Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness (Modern Library Classics) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Eric Petersen (Editor) "I have ever thought religion a concern purely between our God and our consciences, for which we were accountable to Him, and not to the..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Except for a few items from public papers, such as Jefferson's first inaugural address, the excerpts in Peterson's arrangement of Jeffersonian precepts come from the third president's lifetime output of thousands of letters. The source endows each selection a level of one-to-one intimacy (Peterson's notes identify the recipient of each letter) while retaining a generality Jefferson intended to the credos he was enunciating to his correspondent. Peterson categorizes Jefferson's wisdom into virtues (e.g., "patience") or attitudes (e.g., "living in the present") and is forthright in his introduction about his enthusiasm for Jefferson's philosophical musings about the conduct of life, religion, and government. His readers will be confreres sharing this interest; those more drawn to Jefferson's biography will be consulting the wrong book, for the selections are not given historical context. They stand on their own, as Jefferson hoped an enlightened, self-governing people would, and his belief in what the American Revolution represented to the world is adequately indicated by Peterson's choices. A collection to pique browsers of the Jefferson shelf. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

“An extraordinary distillation of the though and wisdom of Thomas Jefferson.”
—MERRILL D. PETERSON, professor emeritus of history, University of Virginia, author of The Jefferson Image in the American Mind


“Seamlessly weaving Jefferson’s wisdom and lively moral imagination into discrete an dtimeless meditations, this far from common ‘commonplace book’ brings Jefferson’s thoughts alive again for a new generation of Americans.”
—FORREST CHURCH, author of The American Creed and editor of The Jefferson Bible



From the Hardcover edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Modern Library; Modern Library Paperback Ed edition (June 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812974328
• ISBN-13: 978-0812974324
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #237,351 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read, interesting and intellectual., June 22, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness (Modern Library) (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book, there are life lessons in here that anyone, regardless of race or age, can learn from. Sometimes in life, you need to look back before you can move forward, this book provides that opportunity by featuring the ideals that were important to Thomas Jefferson. Ideals that resonate just as much today as they did back then.

I bought a copy for my son who's heading off to college in the Fall, always helps to remind today's youth that things like honor, trust and dedication are timeless values that can help them succeed in any walk of life.

I checked out the author's site too, they have some great free content - and a free Thomas Jefferson screensaver, which as a teacher I really liked - it's at :: www.lightandliberty.org.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A quick, but thought-provoking read., July 7, 2004

By	Peggy Carlaw (San Luis Obispo, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness (Modern Library) (Hardcover)

Peterson's selections not only point out tips for our leaders--both Democrat and Republican--that would serve as reminders to get our country back on track, but they also remind us of how we can each live our ordinary lives in a way that contributes to the overall good of society. A very inspirational book!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Marks, July 25, 2004

By	P.K. (Boston, Mass. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness (Modern Library) (Hardcover)

A nicely done anthology of precepts from Thomas Jefferson's writings. The author must have read the thousands of letters written by Jefferson during his lifetime. The only other book I have ever seen in which the author has taken the time to read everything in Jefferson's own hand is the book, West Point: Thomas Jefferson: Character Leadership Education, by Norman Thomas Remick. High marks and admiration to Mr. Petersen for his dedication and perseverance. Recommended to all.