would serve as reminders to get our country back on track, but they also remind us of how we can each live our ordinary lives in a way that contributes to the overall good of society. A very inspirational book!!

A nicely done anthology of precepts from Thomas Jefferson's writings. The author must have read the thousands of letters written by Jefferson during his lifetime. The only other book I have ever seen in which the author has taken the time to read everything in Jefferson's own hand is the book, West Point: Thomas Jefferson: Character Leadership Education, by Norman Thomas Remick. High marks and admiration to Mr. Petersen for his dedication and perseverance. Recommended to all.

This is a book that all Americans should read now, and re-read over one's lifetime. The editor has done an incredible job of distilling from over 20,000 of Jefferson's letters his elevating, illumining and inspiring thoughts. It is an insight into the man, the times and the country he so deeply loved and so tirelessly worked to create, nurture, expand and sustain. So many times I found myself exclaiming a "Wow!" over a quote, sometimes smiling, sometimes tearing-up, wistfully, at the depth of his soulful wisdom. Do not hesitate to bring this gem into your home, your library, and your heart.

Light and Liberty reveals the true Thomas Jefferson in all his intuitive grandeur. Thomas Jefferson envisioned and revealed the very qualities that made America evolve into the new model of government and society. In reading his innermost thoughts and ideals we can feel a small glimpse of the light that has, and should guide our country and all humanity into the future.

This book is not only a "must read" for all those who believe in our most basic principles, but also an incredible reference of higher ideals and progressive thought.

This book deserves to have even six stars. Eric Petersen's collection of Thomas Jefferson's work has motivated me to take new hights! Outstanding job Eric Petersen!!

The author makes it quite clear that he is a true Jefferson fan and the book is a distillation of his favorite Jefferson writings and essays.

By an standards, Thomas Jefferson was a powerful, thoughtful figure who based on this book had a Christ like attitude to life. Editor Petersen breaks the book into life lessons ranging from Faith, Happiness, Humility to Enthusiasm and Patriotism.

I have actually carried this book around with me for a few weeks, dipping into sections to get a little inspiration from a great thinker. So much of his writing is so appropriate for today. When I speak to job seekers, I impress upon them that the mind and body needs to keep active. I will quote Jefferson in future; " Nothing can contribute more to your future happiness, than the contracting a habit of industry and activity. Of all the cankers of human happiness none corrodes with so silent, yet so baneful an influence as indolence. Body and mind, both unemployed, our being becomes a burden."

A number of Illinois Governors might have benefitted from his views on public office; "When I first entered on the stage of public life, I came to a resolution never to engage while in public office in any kind of enterprise for the improvement of my fortune."

Jefferson wrote glowingly of many of his contemporaries - Washington, Sam Adams, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton and James Monroe - "A man whose soul might be turned wrong side outwards, without discovering a blemish to the world." Hmm!!

Yeah, some of the writing is corny, but it is powerful, contains genuine compassion and great affirmations and good-will. This is a lovely book containing great life lessons.

LIGHT AND LIBERTY is what I call a "bedside book," something that deserves to sit on your nightstand FOREVER for those evenings you want to read something inspirational or inspiring before drifting off to La-La Land. It's a small, short, beautifully realized volume...and in this era when just about everybody is intent on trashing Thomas Jefferson, this is a wonderful antidote.

After reading James Bovards "The Bush Betrayal" and then reading this excellent collection of letters and thoughts from Thomas Jefferson it is inescapable to not see the warnings of as well as the fears of the founding fathers of this nation were very real and foreseen, and that they did their best to set in place as many safe guards as they could in the world they lived in, to try and protect as well as warn the future generations of this nation that we must never turn a blind eye toward those in government.

This work is very well thought out and arranged to bring to a clear focus each area of thought that Jefferson reflected upon during his life both in and out of the political arena.

This book is amazing. It is very insightful about what Thomas Jefferson thought about various topics of that day. The lessons learned in Jefferson's time can be applied to this century. awesome buy!