Customer Reviews

Thomas Jefferson : Writings : Autobiography / Notes on the State of Virginia / Public and Private Papers / Addresses / Letters (Library of America)

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As a student in England, doing work on military academies, I came across the notes, papers, writings, etc of Thomas Jefferson in the bibliography of "West Point", by Norman Thomas Remick. I'm absolutely thrilled that Merrill D. Peterson has put it all together in one 1600 page book. It makes this part of my project almost like one stop shopping. The book is marvelous as a research reference, while at the same time being very interesting reading. By the way, as I see that the book "West Point" is not among the Amazon books on Thomas Jefferson, I hereby highly recommend it to you. It was marvelously interesting, as well.

What a difference of few decades make. When I was a youngster the founders were all revered and taught in school. Nowadays, they are almost ignored and condemned for not conforming to our modern view of morality. Of course, the present view is both arrogant and ignorant because we assume that future generations will believe as we do and lacks the humility to realize that the human condition is fraught with weakness and sin as well as triumph and wisdom.

Thomas Jefferson was one of the most remarkable men this country or any country has ever produced. All you need do is sample these writings and you will begin to understand the powers of his mind, the charisma he manifested, the range of his interests, and the paradoxical foibles as well. The writings included here are his autobiography, his Notes on Virginia, all kinds of essays, letters, speeches, and selected other papers.

He writes of philosophy, English prosody, natural history, political observations, the history of the Founding, theological beliefs, and many other topics. Both of his inaugural addresses are included as well has his notices to Congress (what we now call State of the Union Addresses used to be handled in a letter). There are also letters to Indian tribes that are quite interesting.

The idea that the Indian tribes would want to remain as they were seemed a mistaken to notion to Jefferson and his contemporaries. They needed to understand that realities of their world had changed forever and they had great opportunities for improving their lives (as he saw it). Their rejection of overtures to assimilate seemed evidence of an imprisoned mind rather than what we would call a "lifestyle choice".

This is another of the great volumes from the Library of America. It includes a chronology of Jefferson's life, great notes on the texts included, and an index.

Something you really should have on your shelf of American History and our Founding.

This edition of Jefferson's writings is an excellent comrehensive collection. Edited by Jefferson biographer Merrill Peterson this volume is a treasure.

It includes Jefferson's Anas, Autobiography, The Notes on Virginia( complete), Summary View of the Rights of British America, his version of the Declaration of Independence, numerous public papers, and addresses. This volume is a must have for the Jefferson reader. It also very necassary for the current state of the American Republic which would be wise to hear the words of this great man. A great buy!

The persons who reviewed this wonderful book have done a fine job. My review intends to point out some aspects of the Writings unmentioned by the other reviewers.

First, Jefferson was a GREAT stylist. He's a delight to read.

Second, in his little Autobiography he shows the Declaration of Independence as he originally wrote it, shows the additions, the major deletions, and the finished product. I was amazed at how he was furious with England for enslaving Africans. The king, says Jefferson's original, "has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere...." And even more in that vein. Unfortunately, Congress deleted all that.

Third, his detailed "Notes on the State of Virginia" (good reading) display something of the broad range of Jefferson's interests, and the depth of his knowledge. They also give strong hints as to why he sent out Lewis and Clark -- and had them well prepared -- as well as Zebulon Pike and, on the Red River, Freeman. I recommend that immediately after reading the Notes, turn to J's 1803 letter of instruction to Merriwether Lewis. It's just an amazing piece of work: less than seven pages of the book -- and Jefferson planned the whole Lewis and Clark expedition BEFORE he had acquired the Louisiana territory.

Fourth, I got a charge out of the variety of the matters he dealt with when he was President. In a single year, 1803, for instance, he was grappling with the nation's division between democracy, which he championed, and aristocracy, which he viewed the Federalsts as working toward; he found time to write a serious missive concerning his views of Jesus as opposed to the major Greek and Roman philosophers and the Jews; he instructed William H. harrison regarding Jefferson's deep policy regarding the Indians; he focused upon agriculture -- the successful use of gypsum in Louden County, VA; reduction of the costs of government, and of course the Louisiana Purchase. Wow!

Fifth, his writings to John Adams, and Abigail, may tantalize some of us into reading both ends of their correspondence.

Of course, there's much, much more. After I got well into Jefferson's writings, I was compelled to buy the Library of America edition of Madison's writings -- a dangerous situation for anyone who wants to spend leisure time doing other things than reading great works from our Founding Fathers.

First, let me start with my qualifications. I am not a history major, and my knowledge of American history is not where I would like it to be. That being said I'm sad to say that I know more than most people I run into. Sure many people have memorized dates, and can recite historical trends from memory because they had to learn it for some exam. That is not what I'm talking about!! You have to read their words, think about the times they were living in, and hardships they had to endure to give us the freedoms many of us enjoy today.

I am about a hundred pages into this massive volume of Jeffersons works, and it will take me a few years to get through it (I have other interests). However, from what I have read thus far I am very much impressed with it. Jefferson was a very strong personality who walked out on what he believed to be right. We as a nation would do well to elect a man like him into office (if you can find one). This is a man who would have gladly died for what he believed in (no really stop and think about what that means). I doubt you could find one politician in Washington who would do the same today. This is truly a teasure chest of history for those who seek to understand the history not just memorize facts.

This book is a treasure: it contains many of the writings of Thomas Jefferson, and his letters.
They are reveal a crisp thinking, like Voltaire, Rousseau, the abbey Gregoire, Rabeau Saint Etienne, and other geat thinkers of the 17th Century (T.Jefferson meet with most), as well a Pascal who was way ahead of his time. TJ try to explain the rational for generosity, compassion, respect for life, respect for people, respect for justice, and more: anyone who claims to be president of the USA (or any sovereign nation) should read and understand this book. Unfortunatly this is probably not the case... Politicians love to use a citation of TJ, but their policies would often be despised by TJ.
Let's hope that the future will give the US presidents with the values of this great thinker, and for the time being let's just be patient.

*** ""I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." *** (inscribed Jefferson Memorial)

I will never be able to write a suitable review for this book - the scope of what lies between it's covers is far too great to do justice to in a review, and I am vastly inadequate to the task in any event. So, the one I write today comes from the heart - as one of the "posterity" they speak of as they went forward in their remarkable undertaking. As one of those they "did it for."

The constructive writing of the "Articles of Confederation" was especially intriguing. The pesky issue of slavery presented an immediate and daunting problem early on within the erection of the articles of confederation. It forced an issue never dealt with before, from those educated, mostly wealthy men who would "free themselves from oppression" but had obviously never before seriously considered the oppression of others - or that it would present so large a problem in the overall picture of establishing Independence "for all". They struggled with it, agonized over it; and as can be imagined, could not agree over it. It was spell-binding to watch the process unfold - not from the pen of the "historian" but from the rapidly evolving mind of the Rebel himself - because no matter how you view it, these brilliant men were elitists within their own, considered themselves to be conceived in somewhat of a Royal Nature, too, while at the same time viewing the Crown itself as a symbol that could not longer be tolerated. The "free labor population" (Benjamin Franklin himself would have been categorized into this second group early in his career) presented essentially the same problem to them as did the slaves in the proportioning.

As a result, they found themselves dealing with their own consciences too, something that may have been a unique concept for most of them - an exercise much needed of themselves as they extended their own quest for Independence and found themselves having to deal with "all of us" into the bargain. They knew they would have only "one shot" at establishing the best of it; and amazingly they were honest and earnest in that Quest. (try that today with the political assortment we have now)

In the "republican legislature" and "revisal of the law" section of this original accounting, the struggle for the distinct separation of Church and State is one of the most important conquests ever undertaken; uprising from a birth in the human mind; and clearly demonstrates the chasm of thought processes that existed between Jefferson and other honest, though less broad-minded men who still clung to the "status quo" and did not possess the courage, judgment or the vision to want to support the concept which became a cornerstone of our Constitution.

The 'original papers' poignantly illuminate the intimate, internal working of the mind of Thomas Jefferson for the reader as nothing else can, something the "historical accounting" written by others somehow leaves wanting in the translation. To read the words straight from the mind and the pen of the "original", uncensored language, spelling, phrasing and all - is an experience anyone interested in keeping the torch of the Forefathers burning will enjoy.

Quote: 200 + years and timely: ** "I believe banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers founded." (Thomas Jefferson)***

This book highly recommended.

Thomas Jefferson is often (and justly) regarded as a consummate politician, but is perhaps less known today for his skillful prose. True, he was very much a man of the Enlightenment, and his writing style is not fashionable today; but it is clear, elegant, and satisfying. This edition brings together several of his best works in an edition which, like all of the volumes in the Library of America series, is well-edited, beautifully printed on good paper, and well bound. Both its contents and its appearance make it a welcome addition to one's library.

The "Writings of Thomas Jefferson" is an outstanding book...

Not a classic book, though: it is a compilation of many of the letters that Thomas Jefferson wrote during his long life.

My only regret here, is that many of these letters, are reply to other letters.
And it would be great to have, in either the same book, or another books, the "Letters to Thomas Jefferson" to better understand the topic, the whole story! Ideally, and easy cross-reference would be available!

There are a few letters, that I especially recommend to my friends, but it is better if you find them on your own!

I hold Thomas Jefferson Writings in such esteem, that I offered several copies (four so far) to my friends.

Thomas Jefferson is also a great bridge between European and American philosophy, wisdom... or lack of it!

This book, should be on your bookshelf, next to:

Montesquieu "Spirits of Laws" (Also "Causes de la grandeur et du declin de l'empire romain")
Rousseau "Du contrat social"
John Locke "First and second treatises of tolerance"
Edward Gibbons "Fall and decline of the Roman Empire"
And a few more, "golden nuggets of knowledge of recent US/Europe history".

This is your opportunity to hear Jefferson's reasoning directly from Jefferson. There are many opinions about who he was and what he thought. This book gives you an insight into Jefferson's thoughts, reasoning, and genius. He was very well read and had a diverse range of education--from political reasoning and law to engineering and design. These writings help you appreciate the divine placement of this principled and spectacular man at crucial time in the history for all man.