Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation: A Biography (Galaxy Books) [Paperback]

Merrill D. Peterson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195019091 | ISBN-13: 978-0195019094 | Publication Date: 1975

The definitive life of Jefferson in one volume, this biography relates Jefferson's private life and thought to his prominent public position and reveals the rich complexity of his development. As Peterson explores the dominant themes guiding Jefferson's career--democracy, nationality, and enlightenment--and Jefferson's powerful role in shaping America, he simultaneously tells the story of nation coming into being.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Covers Jefferson's entire life with remarkable thoroughness."--New York Review of Books.

"A noble and fascinating study."--Chicago Tribune Book World.

"A masterly biography....An urbane and graceful style, marked by a sure sense of language, makes the book a pleasure to read."--Journal of Southern History

"The most comprehensive and balanced single-volumed study of Jefferson ever written."--Virginia Quarterly Review

About the Author

Merrill D. Peterson is at University of Virginia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1072 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (1975)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195019091
• ISBN-13: 978-0195019094
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #590,491 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth reading, very readable, April 28, 2005

By 

Howard Schulman (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation: A Biography (Galaxy Books) (Paperback)

For people who have recently become interested in the Founding Fathers and are interested in Thomas Jefferson, this is the book to read. I had just read Chernow's Hamilton and Ellis' Sphinx and several other recently written books on the Founding Fathers, and almost all of them had bad things to say about Jefferson. So much so that I really began to wonder how it came to be that Jefferson had gained such a great reputation. Why is his name revered???

Finally, I found a book that unabashedly took Jefferson's point of view on every single issue, which was refreshing. It balanced the lopsided information I had been receiving, though, knowing what I knew, I could also see where Peterson was possibly stretching things, such as portraying Jefferson as anti-slavery....Though at least I heard the rebuttal to Jefferson's pro-slavery leanings. Jefferson clearly couldn't have made the USA all by himself, as Hamilton could have, but Jefferson was clearly an important part of the picture.

One reservation I had going into the book is that the Jefferson papers were really just in the middle of being editted at Princeton University when the book was written in 1970. I was concerned that this edition may be lacking important information. It may have, but for an enthusiast like myself, the knowledge available in 1970, when the book was written, by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Professor at the University of Virginia, was good enough.

The book, in short, is still considered the gold-standard biography of Jefferson, in addition to the six volume Dumas Malone work, which is simply too long. The book is very easy to read. The most interesting sections were on Jefferson's time in the Virginia legislature and as Governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary War, the leadup negotiation to and effects of the Louisiana Purchase, and the Burr conspiracy, in which the former Vice President to Jefferson tried to head up a break-away republic in the newly-purchased Louisiana purchase territory with him at the head.

The book is definitely long, just a few pages of text over 1000 pages, the longest book I had ever read, but the material is great. There's tons of quotes and source material written in the book, as one would expect from an author who had dedicated his entire life to Jefferson. There's an earlier book by Peterson, "The Image of Jefferson" which actually answers the question of how Jefferson has been portrayed throughout our history, which sounds fascinating. Jefferson's image is tarnished right now, but in prior eras, he was looked up to as a beacon of hope. I plan to read that one at some point, but, after 1000 pages of stright TJ, I need a break.

Just one other note, the second section "Philosopher of the Revolution", should really by re-read after you finish the book. You'll understand what Peterson is talking about better. You'll enjoy the book, all 1000 pages of it!

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very thorough view of a complex man, February 24, 2006

By 

Thomas A. Wheeler (Cottage Grove, OR) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation: A Biography (Galaxy Books) (Paperback)

Over the last several years I've read about 40 presidential biographies, usually relying on Amazon reviewers to point me towards the best and most comprehensive works. I struggled in my choice of a Jefferson biography, but I'm glad I opted for Peterson's work. First, it is a massive 1,000 pages, and it`s not for the faint of heart. While Peterson writes well, he certainly doesn't have the breezy style of a David McCullough or a Robert Dallek. Even hardy readers will feel a bit spent with the complex content from time to time, and I'd doubt most high school readers' ability to wade through the material.

Despite these cautions, I give Peterson's book a very high rating. Peterson captured Jefferson's personality, accomplishments, and flaws. With as complex a guy as TJ, this is not easy. Peterson also describes the conflicts between Jefferson and the various Federalists as well as anyone I've read thus far. Jefferson saw this conflict as more treacherous for the US than the Revolutionary War (and his concerns are highly relevant is viewing today's politics).

The emphasis is on Jefferson and his public life, and to a somewhat lesser extent on Jefferson's private self. It was written many years prior to the DNA testing of Sally Hemmings' heirs, and while Peterson briefly discusses the accusations of a Jefferson - Hemmings relationship, he dismisses it in favor of another Jefferson relative. But Peterson does not overlook Jefferson's conflicts about slavery, manumission, liberty, etc. As with other aspects of Jefferson's life, Peterson presents a comprehensive view and he is willing to point out Jefferson's mistakes. Does Peterson's probable error regarding the Hemming's controversy diminish this biography? Well, maybe, but with a man like Jefferson, this is but one facet of a very thorough and well-reasoned look at a extremely complex man who played a major role in several of the US's most challenging eras.

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional. Probably the Best One-Volume Book on Jefferson, May 2, 2005

By 

T. Carlsen - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation: A Biography (Galaxy Books) (Paperback)

This classic is one of the best one-volume histories of Thomas Jefferson ever written. Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Gordon Wood called this book "the most comprehensive and balanced single-volumed study of Jefferson ever written." I found the writing to very detailed and to the caliber of a reference work, but probably too lengthy and meticulous for the casual reader. It also is favorable to Jefferson. I believe it to be an authoritative book on Thomas Jefferson.

What distinguishes this book is that 1) Peterson the Jefferson scholar has an unrivaled understanding of Jefferson 2) Peterson explains Jefferson's thinking especially well 3) Peterson covers Jefferson's life in sprawling detail, though 3) Peterson's emphasis leans towards Jefferson's view in American history, hence the title.

The sections in this book about Jefferson's formative years in Virginia are especially interesting. Then he was a young man seeking enlightenment. He loved education, was a planter, and became a good lawyer. He was asked to draft the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson held several political and diplomatic positions. George Washington appointed Jefferson the first Secretary of State - the most important executive position other than president. At this time his views came into conflict with those of Federalist Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson ran against Adams for the presidency and won. As president he orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase, despite the fact he had argued that the federal government did not have this power and favored power for the states. He launched the fascinating Lewis and Clark Expedition. He used to power of the presidency to emphasize the people. Although issues such as westward expansion and where Hamilton was correct will always be open to interpretation, Jefferson's first term was a triumph. Jefferson made some mistakes in his second term as president, such as a foolish embargo. After being president, Jefferson founded the University of Virginia and even designed the neo-classical campus buildings. By then the rival Federalist party had become extinct and there was briefly only one party - the party of Jefferson! He renewed his friendship with Adams late in life, and they both died on July 4. He later advocated more the power of the states, despite exercising strong power as the president of the United States. Jefferson was an egalitarian aristocrat of reason, liberty, ideas, and achievement.