Customer Reviews

In Pursuit of Reason: The Life of Thomas Jefferson (Southern Biography Series)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book has received unwarranted bad reviews and press simply because it is 'short.' Noble E. Cunningham's purpose, it seems, for this biography of Jefferson, was to present the essential life of Jefferson in such a way that all could enjoy. There have been so many biographies written on Jefferson and most are massive multi- volumes which can come across as very daunting to the average reader.

However, this book, while very well researched and authoritative in its content, is a biography which can be read by the average Joe and the scholar alike. Cunningham's research is very well documented, and the book is put together systematically from "The Formative Years" to "The Final Legacy." So, in a brief space, one can read this volume and learn the essential/perennial events which occurred in Jefferson's life. Moreover, Cunningham delves a little into Jefferson's personal affairs, such as his lost first love - Rebecca Burwell, to his admiration for Patrick Henry. Cunningham also details Jefferson's early intellectual influences and his love for law. In fact, in 349 pages of text, the most crucial and important events which occurred, and have been documented, in Jefferson's life are present in this text.

Therefore, Cunningham's attempt in writing this size biography was not to press his reader down in certain detail. Rather, Cunningham attempted to present a Jefferson which could be widely read by most anyone. His efforts are noble and successful on that level.

However, it must be stated that if you are wanting an intricately more detailed work of Jefferson, then this book will only wet your appetite for more. There are other biographies available (massive multi- volumes) for one to delve much deeper. But here, Cunningham just simply lets his reader know some of the most crucial events and facts. That being the case, this is a good book to begin your research and study of Thomas Jefferson.

Highly condensed version of Jefferson's life, but very readable. Leaves out of the behind the scenes happenings, and intergal family life, especially of grandchildren. Good stater book for someone interested the Jefferson.

Enjoyed this book, especially the focus given to the changing relationship between Alexander Hamilton and Jefferson over the years. Enjoyed learning about the relationship between Jefferson, Madison and Monroe.

Good background and insight into the forming of the first political parties (Federalists and Republicans) as well as insight into the political tactics and "spin" each party used to advance it's agenda. Many parallels are evident to the political tactics used by the Democratic and Republican parties of today.

I am only an undergrad student, so I admit I'm not all that well read. A wealth of literature has been published on Jefferson. There are a great many books carry out in-depth studies on various aspects relating to Jefferson. This book, is, however, a brief account of Jefferson's entire life.on that account,it is obviously a limited book. Even so the dicussion on Jefferson;s two terms as president are too brief. Yet Cunningham's approach to various subjects-the Embargo, for example are fairly good. The book includes a section on jefferson's last years (in the chapter "The Sage Of Monticello)which is brief yet intersting. Overall, the book tries to encompass Jefferson's personal as well as political life in its contents.Thus it compromises with many aspects.Yet it is a fairly good book overall.It is written in lucid style and would be useful to anyone wanting to obtain a bird's eye view of the life and career of Thomas Jefferson.

In this book Noble Cunningham has managed to make one of the most fascinating figures in American history pedestrian. He provides a dutiful recounting of the facts of Jefferson's life, but never makes him come alive. His thesis--that Jefferson saw the use of reason as the highest human undertaking--is certainly valid, but Jefferson was a man of enormous contradictions, none of which are truly explored here. This book makes the man who said "Democracy ought to be periodically washed in blood" seem like a hardworking civil servant.

I've been reading biographies of the presidents in the order they served, and I have to agree with Andrew Wagner's review: I don't really feel like I know Jefferson after reading this biography. Unlike McCullough's "John Adams" or Ketcham's "James Madison: A Biography," this book deals predominantly (just shy of exclusively) with Jefferson's public life. The author seems to begrudgingly deal with Jefferson's personal life only because some exposition of it is expected at certain points (e.g., formative years, Sally Hemings). He barely mentions Jefferson's friendships with Adams, Madison, and others. You'll know more about Jefferson's personal life from reading McCullough's book on Adams than reading this biography. That said, if you're, in fact, looking for a good synopsis of Jefferson's public life only, this book does a good job.

There is no dearth of literature on Thomas Jefferson.there are numerous books that offer detailed studies on various aspects of his life, political theory and his career. This book is obviously a brief account of the life and career of Thomas Jefferson. As such, it compromises on a detailed discussion on any one aspect of Jefferson's life, but this is understandable, given the limited scope of the book. Even so the discussion on Jefferson's presidency is a little too brief. However certain topics-such as the Emabargo, are handled fairly well. overall, this book is usefull to anyone who wishes to obtain a bird's eye view of Jefferson's life.

A very balanced biography. Cunningham's treatment of Thomas Jefferson is brief, yet peppered with the interesting caveats that give a personal feel to the President. Very readable, maybe to the point only wetting your taste for biographies of Jefferson. Recommended to all ages, reading levels, and interests. The very best, bar none, one volume biography of Thomas Jefferson.

....one biography of Thomas Jefferson, and this would not be a bad choice. This is not Dumas Malone or Merrill Peterson, and doesn't claim to be. What it is is a concise, well written, account of the life of the man who "invented" America, who gave us a way to build on our hard-won freedom, and govern ourselves. Dr. Cunningham hits ALL the significant points, and, more important, makes no errors of fact [at least that I could find]. In several places, the author is not afraid to say that further exploration of a topic is beyond his intended scope. Honesty, indeed.

My decision to give five stars rests on pages 114-116, where the Tom and Sally story is looked at, and dismissed as belonging in a work of fiction, especially the Paris part. Amen. Speaking of Paris, Maria Cosway is not dismissed [she can't be], but there is no excessive hand wringing, either.

I admit I did things backwards, reading this after Malone and Peterson. This is a basic work...in the number of pages that Dr. Cunningham takes to get Jefferson to his grave, Malone has him in the midst of tribulation as Governor of Virginia, and Peterson has him in temporary bliss with Maria Cosway. This is a fine choice for 99.999%+ of readers to read one biography...so is Joseph Ellis' "American Sphinx". Likewise Willard Sterne Randall's book, though it's kind of long. The books on various side topics of Jefferson's life are virtually infinite in number, and are for poor souls like me. Forget them, especially since many tell lies that the average reader won't catch. You can order a used copy of this for a dime; it's a LOT better book than that price would indicate.

While those who revel in the ponderous, intimate-portrait biographies that have become fashion recently may be disappointed, this work provides a well-rounded portrayal of one of America's most interesting historical figures. Jefferson's public life is well represented throughout this work (though there are aspects which receive insufficient treatment, such as the Lewis & Clark Expedition). Nonetheless, Jefferson's experiences in Paris during the French Revolution and as governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary War provide insights as to who he was and how he came to be a successful two-term President.

As for his private life, Cunningham provides ample coverage. There are references to Jefferson's many letters to his daughters, providing a "warts and all" depiction of the demanding father he was; references to his letters to Madison and Adams, giving some insights into their relationships; and, for those interested in the minutia of historical trivia, even references to the number of cartons of books lost during the fire that claimed his home at Shadwell. (Cunningham's one failing in this biography was the failure to investigate more seriously the relationship between Jefferson and Sally Hemmings, though the historical significance of this relationship remains debatable).

Nonetheless, eminently accessible to casual reader, and providing insights to the more interested observer, Cunningham's will more than whet the appetite of any Jefferson enthusiast.