Notes on the State of Virginia [Hardcover]

Thomas Jefferson (Author), David Waldstreicher (Editor)

Book Description

Series: The Bedford Series in History and Culture | Publication Date: June 1, 2002

Thomas Jefferson published one book, Notes on the State of Virginia, and ever since, it has been the touchstone for understanding Jefferson's ideas about republican government, the environment, education, race and slavery, and Native-white relations. This edition is the first to present these issues as fundamentally inseparable matters. A collection of lively documents accompanies the core text of the Notes, and charts the evolution of the book in the revolutionary crucible and during the heady early days of the new nation. An introduction by David Waldstreicher places the work in the contexts of the Revolution and the social and cultural history of Jefferson's Virginia, with particular attention to developing ideas about race and nature. A chronology of the life and career of Thomas Jefferson and selected bibliography also add to the pedagogical benefits of this volume.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is a Bedford book that is long overdue, and David Waldstreicher is a superb choice as editor. This new edition of Notes on the State of Virginia is informed by the more recent scholarship on Jefferson, which the editor knows cold, and it will attract a substantial audience among college teachers, yours truly included.” —Joseph J. Ellis, Mount Holyoke College

“This is an excellent piece of work. Specialists as well as students will learn from the Introduction, and though the Notes are available in many editions, they have never been so attractively and accessibly presented. Also, the very fine selection of additional documents will certainly enhance the reader's appreciation of the Notes.” —Peter S. Onuf, University of Virginia

About the Author

David Waldstreicher is Associate Professor at the University of Notre Dame.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (June 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031229428X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312294281
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,653,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States (1801-1809), the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776), and one of the most influential Founding Fathers for his promotion of the ideals of republicanism in the United States. He envisioned America as the force behind a great "Empire of Liberty" that would promote republicanism and counter the imperialism of the British Empire.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for H.S and college students & others, July 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Notes on the State of Virginia (Paperback)

The book is written much like an epic poem- with lists of river, towns, economic conditions etc in 1780s. But also much more: His feeling on race. He obviously did not hate blacks, proposed a theory that they were less intelligent, had an aesthetic view of man akin to Gulliver's Travels and the horses. Theory of education is much akin to European model of today, much better than current theories in use. He opposed multiculturalism and opposed teaching children religion in schools or anyplace else, preferring Greek, Roman and European histories and philosophy for guidance of children. The difference between the America he wanted and the reality of today is striking. Which is better? Each must judge, but this is a must read book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Caveat Emptor, December 4, 2008

By 

F. D. Bartlett Jr. "Bart" (Canton, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Notes on the State of Virginia (Hardcover)

This is a comment on the quality of the binding...not the content of the book (which I haven't read). I ordered this as a gift and specifically chose the "hardbound" copy instead of the "paperback" because it was a gift and I assumed at the price ($63.96) that it would be beautifully bound and keepsake quality. I was nothing less than shocked to receive a small book bound in the manner of children's books. (For those familiar with Nancy Drew books, it's about that size with that type of binding...thin plastic over cardboard and no dust jacket.) I am returning this and ordering the paperback version and using the remaining $50 to buy another gift to go along with it.

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jefferson's Brilliance, April 28, 2003

By 

G. F Gori "Jeffersonian libertarian" (Manteca, ca United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Notes on the State of Virginia (Hardcover)

Thomas Jefferson's " Notes on the State of Virginia" is a brilliant piece of history, sociology, law, geology, government,and science. This work, Jefferson's only book, shows his powerful, brilliant mind at it's best. Jefferson shows the depth of his knowledge, not just on his own beautiful state, but on human nature itself. Some of the gems in this work are his views on education, advocating free public education for all, free government, advocating a revisal of the defective original Virginia Constitution. His knowledge of slavery, and the Indian races before his eyes are from personal experience and observation. Although painted by the deconstuctionist left as a "racist" Jefferson was a dangerous radical to the Virginia gentry due to his advocacy of emacipation and deportation of slaves. His views on black inferiority are exaggerated since he placed them forth as a scientific hypothesis based on personal observation. Jefferson could not see a "multicultural" society in America made up of former masters and slaves with resentment and prejudice still in the hearts of both. Many of his predictions about race relations have come true: hate, resentment, power struggles, and a continuing obsession which he forsaw would destroy the America Republic.

The best edited version of the is Koch and Peden's edited on in "The Life and Selected Writings of Thomas Jefferson", but the full Notes is very good, but the reader must be prepared for numerous charts and tables. Overall a great book, and buy!