Customer Reviews

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

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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!

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.

This classic is probably the best one-volume history 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. I believe it to be the most 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 more towards Jefferson's role in American history, hence the title. This thick book is about as thorough as you can get in one volume, with a few quibbles.

The sections in this book about Jefferson's formative years in Virginia are especially interesting. Then he was a young man seeking enlightenment, as well as a lawyer and planter. Peterson especially understands Jefferson the thinker. What is liberty? Jefferson achieved the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which guaranteed religious liberty. How did Jefferson come to declare that "all men are created equal" and "the unalienable Rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness?" How did Jefferson's experiences influence what it means to be America?

Jefferson became Governor of Virginia and held important diplomatic posts. George Washington appointed Jefferson the first ever Secretary of State - the most important executive position other than president. At this time his Republicanism (not to be confused with the Republican party) came into conflict with those of Federalist Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson then became vice president under president John Adams, his former close friend but by now an adversary, due to a quirk in early election laws (later changed). He quit because he disagreed with the Federalists.

Jefferson ran against Adams for the presidency and won. Jefferson's inauguration speech to reach out to his opponents and unite America was deeply moving. (Well, the words of the speech were moving. Jefferson was a terrible speaker.) 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. He was a superb head of state, but Jefferson worked especially hard to advance his cause of individual liberty, because of his enlightened ideas and his earlier experiences with corrupted power in the old world. The book emphasizes Jefferson's opposition to Hamilton's views. 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. They wrote frequently to each other (Jefferson wrote thousands of letters in his lifetime) 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.

The other reviews here go into some depth on the book, but mine rather is more in the form of a personal testament. There is so much to Jefferson's life, as with our other founding 'fathers' that I will not do him the injustice of trying to sum it up in only a few paragraphs.

When this book came out in 1970 I was in college, I'm now 61 years of age. Gives some indication how long this book has been continuously in print. With good reason for this is probably the best single volume on Jefferson's life ever printed.

When I was at Monticello last year I noticed several books on or about Jefferson in the Mountaintop Shop and Monticello Museum, but prominently displayed too was this volume. Whenever I go to Borders bookstores this volume is on their shelves. It continues to be ubiquitous after almost 35 years.

This book is and has been an essential in my library, along side the Dumas Malone study, as well nigh on to 20 other volumes on Jefferson or his times. Though the subject matter in books on Thomas Jefferson is varied and extensive, this one volume study is an essential one for me.

I recommend it to both the novice or the seasoned Jefferson reader, neither will be disappointed.

Semper Fi.

I'll start with what I liked about this book. The coverage of the Louisiana Purchase was exciting. Jefferson's ill-fated embargo in 1807 was really well done. The descriptions all throughout the book of Jefferson's underlying politics were enlightening. I certainly understood why Jefferson did what he did.

But if this was the only book you read about the American revolution and its aftermath, you'd think that the word "Federalist" was an obscenity. The book was so over-the-top pro-Jefferson, that it made me doubt the author's perspective on everything. So having trudged through all 1000 pages, I still have no idea what the great things were that TJ did, because according to Peterson, everything was great.

The book should have been 300 or 400 pages shorter. Every event in Jefferson's life is covered thoroughly, but each one goes on a little too long. Actually, if the author had simply taken out the paragraph or two in each section where he blames Hamilton for whatever just happened, I think he would have gotten it down a couple hundred pages on that alone.

He does. And this may well be the finest look at him, and the greatest one volume biography in the English language. There are few truly great works of biography, and my list, like the list of most everybody, centers on people I like, and admire...Freeman's massive, multi-volume, studies of Generals Lee and Washington...Robert Douthat Meade's looks at Patrick Henry [two volumes], and Judah Benjamin...Charles Roland's Albert Sidney Johnston...Glenn Robins' Bishop Polk; of course, ANY list, subjective or objective, must have Dumas Malone's six-volume "Jefferson And His Time" at, or near, the top. One man got two of the greatest works? Not surprising; he was quite a man. Peterson and Malone were friends, and colleagues, at the University of Virginia, and had very similar views of Mr. Jefferson; of course, Jefferson has caused a LOT of ink to be used, and always will. The books are good, bad, indifferent, and stupid...with some flat-out lies thrown in. But, there are two truly great biographies available, and one is our subject here....

Thomas Jefferson [1743-1826] crowded more accomplishments, and interests, into one lifetime than seems possible. Yet, for all the huge record he created, both public and private, he remains for us a riddle that we just can't solve. That's true for me, and Dr. Peterson has stated that it's true for him, too. Jefferson can be quoted to "prove" ANYTHING. He who said that "all men are created equal" had some observations on the orangutang. Union was desirable; secession a free choice. Many of the quotes embarass some in our day; with most, we have no earthly idea what he meant, even when we think we do. I may as well state my own theory right here; at least part of the genius of Thomas Jefferson is that he was a man not troubled by contradictions. He was both public and private, theoretical and practical, open and secretive...and it never bothered him a bit.

This is an absolutely outstanding, and very complete, cradle to grave study of Mr. Jefferson. It's ALL here, in detail, from family background on. Details of education, his various "loves" [Betsey Walker is apologized for, and Sally is dismissed], the keys to the founding of America, his repeated "retirements", and "reluctant" returns to public service. Maria Cosway gets plenty of space, though there is no proof that the relationship was anything more than an improper friendship. His service as Minister to France, and his miseries as Secretary of State, and Vice President are looked at in great detail. The breaks with Washington and Adams, the mutual hatred with Hamilton and Marshall, get full coverage. {Marshall, at least, was loyal to America}. Aaron Burr? James Callendar? Yes, they're here, and we wish they didn't have to be.
Two terms as President, one joyous [LOUISIANA!!], one a real pain......Thru it all, books, debts, books, debts, religion, farming, science, architecture, religion? Monticello, more debts, more books, letters, letters, letters.......[he was NOT an athiest]........

Thomas Jefferson wrote the inscription for his own tombstone [the one you can see at Monticello is a replacement, the original having been taken by souvenir hunters]; he wanted to be remembered as the author of the Declaration of Independence, and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and the father of the University of Virginia; these subjects are all studied at to perfection.

If you want one complete volume on Thomas Jefferson, start, and end, right here. It is total, comprehensive, and very readable. Dr. Peterson is the greatest living Jefferson scholar. Period. However, it is 1,009 pages of small print. I fear that many of the copies sold end up on shelves, collecting dust. Sad. Don't waste your money just to stick it on a shelf so folks can see how smart you are; that insults Dr. Peterson. I usually recommend the works of Joe Ellis, or Noble Cunningham {NOT Fawn Brodie}, and they're very good, but....If you want it ALL, Dumas Malone is readable, and easily available. One way or another, Jefferson deserves your best effort. He invented America, and as noted in my headline, John Adams' last words were absolutely correct...he, indeed, still survives.

Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation is a superb one-volume treatment of America's most important and intriguing figures. Writing a book about a statesman whose career included so many achievements and included so many offices over the course of so many years is a tough task. But author Merrill D. Peterson succeeds in a thoroughly readable account of the author of the Declaration of Independence, our first SecState and our third POTUS.

Peterson's book offers a decidedly sympathetic look at Jefferson and his life. One can't help but come away from reading the book with sense of partiality toward Jefferson. For this reviewer, this perspective was a welcome one, having previously spent much more time reading and reflecting from the Hamiltonian/Marshallian point of view.

As mentioned, the author covers the whole of Jefferson's life. This includes humble beginnings in Virginia, a short law practice, early election as a Burgess, the Governorship of Virginia, service in the Continental Congress, time abroad as an emissary to France, service in the Washington Administration as Secretary of State, a term as our nation's Vice-President, leader of the emerging Democratic-Republican party, two terms as President, and a life of retirement in Monticello. That's a lot. But it necessarily means that the author couldn't delve too deeply into any particular episode. For instance, the suicide of Meriwether Lewis--Jefferson's former personal secretary and the man Jefferson commissioned for the famous expedition--is only mentioned in passing with no reflection on their relationship or Jefferson's assessment of Lewis. Simply put, 1,000 pages aren't nearly enough to chronicle the many facets and events of Jefferson's accomplished life. But this volume makes for a terrific start to a more intensive study of Jefferson.

Along the way, Peterson does take time to reflect on Jefferson's views and actions toward slavery. Nothing groundbreaking emerges, as one comes away with the sense that Jefferson had moral qualms with the institution that was part of the society he was born into, but that he either had no ideas of how to address the problem or the means to do anything. Jefferson's long-standing interest in fighting the Barbary pirates is also of significance to today's readers, as we try to draw lessons from America's past in confronting modern day jihadi terrorism.

Finally, despite all he achieved in life, readers are also confronted with a man who suffered profound loss and sadness. The death of his wife and children aren't addressed at length, but are touched on just enough to convey the sense of grief that the man endured. Sadly, the book also suggests that Jefferson's life of retirement was largely unfulfilled and beset by difficulties that continued until the July 4 day he died.

A good Jefferson biography can be hard to find. I couldn't bring myself to read Joseph Ellis's Jefferson bio, "American Sphinx," since I remain too distrustful of any historian who repeatedly lied about serving his country in war. Peterson's book was the perfect alternative. Unlike Ellis's book, however, you probably won't find Peterson's book at your local bookstore. (Though I did spot a copy in Monticello's gift shop.)

I highly recommend Merrill D. Peterson's "Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation."

I've seen Peterson's referred to as the definitive single-volume biography of Jefferson; if that's the case, it doesn't say much for the quality of Jefferson biographies. Peterson's work is minutely detailed (at 1000 pages, how could it be otherwise?), amply researched, and passionately argued - and in spite of that, it's still only a partial success. As is common among scholarship surrounding the nation's founders, Peterson is so overawed by his subject's achievements that the man himself is obscured. What I mean is, Peterson has a tendancy to uncritically take Jefferson at his word regarding his intentions and his motivations. There's evidence to suggest that Jefferson's man-of-the-people reputation was a carefully calculated pose - remember, this is the same guy who spent much of the 1780s as a Parisian dandy, and went into massive debt to acquire and ship home art, furniture, books, wine, and assorted European finery. Let me be clear, I don't think there's anything wrong, per se, with Jefferson engaging in personal mythmaking or cultivating a public persona calculated to endear him to the American public; it just doesn't speak well for Peterson that he buys into it so wholeheartedly. Likewise, Peterson takes Jefferson's multiple retirements from public office at face value, portraying him as a humble servant drawn reluctantly into public life and thereby obscuring the ambitious politician who willingly compromised some of his most cherished principles to gain the highest office in the land and fanned the flames of sectionalism and disunion (both in and out of public office) in order to clear a path to power for himself. So, in conclusion, while there's a lot to be gained by reading Peterson's book, take it with a grain of salt. To his credit, Peterson is able to overcome his admiration for his subject to admit that Jefferson made some massive blunders durhing his presidency, but the author is too much a partisan of Jefferson's to be solely relied upon.

It is hard to believe that this book was written only 40 years ago. The writing is tendentious and florid to the point where I found it unreadable; it is something that I would expect from a 19th-century document. If this book were first published today, no respected viewer would recommend it; it's a period piece. Likewise, the omission of references is no longer acceptable.

To be frank, I was unable to get more than partway through the book -- I was not prepared to slog through 1,000 pages with gritted teeth, although I gave it a fair try. This book was a deep disappointment.

The book arrived in good condition -- a very thick volume which will take me some time to read.Please do not publish my name in any revies list that you publish.