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Jefferson's Vendetta: The Pursuit of Aaron Burr and the Judiciary
Generations of Americans have known Thomas Jefferson as one of our unambiguously great presidents, a man of honor and optimism unencumbered by pettiness and spite; and so they have known Aaron Burr, his greatest adversary, as a traitorous would-be destroyer of that distinguished legacy. In Jefferson's Vendetta, Joseph Wheelan examines one of the eminent political rivalries in our history, set against the backdrop of postcolonial Virginia, and discovers a truth vastly different from what is taught in high schools and universities. Here is Burr, the flawed but gifted politician who made powerful enemies because his charm and skill rivaled Jefferson's own, and who trusted the fairness of American democracy too deeply to rebut the wild criticisms aimed at him by slanderers in the U.S. government. Supreme Court chief justice John Marshall is also presented, who knew that he and his weakened federal judiciary could be redeemed by a few shrewdly considered words -- or condemned by miscalculated ones -- during America's first "trial of the century." Lastly, in vivid detail, is Jefferson, whose obsessive crusade to destroy Burr was undone by one mammoth but historically overlooked miscalculation. Eight pages of illustrations are featured in this detailed account of an historic reversal of roles.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 12, 2020
In which the author complains that Jefferson is jus' bein' mean to poor old Aaron. Wheelan blames General James Wilkinson for leading Burr astray--and there was no doubt that Wilkinson was a double-dealing scoundrel who played both sides of the USA vs. Spain quarrel, as well as both sides of the Jefferson vs. Burr quarrel--but the author seems to think Burr was Wilkinson's puppet with no agency of his own. Did Burr actually DO what he was accused of? Technically no, because he hadn't gotten that far yet. He was still in the plotting stages. Wheelan emphasizes this point, and it's at the heart of Wheelan's digs at Jefferson. But Burr was definitely planning to provoke a war with Spain and invade Mexico.
Burr went off on his crazy expedition in the first place because he wrecked his career in American politics by killing Alexander Hamilton. Burr is the one who issued the challenge to Hamilton, and when Hamilton shot in the air like a gentleman, Burr aimed to kill and succeeded. The reason Burr issued the challenge was because Hamilton was going around telling people that Burr was "A dangerous man and one who ought not to be trusted with the reins of government." Burr heard this criticism and got massively butthurt about it.
Basically, Burr's behavior was that of a man ruled by narcissistic personality disorder, and his fate is the sort of self-caused trainwreck you see in narcissists when they let their egos lead them. Hamilton was right about Burr, and Jefferson's actions were necessary. Trying to cynically force the country into a war with Spain for Burr's own personal gain was exactly the sort of thing Hamilton was complaining about when he said Burr was a dangerous man who could not be trusted.
Burr was acquitted because he had not been caught committing an overt act, he'd only been planning, you see. After the trial, Wheelan writes, "Amazingly, after all that had happened, Aaron Burr had not given up on his scheme to invade Mexico." When Burr left the US for France near the end of his life, Wheelan says, "Burr also advanced other proposals [to the French], such as drawing the United States into a war with England so that France, with Burr's assistance, could seize Canada, Florida, Cuba, and Mexico."
Wheelan's pro-Burr stance, despite statements like this, is absolutely nuts to me. Jefferson was right to go after Burr with everything he had. Thank God Burr never became president.
Burr went off on his crazy expedition in the first place because he wrecked his career in American politics by killing Alexander Hamilton. Burr is the one who issued the challenge to Hamilton, and when Hamilton shot in the air like a gentleman, Burr aimed to kill and succeeded. The reason Burr issued the challenge was because Hamilton was going around telling people that Burr was "A dangerous man and one who ought not to be trusted with the reins of government." Burr heard this criticism and got massively butthurt about it.
Basically, Burr's behavior was that of a man ruled by narcissistic personality disorder, and his fate is the sort of self-caused trainwreck you see in narcissists when they let their egos lead them. Hamilton was right about Burr, and Jefferson's actions were necessary. Trying to cynically force the country into a war with Spain for Burr's own personal gain was exactly the sort of thing Hamilton was complaining about when he said Burr was a dangerous man who could not be trusted.
Burr was acquitted because he had not been caught committing an overt act, he'd only been planning, you see. After the trial, Wheelan writes, "Amazingly, after all that had happened, Aaron Burr had not given up on his scheme to invade Mexico." When Burr left the US for France near the end of his life, Wheelan says, "Burr also advanced other proposals [to the French], such as drawing the United States into a war with England so that France, with Burr's assistance, could seize Canada, Florida, Cuba, and Mexico."
Wheelan's pro-Burr stance, despite statements like this, is absolutely nuts to me. Jefferson was right to go after Burr with everything he had. Thank God Burr never became president.
January 31, 2022
I've researched Aaron Burr, events surrounding him, and the United States' early history for quite some time now, and it is difficult to find books that discuss he and Thomas Jefferson's political rivalry without viewing the latter through rose-colored lenses.
Jefferson's Vendetta is, in my opinion, an excellent account on the two's history, and it is clearly faithful to research (but it reads like an exciting historical fiction too!).
The United States loves to remember Thomas Jefferson as one of many heroic founders of the nation, though many of his actions left more of a negative impact on the young country (and several individuals) than positive ones... It is arguable that he doesn't deserve the legacy we remember him by, and this book is a good account of some of the unfortunate precedents that deem him so. He was a slaveholder, abuser, and NOT an abolitionist. He used his position of power and his strong connections to manipulate his opposers into submission. Burr was also a flawed man and should be called out for it, and people do so every day-- but people still defend Jefferson, despite his comparatively much more heinous crimes. This is a much more honest retelling than many I've seen.
Of course, the book performs a similar overview of Aaron Burr. I wouldn't say the book is particularly biased towards him the way it is comparatively more open in criticizing Jefferson, which is good- neither were perfect or all that honorable- information is simply given to us without all that much excessive commentary, though the stance is rather clearly sympathetic of him. Time and time again, books have stumbled to depict an accurate version of him and create a proper analysis of his character, and I think Jefferson's Vendetta is one of few that have succeeded. Piecing a picture of him together mostly through secondhand sources is not easy since there aren't many firsthand ones left, but now it can be safely said that doing it without overreliance on Hamilton's mouth is possible!
I think this depiction of him as a flawed but layered individual is put together well. Researching him is fascinating.
Wheelan's discussion of the trial is also very well-done. Along with it being very detailed, it isn't biased by Jefferson's anger towards Burr. The trial chapters' intensity was palpable! Often, the author includes well-placed direct quotes from the transcript itself, and the effect it has on the emotional vehemence on the scene is incredible. I also adore the emphasis on Judge Marshall and his impact on the case.. he is a bit underappreciated in this sense, I believe. The amount of arm-twisting happening on Jefferson's end (particularly during the trial itself) was ridiculous, but Marshall was one of few that refused him, and Burr's acquittal was a result.
There isn't damning evidence that Burr tried committing treason.
Even during that trial, no real incriminating evidence was collected. This is well-known fact, though many still dispute it in favor of praising Jefferson or condemning Burr... The real answer is that we simply do not know for sure what happened. The topic is ambiguous, and the author keeps it so. I appreciate that he doesn't pick a side for the most part, because in reality, no one can really be sure of what Burr was doing in Louisiana then.
On another note, the book's pages of illustrations were a pleasant surprise! They are printed on smoother photo-paper and are in black-and-white on this copy. I like the portrait choices for Burr (I'm biased towards the Vanderlyn pieces) and Jefferson, and the additional portraits of other 'cast' members were a great addition, along with the Burr Conspiracy illustrations. The images and captions add to the experience nicely. The author also includes quotes at the beginning of each chapter (often words from which the chapter titles were inspired by) and I find that this adds very much interest. It adds to the drama of each event so effectively.
If you're just getting into more in-depth research on this topic in American history, I certainly recommend giving this book a try since I believe it's relatively easy to understand if you have some amount of background knowledge, and it flows incredibly well. The introduction of each figure and then the trial was immaculate.. I couldn't put it down!
Jefferson's Vendetta is, in my opinion, an excellent account on the two's history, and it is clearly faithful to research (but it reads like an exciting historical fiction too!).
The United States loves to remember Thomas Jefferson as one of many heroic founders of the nation, though many of his actions left more of a negative impact on the young country (and several individuals) than positive ones... It is arguable that he doesn't deserve the legacy we remember him by, and this book is a good account of some of the unfortunate precedents that deem him so. He was a slaveholder, abuser, and NOT an abolitionist. He used his position of power and his strong connections to manipulate his opposers into submission. Burr was also a flawed man and should be called out for it, and people do so every day-- but people still defend Jefferson, despite his comparatively much more heinous crimes. This is a much more honest retelling than many I've seen.
Of course, the book performs a similar overview of Aaron Burr. I wouldn't say the book is particularly biased towards him the way it is comparatively more open in criticizing Jefferson, which is good- neither were perfect or all that honorable- information is simply given to us without all that much excessive commentary, though the stance is rather clearly sympathetic of him. Time and time again, books have stumbled to depict an accurate version of him and create a proper analysis of his character, and I think Jefferson's Vendetta is one of few that have succeeded. Piecing a picture of him together mostly through secondhand sources is not easy since there aren't many firsthand ones left, but now it can be safely said that doing it without overreliance on Hamilton's mouth is possible!
I think this depiction of him as a flawed but layered individual is put together well. Researching him is fascinating.
Wheelan's discussion of the trial is also very well-done. Along with it being very detailed, it isn't biased by Jefferson's anger towards Burr. The trial chapters' intensity was palpable! Often, the author includes well-placed direct quotes from the transcript itself, and the effect it has on the emotional vehemence on the scene is incredible. I also adore the emphasis on Judge Marshall and his impact on the case.. he is a bit underappreciated in this sense, I believe. The amount of arm-twisting happening on Jefferson's end (particularly during the trial itself) was ridiculous, but Marshall was one of few that refused him, and Burr's acquittal was a result.
There isn't damning evidence that Burr tried committing treason.
Even during that trial, no real incriminating evidence was collected. This is well-known fact, though many still dispute it in favor of praising Jefferson or condemning Burr... The real answer is that we simply do not know for sure what happened. The topic is ambiguous, and the author keeps it so. I appreciate that he doesn't pick a side for the most part, because in reality, no one can really be sure of what Burr was doing in Louisiana then.
On another note, the book's pages of illustrations were a pleasant surprise! They are printed on smoother photo-paper and are in black-and-white on this copy. I like the portrait choices for Burr (I'm biased towards the Vanderlyn pieces) and Jefferson, and the additional portraits of other 'cast' members were a great addition, along with the Burr Conspiracy illustrations. The images and captions add to the experience nicely. The author also includes quotes at the beginning of each chapter (often words from which the chapter titles were inspired by) and I find that this adds very much interest. It adds to the drama of each event so effectively.
If you're just getting into more in-depth research on this topic in American history, I certainly recommend giving this book a try since I believe it's relatively easy to understand if you have some amount of background knowledge, and it flows incredibly well. The introduction of each figure and then the trial was immaculate.. I couldn't put it down!
May 24, 2020
Excellent.
Finally a book that cuts through the historical inaccuracies that have painted Aaron Burr in an unflattering light for over 200 years.
Jefferson was a petty, egotistical man more suited for espousing ideals than actually living them.
Hamilton was a duplicitous, arrogant, elitest whose greatest talent was sucking up to those who could give him the power he craved. It is an injustice that Hamilton will be remembered as some sort of heroic or tragic figure due to a popular musical.
Finally a book that cuts through the historical inaccuracies that have painted Aaron Burr in an unflattering light for over 200 years.
Jefferson was a petty, egotistical man more suited for espousing ideals than actually living them.
Hamilton was a duplicitous, arrogant, elitest whose greatest talent was sucking up to those who could give him the power he craved. It is an injustice that Hamilton will be remembered as some sort of heroic or tragic figure due to a popular musical.
June 2, 2024
This was such an informative book about the Burr conspiracy. This is well researched and I totally recommend it!
October 20, 2020
Well researched account of the "Burr Conspiracy".
October 4, 2024
Jefferson was politically vindictive. Not sure Burr was innocent, but evidence wouldn't be enough to convict him today.
July 16, 2025
Excellent account of just how nasty and vindictive Jefferson could be. He was willing to try almost anything to see Burr hang.
February 12, 2017
This was the best analysis I've read of Burr's western project and its juridical consequences. Burr comes out as a complicated figure who suffered immensely from Thomas Jefferson's ambition and vindictiveness. General of the Army James Wilkinson is the villain of the piece, not exposed as a traitor to his country for another hundred years. Wheelan presents SCOTUS Chief Justice John Marshall as a careful champion of justice in the case. Burr himself championed the education of women and the abolition of slavery. These redeeming traits seem utterly lost in the current enthusiasm for Hamilton.
December 3, 2015
To the casual student of American history, Thomas Jefferson was a paragon of virtue. He was without doubt a very impressive man, but he had his dark side. This books shows a lot of that.
Aaron Burr is probably best remembered for his fatal duel with Alexander Hamilton. Here we see a lot more of his life detailed, particularly how his political dreams were crushed and his later trial for treason.
This was a series of events that would make a believable political scandal in today's climate- a President on a massive vendetta, trying to influence the outcome of a trial, and so many willing to bow to this pressure; a judge being true to his own code; and what became of them all later.
This is a really interesting, little-known piece of American history. My only complaint about it is the rather odd habit of using quotes at the beginning of each chapter that appear later in that chapter. I'm not sure I see what the point was there.
Recommended to students of American history and political history.
Aaron Burr is probably best remembered for his fatal duel with Alexander Hamilton. Here we see a lot more of his life detailed, particularly how his political dreams were crushed and his later trial for treason.
This was a series of events that would make a believable political scandal in today's climate- a President on a massive vendetta, trying to influence the outcome of a trial, and so many willing to bow to this pressure; a judge being true to his own code; and what became of them all later.
This is a really interesting, little-known piece of American history. My only complaint about it is the rather odd habit of using quotes at the beginning of each chapter that appear later in that chapter. I'm not sure I see what the point was there.
Recommended to students of American history and political history.
November 23, 2009
Who would believe it? I can't put it down!
September 12, 2014
Fast paced book and a good balance to the anti Burr books. Would recommend reading "What kind of Nation" by Simon at the same time.
December 7, 2022
Interesting story of a President using all the power of his office to put down his political rivals.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews