Notes on the State of Virginia (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

by Thomas Jefferson (Author), Frank Shuffelton (Editor) "Virginia is bounded on the East by the Atlantic: on the North by a line of latitude, crossing the Eastern Shore through Watkins's Point, being..." (more)
Key Phrases: palmated elk, loaded batteaux, mysterious obligation, South America, Michael Cresap, North America (more...)

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
-- Review --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics; annotated edition edition (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140436677
• ISBN-13: 978-0140436679
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #303,986 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 15 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.

11 of 14 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 (REAL NAME)

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!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for the casual reader of history, January 9, 1998

By A Customer

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

How can you rate a book by Thomas Jefferson as anything less than a "10?" I am not an expert on translations or interpretations of historical texts, but this book is well put together with informative footnotes. Anyone who is interested in Virginia and early U.S. history and/or Jeffersonian philosophy will enjoy and use this book.