Thomas Jefferson

by Henry Moscow

President Thomas Jefferson wrote America's Declaration of Independence, but he also was an anthropologist, an architect, an astronomer, a botanist, a diplomat, a farmer, an inventor, a lawyer, a mathematician, and a musician. He spoke French, Greek, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. He founded the University of Virginia and today's Democratic Party. During his eight years in office, he doubled the country's size. Public schools, the denominations of American coins, and many of the liberties citizens of the United States take for granted are, in one way or another, the work of the man who was born on April 13, 1743, in a simple four-room house in Shadwell, Virginia.

Genres: Biography, American History, History, Nonfiction

Audible Audio

First published January 7, 2015

Reviews

[Josh O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was very short, which, while I was looking for a more brief overview of his life, rather than some of the larger works I have been reading, I felt it was too short to do justice to the man. I felt there were some inaccuracies or conclusions jumped to. I feel it’s ok to make a conclusion where facts are lacking in a book like this as long as you bring attention the fact that it is an assumption and not necessarily fact. In particular, the author acts as if its complete fact that there was a relationship with Hemings and that he fathered her children, when common scholarship still questions that. The relationship between Jefferson and Adams also completely skips the main difference between them which was their views of humanity and human nature, with Adams a realist and Jefferson an optimist. It would have been nice to get a little more fleshing out of some of the more momentous decisions that Jefferson made as well.

[Asderathos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even as I have seen the Sally Hemmings lie repeated again and again, a lie that originated in print with a malicious muck raker whose only purpose in publishing it was to harm Jefferson [later in the book it is admitted], as is universally admitted by historians, I still didn't expect to see this lie repeated here, in so pleasant a biography, and without the point conceded that John Callender was a muck raker, motivated by malice.
If a biography is to make a mistake on Jefferson, this is the one expected to be made.
...
As I continue reading this book I continually recognize important contexts glossed over and misleading characterizations. But the peak outrage so far has been the characterization of Callender as being 'hired by Jefferson', which is an outright lie. Relevantly the nature of 'campaigning' being wholly different in that period then today was not explained as such.
...
I find some more falsehoods. The $50 given to Callender was not 'pay' but rather charity.
...

[Teresa McKinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Jefferson

I learned more about Thomas Jefferson and I was extremely happy with the information this book delivered. I also am excited to learn even more about him.

[Ryk Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted a brief book and got one. I enjoyed it!

[Samantha Tully · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not an American, but I was interested in this one. If you can, get the audiobook. It's magical.

[Lindy Bruzzone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, well researched read...

...of the life of Thomas Jefferson, spanning his lifetime from birth to death. Moscow captures Jefferson's strong personality and soft heart, as well as the staunch determination of one of America's founders and early presidents. Easy to follow and written in a manner that is enjoyable, I highly recommend it for young students of history and all voters who desire to understand the thoughts and intent of our founders and the "spirit of law" behind our Constitution.

[Beverly McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you first stumble onto this book, you can help but think "Oh, no! Another biography! However,
Henry Moscow presentation of this biography on our third president is different. I have always considered Mr. Thomas Jefferson to be an example of a “renaissances” man and this has been confirmed by this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and definitely recommend it. It was an easy read. I liked the way Moscow covered Jefferson’s life in each chapter starting with his life as a planter’s son and going through his career as statesman and author of the Declaration of Independence as well as a father. This book was more than just a trip down the biographical timeline. Moscow provides a very humanistic portrayal of Jefferson and what life was like during this fascinating time in our nation’s history.

[Janine Urban · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good choice if you're looking for an overview on the life of Thomas Jefferson. However, I'm nosey and need more details. And I like to have pictures with a biography too. I was disappointed that the book tended to highlight Jeffersons good points and achievements and the book lacked balance between good and bad that may have made it better. Suffice it to say, I will need to read another biography to satisfy my curiosity.

[Anne Schell · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book stated rumors as facts

This book would have been a delightful quick overview of Thomas Jefferson's life except for the very annoying habit of stating rumors as known facts, i.e. Sally Jennings. Since the author's statements about the relationship between the two was stated as fact, I have to wonder what else was stated as fact when it was notb

[Lee Tyner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Content

I wanted a shorter book in Jefferson in contrast to the 400 page biographies. This accomplished that and had very interesting history and content. The authors writing style could improve though and was choppy at times.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

This book was interesting but I thought Sally Hemmings children was not I repeat was not Jeffersons. But there were many things in the book I did learn about Jefferson I did not know before.