Thomas Jefferson: Author of America (Eminent Lives)

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OneMansView, February 28, 2010 (view all comments by OneMansView)
Insightful, but not an arresting effort (3.25*s)

This book, while biographical in nature, represents a more free-form approach by British intellectual and polemicist, Christopher Hitchens, in examining the lengthy public service career and profound life of Thomas Jefferson. Hitchens essentially acknowledges the indebtedness that America has for both Jefferson’s ideas, in particular his democratic inclinations, despite his aristocratic background, seen in both his words in the Declaration of Independence and his vigorous opposition to the neo-aristocratic policies of the Federalist in the 1790s, and his policy initiatives during his presidency, such as finally suppressing the pirates of North Africa, doubling the land size of the US through the Louisiana Purchase, and enthusiastically backing the exploration of this newly purchased land by Lewis and Clark, reflective of his lifelong interest in botany, and the like.

Jefferson’s contradictions and difficulties seem to be a main focus for the author, not so much for purposes of condemnation, but more for ensuring a balanced approach. Clearly, Jefferson’s ambiguities concerning the actual equality of all men resonant most strongly in the modern era. As a Southern planter and beneficiary of its non-free labor system, he could not satisfactorily reconcile his principles with his practices in that regard. Jefferson’s lengthy association with his house servant Sally Hennings, including the fathering of several children, is never in doubt. Interestingly, the author shows that Jefferson, though not an aggressive individual, was fond of attractive women. A more serious situation for Jefferson in his lifetime was his hasty retreat from British troops during his last days as governor of Virginia in 1780, providing ammunition for his detractors in regard to his courage, a not insignificant matter for gentlemen in colonial society.

Jefferson was, hands-down, America’s foremost intellectual of his time. His vast accumulation of the latest books from throughout Europe was a lifelong obsession. In the aftermath of the burning of the Library of Congress during the War of 1812, Jefferson sold his personal collection of 6500 volumes to the Library, a substantial start for any great library. The downside to Jefferson’s intellectualism, was his tendency to romanticize revolutionary thought and actions. He turned a blind eye to the excesses of the French revolution far beyond any objective assessment. He was given to intemperate views, though not necessarily publicly stated, such as regarding the periodic spilling of blood as a means of renewing revolutionary ideals or holding that one generation owed little to their successors and that government and most institutions should begin anew. The author, given his well-known religious disinclination, is more than mildly appreciate of Jefferson’s fairly successful efforts, mostly in Virginia, to orchestrate legislation to curb the dominance of organized churches in social and political affairs. Jefferson’s specific religious ideas remain somewhat vague, yet his lifelong support of Thomas Paine, an infamous infidel and Revolutionary era hero, may be telling.

The book is mildly informative concerning the major activities and impact of Jefferson. Jefferson remains a remarkable man in Hitchens’ telling, though not without flaws. However, the book is somewhat selective in what is covered. Other principals of the era make mostly cameo appearances. The author brings a few scattered insights that perhaps lie outside a conventional biographical focus, not to mention his occasional literary phrasing, but given the author’s reputation for polemics, it might have been expected that sharper critiques would have been offered on Jefferson’s actions and significance. The complete absence of notes or an index in the book is indicative of the author’s indifference towards conventional biography or history. A few books are mentioned in an acknowledgements section. It has to be said that the book is not an arresting effort, falling short of expectations.

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Product Details

ISBN:

9780060837068

Author:

Hitchens, Christopher

Publisher:

Harper Perennial

Author:

Hitchens, Christopher

Subject:

Presidents & Heads of State

Subject:

Historical - U.S.

Subject:

United States - 19th Century

Subject:

Presidents -- United States.

Subject:

Jefferson, Thomas

Subject:

Presidents

Subject:

Biography-Presidents and Heads of State

Edition Description:

Trade PB

Series:

Eminent Lives

Publication Date:

20090531

Binding:

TRADE PAPER

Grade Level:

General/trade

Language:

English

Illustrations:

Y

Pages:

208

Dimensions:

9.25 x 6.5 in 87.68 oz