Jefferson: A Great American's Life and Ideas

by Saul K. Padover

This famous biography has been in print for more than 40 years and stands as Jefferson's life story. It traces his life from his childhood as the son of a Virginia planter, to his years as a lawyer, to the Revolutionary War and the early years of the Union.

Genres: Biography, History, Presidents, American History, Nonfiction

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1942

About the author

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1...

Saul Kussiel Padover was an Austrian-born American professor, writer, and historian.

He was married first to Irina Padover and then to screenwriter Peggy Thompson, also known as Peg Fenwick.

Reviews

[Fran]

I don't like reading history (unless it's by David McCullough or Doris Kearns Goodwin) but this was excellent. It's easy to read, even humorous in places. It fills in all the gaps grade school, high school and even college classes left.

[Rbell]

I learned so much about Jefferson they don't teach in school.

[Chet Herbert]

An eye-rolling, white-washed (1942/abridged 1970) hagiographic partisan hackography of the ever virtuous, always correct, Saint Jefferson. For example, on returning to Monticello after having been offered the position of Washington's Secretary of State, Padover writes: "Never before had there been such jubilation as now took place when the master and his two attractive daughters arrived home. The Negroes had learned of the approach . . . and they streamed down the mountain in a frenzy of excitement. Nothing, not even the entreaties of the master, could stop the slaves from unhitching the four horses and pushing and dragging the heavy vehicle up the steep mountain to the house. And when Jefferson, himself deeply moved, stepped out of the carriage, his slaves fell upon him in an orgy of worship. 'When the door of the carriage was opened," [daughter] Martha relates, 'they received him in their arms and bore him to the house, crowding around and kissing his hands and feet--some blubbering and crying--others laughing. It seemed impossible to satisfy their anxiety to touch and kiss the very earth which bore him.' " So very objective, of course. Elsewhere the author continues, "In a slave economy the planter had little choice but to continue using slave labor or to bankrupt himself by liberating his Negroes. Freeing the slaves, however, was no solution either, for such freedom, unable to find free work in a slave world, would be certain to be exposed to beggary or starvation. Moreover, the slaves were neither morally nor technically prepared to make an independent living in a competitive world." With unassailable logic like this, it is astounding (not to mention inhumane, apparently) that slaves ever gained their freedom!

[Lee Murray Brazos Booksellers]

This book is extremely biased, almost to the point of untruth. Clearly the author was a true fan of Jefferson, but he also shared frequently his own personal political beliefs.

As a book written in the ‘50’s, this is not unusual, but there is scarcely a negative word about Jefferson, and whole periods of Jefferson’s beba are skimmed over.

Jefferson was a better man than this book displays.

[Dalton Sweeney]

Great summary bio of an underrated founding father

“How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy.”

[DUSHYANT SHUKLA]

Amazing book on the life of an extraordinary man. Book clearly mentions that Thomas Jefferson to face the tug of war between his personal life and professional-political life. He was not only a politician but also a philosopher,scientist,mathematician,artist, architect etc. His job profile is extraordinary too. First secretary of state, Vice President number two and the third president of the United States of America.

[Matthew Kresal]

I'll start off my review by saying this: Jefferson is a good introductory biography of Thomas Jefferson. Having said that much, what does that mean? It means that this is neither best Jefferson biography out there nor is it the worst by any means either. Yet it is a good book nonetheless.

Author Saul K. Padover makes this biography of Jefferson a nice read for the most part, though it does have some considerable flaws. It is detailed in some areas (Jefferson's early life and later life in particular). Yet the book suffers from not being very well detailed in some areas. The biggest example of this is the feuding between the Federalist and Republicans, which stands out in my mind as being a rather disappointing section. One also has to keep ion mind when this book was written because much of the more recent revelations about Jefferson are missing. In fact Sally Hemmings doesn't get a single mention as far as I can remember. Then again this is more of an introductory biography so perhaps this is not a bad thing.

It might not be the best Jefferson biography but it also far from the worst. It may lack details and be out of date in terms of more recent revelations but that doesn't mean it isn't worth being read though. In fact it still makes a good introduction for the general reader. In fact if you're looking for a good place to start and are someone who hasn't read much on Thomas Jefferson, this is the place to start.

[Dwayne Smith]

This was a very short and easy to read biography of the author of our deceleration. I found the last chapter talking about his last days to be the most intriguing. The details of his presidency were very well done and I especially enjoyed reading about his reunion with his old friend John Adams through their letter writing.

[Avrel Seale]

This book started me on a TJ jag that lasted for years and led to probably a dozen other Jefferson books.

[Brian]

My copy is tattered and dog-eared. One of the few non-fiction works that i've read again and again.

[Marcos]

Good and brief historical account of Jefferson's life. It sheds a clear light on his sensitive character and on his passion for a true democratic nation, freed of monarchical and despotic control.

[Coyla]

I enjoyed this little book so much that I quickly sent a copy to all my family.

[Mary Alice McKean]

Slow going so far with this one, but I am trying! I tend to get sidetracked.

[Shawn]

An easy to read biography of our third President. I would recommend it to anyone who would like to know more about one of our Founding Fathers.

[Shawn]

Excellent book, I'm even more of a Thomas Jefferson fan now.

[Jack Hansen]

A wonderful look into the man, well written and easily absorbed.

[John Grace]

My Mentor paperback is an abridged edition, which may be why it seems to gloss over some events too quickly. Like a Landmark book for adults, a solid bio, but not definitive.

[Patrick]

Thomas Jefferson is an idol for any American and intellectual. Great book!