Jefferson: A Revealing Biography

by Page Smith

This 310-page hardcover was published in 1976 by McGraw-Hill. This book appears new internally, with minor page creases on first few pages. The dustcover has minor shelving wear, however, the hardcover looks like new. Overall, a very nice copy.

Genres: Biography, American History, The United States Of America, American Revolution, History

310 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Charles Page Smith, who was known by his middle name, was a U.S. historian, professor, author, and newspaper columnist.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Smith graduated with a B.A. degree from Dartmouth College in 1940. He then worked at Camp William James, a center for youth leadership training opened in 1940 by Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy, a Dartmouth College professor, as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Smith was awarded a Purple Heart for his service as a company commander of the 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army during World War II. (wikipedia)

Reviews

[Caleb Strait · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better biographies I have ever read. Page offered a different and interesting perspective on Jefferson and his life.

[Nancy Mock Mock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up pretty quickly that this was a very sympathetic biography of Jefferson. He seemed to be introverted, temperamental, quirky and prone to abondoning his duties and/or offices to seek solace at Monticello...but all this is excused and attributed to a personality of a sensitive & brooding artist/philosopher, that he was more that than politician. Though it was sympathetic in this way I did enjoy it, and found the details of his life, work and relationships to be very intriguing.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good bio. I could not put it down after starting it.Liked the fact that the author did not spend too much time on RUMORS but stuck to the recorded facts.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography was written in the 70's, so there will be things, (Jefferson's younger siblings being referred to as retarded, Sally Hemings being referred to as a romantic attachment, although the author does acknowledge part of the draw for Jefferson might have been the bondage of Hemings), that will rub the modern reader the wrong way. However, the author also doesn't shy away from Jefferson's misogyny and the fact he was pretty terrible in leadership positions, both as governor of Virginia and as president.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was published years ago and I have had it in my library for years. All this presidental press lately jogged me to read it. Also I was curious about Jefferson after reading about John Adams. It is interesting to compare how "democracy" worked in the early United States and how it works now. Jefferson was a very flawed man in many ways, but is remembered for his writings and ideas rather than his personal life. Greatness can defined in many ways and people can leave their mark on the world in many ways. I'm glad I read this book. It really does help me understand what is going on in the current political climate.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

About what I thought. I must say, Thomas Jefferson is not one of my favorite founding fathers. The auther tried to give him leeway by saying we let artists, poets, etc be a little messed up so we should let him too. I only think that if you are crazy enough to want to go into public office than you should be held to a higher standard. Anyway, knowledge is interesting at times. Not what you expect.