Thomas jefferson biography meacham review 360

After stoking fear of a national army, and after his strong advocacy of the separation of the legislative and executive powers, once in office Jefferson himself asked a senator to introduce a bill approving military force—a direct contradiction of his stated principles on both counts. Publication information is for the USA, and unless stated otherwise represents the first print edition.

But he did nothing to end it. Jefferson's genius was that he was both and could do both, often simultaneously. Search form A reading and writing initiative that connects authors with readers. Age Range - 12 and up. None of his actions were self-consistent.

Thomas jefferson biography meacham review 360: This magnificent biography brings

Lotz in Translation. The father of the ideal of individual liberty, of the Louisiana Purchase, of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and of the settling of the West, Jefferson recognized that the genius of humanity - and the genius of the new nation - lay in the possibility of progress, of discovering the undiscovered and seeking the unknown. Jefferson had come off rather badly in the two above-mentioned biographies.

Forgot Password or Username? Jefferson did likely leave the world better than he found it. John Adams—a raging personality of epic proportion—is hardly more exciting than the taciturn George Washington. Review4Us Sign up form.

Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham

Thomas Jefferson: President and Philosopher review This is typical of the whole book: where Meacham sees a flexible and enlightened politician, I see a person totally unwilling to live by the principles that he professes. This is his habitual mode. Reviews Media Reviews Reader Reviews. An outstanding biography that reveals an overlooked steeliness at Jefferson's core that accounts for so much of his political success.

In his head and in his heart, as in the nation itself, the perfect warred with the good, the intellectual with the visceral. Skip to main content. When a local fisherman is mauled to death, it seems like the only possible cause is a mythical creature. I wanted to see the other side of the man, the side that so many have admired. To me, this is neither good prose nor does it provide any valuable information.

Sign up for our newsletters to receive our Most Anticipated Books of ! Yet in the real world, in real time, when he was charged with the safety of the country, his creative flexibility made him a transformative leader. Author Information Biography Books by this Author. Here is another example. Read more reviews by this Litpick Book Reviewer: Star A biographer and contributing editor at Time, he lectures widely in the United States on history, politics, and religious faith, and is the Canon Historian of Washington National Cathedral.

In Jefferson the man, there is much to criticize, but even more to praise. Recommend this book and review to your friends on Facebook Tweet.