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The book was very interesting up to this point. The author gives very descriptive portraits of the cast of characters in the trial as well as motives behind their strategies during the trial.
However at about page 155 the author got mired in the reasoning behind Justice Marshall’s decision writing ad infinitum about the court’s definition of “treason” more specifically what determines “leveling of war”.

The book portrays Jefferson as an idealist whose life and beliefs was filled with contradictions. One prime example is his view on slavery an institution which he expressed support for eradicating but when faced with the political fallout and economic hardship it might cause him he chose to pull back and leave it for future generations to deal with.

If you are looking for a chronological biography of Thomas Jefferson then this book is NOT for you. It is a chronological trail of Thomas Jefferson’s thought process and character. It covers basically five periods of Jefferson’s life and tries to explain where his ideas and philosophy was at that time and how it evolved from the period before that.

I have come to realize that there is something about this book that really irritase me. I’m no expert on grammar but over the years I have learned that although there may be valid occasions to start a sentence with the word “but” , starting a paragraph with “but” is an entirely different matter. This book has 148 of such paragraphs! I counted them. It drives me crazy.

I have been reading this book for three and a half months and it has grown to be a close friend of mine. I look so forward to reading a few pages every day and learn about the intricate details of the events that transpired during that last decade of the eighteenth century America. A very enjoyable read for sure.

Very interesting look at Jay’s Treaty and Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation from the French viewpoint and how it almost put an end to James Monroe’s diplomatic career. The observations on the Presidential Election of 1796 is also very good reading.

I really appreciate the author’s effort to paint the big picture of events as they unfold. Providing background and practical as well as philosophical reasons that underlie each party’s decision and hence showing how these Decisions affected their intended audience. The maneuverings of the State Department under both Jefferson and Randolph in dealing with the French and British is a prime example of this style

This book is very detailed in regards to the events during this period. Not only giving the backgrounds concerning the events but also giving the theory and purpose as to how these events transpired.

The section in Thomas Jefferson is very informative in that it shows the origins of Jefferson’s political and philosophic outlook on life. It also did the same in earlier chapters in regards to James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. Throughout all three one can see the strong influences Scottish Enlightenment had on these many especially Hamilton.

Very informative. I enjoyed reading it because it covered a lot of material I previously was unfamiliar with. The Afterword by Peter Heather was very interesting as well but is already 27 years old and probably could use some revision as well.

Very unique perspective on this period of history. I appreciate how jenkins shows the relevancy of 5th century fanatiscism and compares it to Islamic fanaticism today. Also compare the terminology of that period to religious terminology today. He also breaks down the issues very clearly and concisely, making it easy for a laymen to understand.

I enjoy the fact that the is edition has explanations and annotations clarifying certain facts and providing modern dates to use as a reference point. Very good addition which adds value to the text.

So far the book is very enlightening and teaching me about a part of history for which I have had absolutely no previous knowledge of before. I would suggest that if there were to be future editions of this book a pronunciation guide would be helpful as well as maps, as many of the names and places mentioned are very foreign to any western civilization acclimated reader as myself.