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Presents a biography of Thomas Jefferson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Thomas Jefferson
This book was great! It would make a great teaching contribution for young readers. It has vivid illustrations and is an easy reader. This book briefly discusses Thomas Jefferson's childhood. The majority of the book is on his role in the government. It also describes the chances he took and the struggles he faced. A few of the ideas are somewhat complicated, so the illustrations help because they are easy to read and understand, some of them resembling a comic strip. The book also discusses his role in helping to bring an end to slavery. The book also states that Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. The end of the book is about his expedition. More commonly known as the Lewis and Clark expedition.
A downfall of the book is that it ends ubruptly. There is no discussion about his life after presidency. Also, a few of the illustrations are a bit crude. However, this is a Scholastic book, and proves to be insightful and engaging.
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The Third President and easily one the the most beloved and famous. ... Read more

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Includes A Summary View of the Rights of British America and Notes on the State of Virginia complete; seventy-nine letters; "Response to the Citizens of Albemarle," 1790; "Opinion on the Constitutionality of a National Bank," 1791; and many other writings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good book
Neat book.has a lot of the pertinent documents that Jefferson wrote and correspondences he had with people in his time.I wish there were some more biographical information in it, but it's a great source for primary material.

The Words Of The Sage Of Montecello
"The Portable Jefferson" consists of a vast collection of Jefferson's works.It provides us with valuable insights into his mind and his world.

The longest entry is "Notes on the State of Virginia".It provides a multifaceted assessment of the Virginia known by Jefferson.Politics, the economy, topography, populations, flora and fauna are all included in this report.I read with particular interest the reports on areas of French settlement in what is now Illinois, areas in which my ancestors were living but to which Jefferson had never traveled and about which he had to have learned from the reports of others.Many insights into the Virginia of his day are very interesting.

Jefferson's July, 1774 tome on "A Summary View Of The Rights of British America" give a preview of America's grievances on the eve of the Revolution.

The next segment consists of Jefferson's public papers and addresses.Some are well known, such as the Declaration of Independence, while others are obscure, but often no less interesting.

The last segment of the book consists of many private letters written to a host of correspondents.Some of these are rather mundane matters of personal interest, while others are occasions for expositions of political views and comments on the news of the day.I found particularly interesting his comments on developments in France during its Revolution.

I have long had an interest in Jefferson.This book enables the reader to see him in new and deeper lights.His thought, the breath of his interests and his genius shine on the pages of his book.This is a book to read and then keep handy for reference. ... Read more

Product Description
Thomas Jefferson speaks for himself, in words that have retained their force, eloquence, and relevance to the present day. 64-page hardcover pocket gift book with dust jacket, 3-1/4'' wide by 5-3/8'' high. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One of the Greatest Political, and non Political Minds of the Millenium.
This book has all of the best quotes from Jefferson, and should be a must read for any intelligent being.Plus its rare, so get it while you can. It's even a pocket book that you can take with you, and pull it out when you need it, it also includes sketches of his house, and photo's and paintings, and its hardcover, so my advice is get it.

A Window Into a Mind
"Thomas Jefferson: His Life and Works" is a window into one of the greatest minds to ever enlighten the American continent.This short book is divided into eight sections, each dealing with a different aspect of Jefferson life or outlook.Each section begins with a brief introduction followed by a collection of quotations from Jefferson's writings.Some are drawn from well known public writings, such as the Declaration of Independence, whereas others are to be found in Jefferson's private correspondence.In most cases the source of the quotation is given, inviting the reader to conduct further study.

In the study of collections of quotations such as this, I often find the greatest insights not in the points which the speaker intended to make but in lessons to be learned by the contrast between the speaker's implied assumptions and the accepted standards of our day. An example of this is found in this book is Jefferson's statement on the public assemblies from which: "there would be excluded...women who, to prevent deprivation of morals ambiguity of issue, could not mix promiscuously in the public meetings of men."When I read statements such as this I think that, perhaps, the morals of our day do not compare unfavorably with those of past generations.

Overall I consider this book to be a good introduction into the mind and life of Thomas Jefferson.While only scratching the surface of his thought, it does provide a sources for some quotations with which to leaven our speech as well as providing an encouragement for further study. ... Read more

Product Description
Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States (1801 -1809), the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776), and one of the most influential Founding Fathers for his promotion of the ideals of Republicanism in the United States. Major events during his presidency include the Louisiana Purchase (1803) and the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804 -1806).

Includes letters written to Gen. George Washington and to John Adams ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Comments from the Publisher
We apologize for the inconvenience. The title of the book was corrected on May 10th, 2009, as well as the navigation. This is a single volume not a collection of Jefferson's writings. The collection has much larger volume of Jefferson's works Works of Thomas Jefferson. Including The Jefferson Bible, Autobiography and The Writings of Thomas Jefferson (Illustrated), with Notes on Virginia, Parliamentary ... more.Published by MobileReference (mobi) including The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Volume VI as well as Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson", all 4 volumes with comprehensive index and TOC, State of the Union Addresses of Thomas Jefferson, and more

A waste
I like MobileReference, so I was surprised to find that this had only a small portion of Jefferson's writings, and not very well linked. I wish I could delete it from my Kindle account.

Be aware of what you're buying
[NOTE: This review pertains to "The Writings of Thomas Jefferson ..." published by MobileReference, ASIN: B001OZ7ZMG.] This is an odd publication.Contrary to what its title implies, and unlike other Mobile Reference collections I've purchased, it is not a complete collection.Nor is it a "greatest hits" collection.Rather, it's Jefferson's letters written in the mid-1780s, plus two biographical essays.Thus, while the title doesn't make this clear, it appears to be the digitized version of *one* volume of Jefferson's collected works.(The size of the file would also suggest that we're dealing with something less than the complete works here.)

As for ease of use, there are no links to aid navigation within the letters.On the plus side, the price is right. ... Read more

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State of the Union Address by Thomas Jefferson

Here it is, the State of the Union Addressevery president makes one.
The State of the Union Address

Kids need a quick and easy school report, trying reading this in class.
Need a quote to spruce up any report or presentation then this is for you.


... Read more

Product Description
Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States (1801-1809), the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and one of the most influential Founding Fathers for his promotion of the ideals of Republicanism in the United States. Major events during his presidency include the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Although born into a slave owning family Jefferson was one of the first prominent Americans to speak and write against slavery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Comments on the Reviews of the Jefferson Autobiography
Being about to order the Thomas Jefferson autobiography from you, I carefully read all of the reviews you have printed as well as the sample pages.If these samples convey the flavor of his book I expect to enjoy it.I'm widely read about TJ and do not feel I need any further discussion of his personal life.His early 19th century style of writing poses no problem for me.The question of his life with Sally has been adequately settled and so forth.But his vivid description of the day the French stormed the Bastile makes me eager to read the whole book.I gather that he wrote about those aspects of his career that he deemed important.I expect to be delighted to read of these things from his perspective.I thank you for making this important autobiography available.

Jefferson in his own words.
If one truly wants to know what our Founding Fathers actually said about themselves it is best to read it in their own words.You will quickly find that they had a deeper relationship with the Creator than is popularly reported in modern times - even Thomas Jefferson.Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is replete with thankful references to God for the blessings on his life.

For those interested in true American history, I recommend this as well as Benjamin Franklin's autobiography.

Leaves out way too much
This book tells little of the greatness of Jefferson. Perhaps he was just too humble to tell us his story, which is a grand disappointment.

Our History
This was a small, interesting book, but I found it a difficult read, due to the language used back then.Very different from today's speech. I was rather disappointed that it did not include some of his earlier life.

Short, and inside perspective
Written in 1821, TJ writes very quickly about his parents, childhood, and the time period before the revolution and spends way more time on the declaration of independence, articles of confederation, his presidency and the early 1800s.

He does include an original draft of the declaration of independence which is neat. And his section on the articles of confederation shows the many problems the states had to deal with upon becoming independent.

While Bill Clinton's autobiography was way too long, this autobio was way too short.

But the perspective is one that the history books do not often show you. ... Read more

Product Description
This selection entitled The Executive Collection: Thomas Jefferson, includes speeches dictated by the third president of the United States. Selection includes and active table of contents.

Speeches included:
First Inaugural Address, The Reply to New Haven Remonstrance, First Annual Message, Response to Danbury Baptist Association,Address to Brother Handsome Lake,Second Annual Message, Special Message to Congress on Indian Policy,
Instructions to Captain Lewis,Third Annual Message, Address to the Brothers of Choctaw Nation,Fourth Annual Message Second Inaugural Address,Fifth Annual Message, Special Message to Congress on Foreign Policy, Address to the Chiefs of the Cherokee Nation,Proclamation on Spanish Territory, Sixth Annual Message,Address to the Wolf and the People of the Mandan Nation, Special Message to Congress on the Burr Conspiracy,Special Message to Congress on the Gun Boats,
Proclamation in Response to the Chesapeake Affair, Seventh Annual Message Eighth Annual Message
Message to the Inhabitants of Albemarle County

Excerpt:
"It is a circumstance of sincere gratification to me that on meeting the great council of our nation, I am able to announce to them, on the grounds of reasonable certainty, that the wars and troubles which have for so many years afflicted our sister nations have at length come to an end, and that the communications of peace and commerce are once more opening among them".
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Illustrated. Formatted for the Kindle. Linked Contents.

Excerpt:MEMOIR.
January 6, 1821. At the age of 77, I begin to make some memoranda, and state some recollections of dates and facts concerning myself, for my own more ready reference, and for the information of my family.

The tradition in my father's family was, that their ancestor came to this country from Wales, and from near the mountain of Snowden, the highest in Great Britain. I noted once a case from Wales, in the law reports, where a person of our name was either plaintiff or defendant; and one of the same name was secretary to the Virginia Company. These are the only instances in which I have met with the name in that country. I have found it in our early records; but the first particular information I have of any ancestor was of my grandfather, who lived at the place in Chesterfield called Ozborne's, and owned the lands afterwards the glebe of the parish. He had three sons; Thomas who died young, Field who settled on the waters of Roanoke and left numerous descendants, and Peter, my father, who settled on the lands I still own, called Shadwell, adjoining my present residence. He was born February 29, 1707-8, and intermarried 1739, with Jane Randolph, of the age of 19, daughter of Isham Randolph, one of the seven sons of that name and family settled at Dungeoness in Goochland. They trace their pedigree far back in England and Scotland, to which let every one ascribe the faith and merit he chooses.

My father's education had been quite neglected; but being of a strong mind, sound judgment, and eager after information, he read much and improved himself, insomuch that he was chosen, with Joshua Fry, professor of Mathematics in William and Mary college, to continue the boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina, which had been begun by Colonel Byrd; and was afterwards employed with the same Mr. Fry, to make the first map of Virginia which had ever been made, that of Captain Smith being merely a conjectural sketch. They possessed excellent materials for so much of the country as is below the Blue Ridge; little being then known beyond that Ridge. He was the third or fourth settler, about the year 1737, of the part of the country in which I live. He died August 17th, 1757, leaving my mother a widow, who lived till 1776, with six daughters and two sons, myself the elder. To my younger brother he left his estate on James river, called Snowden, after the supposed birth-place of the family: to myself, the lands on which I was born and live. He placed me at the English school at five years of age; and at the Latin at nine, where I continued until his death. My teacher, Mr. Douglas, a clergyman from Scotland, with the rudiments of the Latin and Greek languages, taught me the French; and on the death of my father, I went to the Reverend Mr. Maury, a correct classical scholar, with whom I continued two years; and then, to wit, in the spring of 1760, went to William and Mary college, where I continued two years. It was my great good fortune, and what probably fixed the destinies of my life, that Dr. William Small of Scotland was then professor of Mathematics, a man profound in most of the useful branches of science, with a happy talent of communication, correct and gentlemanly manners, and an enlarged and liberal mind. He, most happily for me, became soon attached to me, and made me his daily companion when not engaged in the school; and from his conversation I got my first views of the expansion of science, and of the system of things in which we are placed. Fortunately, the philosophical chair became vacant soon after my arrival at college, and he was appointed to fill it per interim: and he was the first who ever gave, in that college, regular lectures in Ethics, Rhetoric, and Belles lettres. ... ... Read more

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MEMOIR, CORRESPONDENCE, AND MISCELLANIES, FROM THE PAPERS OF THOMAS
JEFFERSON.

Edited by Thomas Jefferson Randolph.

VOLUME III.

LETTER I.--TO JOHN JAY, July 19, 1789


TO JOHN JAY.

Paris, July 19, 1789.

Dear Sir,

I am become very uneasy, lest you should have adopted some channel for
the conveyance of your letters to me, which is unfaithful. I have none
from you of later date than November the 25th, 1788, and of consequence,
no acknowledgment of the receipt of any of mine, since that of August
the 11th, 1788. Since that period, I have written to you of the
following dates. 1788. August the 20th, September the 3rd, 5th, 24th,
November the 14th, 19th, 29th. 1789. January the 11th, 14th, 21st,
February the 4th, March the 1st, 12th, 14th, 15th, May the 9th, 11th,
12th, June the 17th, 24th, 29th. I know, through another person, that
you have received mine of November the 29th, and that you have written
an answer; but I have never received the answer, and it is this which
suggests to me the fear of some general source of miscarriage.

The capture of three French merchant ships by the Algerines, under
different pretexts, has produced great sensation in the seaports of this
country, and some in its government. They have ordered some frigates
to be armed at Toulon to punish them. There is a possibility that
this circumstance, if not too soon set to rights by the Algerines, may
furnish occasion to the States General, when they shall have leisure to
attend to matters of this kind, to disavow any future tributary treaty
with them. These pirates respect still less their treaty with Spain, and
treat the Spaniards with an insolence greater than was usual before the
treaty.

The scarcity of bread begins to lessen in the southern parts of France,
where the harvest has commenced. Here it is still threatening, because
we have yet three weeks to the beginning of harvest, and I think there
has not been three days' provision beforehand in Paris, for two or three
weeks past. Monsieur de Mirabeau, who is very hostile to Mr. Necker,
wished to find a ground for censuring him, in a proposition to have
a great quantity of flour furnished from the United States, which he
supposed me to have made to Mr. Necker, and to have been refused by him;
and he asked time of the States General to furnish proofs. The Marquis
de la Fayette immediately gave me notice of this matter, and I wrote him
a letter to disavow having ever made any such proposition to Mr. Necker,
which I desired him to communicate to the States. I waited immediately
on Mr. Necker and Monsieur de Montmorin, satisfied them that what had
been suggested was absolutely without foundation from me; and indeed
they had not needed this testimony. I gave them copies of my letter to
the Marquis de la Fayette, which was afterwards printed. The Marquis,
on the receipt of my letter, showed it to Mirabeau. who turned then to a
paper from which he had drawn his information, and found he had totally
mistaken it. He promised immediately that he would himself declare his
error to the States General, and read to them my letter, which he did.
I state this matter to you, though of little consequence in itself,
because it might go to you misstated in the English papers.

Our supplies to the Atlantic ports of France, during the months of
March, April, and May, were only twelve thousand two hundred and twenty
quintals, thirty-three pounds of flour, and forty-four thousand one
hundred and fifteen quintals, forty pounds of wheat, in twenty-one
vessels....
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MEMOIR, CORRESPONDENCE, AND MISCELLANIES, FROM THE PAPERS OF THOMAS
JEFFERSON.

Edited by Thomas Jefferson Randolph.

VOLUME TWO

LETTER I.--TO RICHARD HENRY LEE, April 22, 1786


TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.

London, April 22, 1786.

Dear Sir,

In your letter of October the 29th, you desired me to send you one of
the new lamps. I tried at every probable place in Paris, and could not
get a tolerable one. I have been glad of it since I came here, as I find
them much better made here. I now deliver one, with this letter, into
the hands of Mr. Fulwar Skipwith, a merchant from Virginia, settled
here, who promises to send it to you, with one for Mr. C. Thomson. Of
this be pleased to accept, from me. It is now found, that they may be
used with almost any oil.

I expect to leave this place in about three days. Our public letters,
joint and separate, will inform you what has been done, and what could
not be done here. With respect to a commercial treaty with this country,
be assured, that this government not only has it not in contemplation
at present to make any, but that they do not conceive that any
circumstances will arise, which shall render it expedient for them to
have any political connection with us. They think we shall be glad of
their commerce on their own terms. There is no party in our favor here,
either in power or out of power. Even the opposition concur with the
ministry and the nation in this. I can scarcely consider as a party, the
Marquis of Lansdowne, and a half dozen characters about him, such as Dr.
Price, &c. who are impressed with the utility of a friendly connection
with us. The former does not venture this sentiment in parliament, and
the latter are not in situations to be heard. The Marquis of Lansdowne
spoke to me affectionately of your brother, Doctor Lee, and desired his
respects to him, which I beg leave to communicate through you. Were
he to come into the ministry (of which there is not the most distant
prospect), he must adopt the King's system, or go out again, as he did
before, for daring to depart from it. When we see, that through all the
changes of ministry, which have taken place during the present reign,
there has never been a change of system with respect to America, we
cannot reasonably doubt, that this is the system of the King himself.
His obstinacy of character we know; his hostility we have known, and
it is embittered by ill success. If ever this nation, during his life,
enter into arrangements with us, it must be in consequence of events,
of which they do not at present see a possibility. The object of the
present ministry is to buoy up the nation with flattering calculations
of their present prosperity, and to make them believe they are better
without us than with us. This they seriously believe; for what is it
men cannot be made to believe? I dined the other day in a company of the
ministerial party. A General Clark, a Scotchman and ministerialist, sat....
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Read Thomas Jefferson State of the Union address from 1801 to 1808. He gave 8 addresses to Congress during his time in office.Own these historic addresses from one of the United States "Founding Fathers" ... Read more

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MEMOIR, CORRESPONDENCE, AND MISCELLANIES, FROM THE PAPERS OF THOMAS
JEFFERSON.

Edited by Thomas Jefferson Randolph.

VOLUME IV.

LETTER I.--TO LEVI LINCOLN, August 30, 1803


TO LEVI LINCOLN.

Monticello, August 30, 1803.

Deak. Sir,

The enclosed letter came to hand by yesterday's post. You will be
sensible of the circumstances which make it improper that I should
hazard a formal answer, as well as of the desire its friendly aspect
naturally excites, that those concerned in it should understand that
the spirit they express is friendly viewed. You can judge also from your
knowledge of the ground, whether it may be usefully encouraged. I take
the liberty, therefore, of availing myself of your neighborhood to
Boston, and of your friendship to me, to request you to say to the
Captain and others verbally whatever you think would be proper, as
expressive of my sentiments on the subject. With respect to the day
on which they wish to fix their anniversary, they may be told, that
disapproving myself of transferring the honors and veneration for the
great birthday of our republic to any individual, or of dividing them
with individuals, I have declined letting my own birthday be known, and
have engaged my family not to communicate it. This has been the uniform
answer to every application of the kind.

On further consideration as to the amendment to our constitution
respecting Louisiana, I have thought it better, instead of enumerating
the powers which Congress may exercise, to give them the same powers
they have as to other portions of the Union generally, and to enumerate
the special exceptions, in some such form as the following.

'Louisiana, as ceded by France to the United States, is made a part of
the United States, its white inhabitants shall be citizens, and stand,
as to their rights and obligations, on the same footing with other
citizens of the United States, in analogous situations. Save only that
as to the portion thereof lying north of an east and west line drawn
through the mouth of Arkansas river, no new State shall be established,
nor any grants of land made, other than to Indians, in exchange for
equivalent portions of land occupied by them, until an amendment of the
constitution shall be made for these purposes.

'Florida also, whensoever it may be rightfully obtained, shall become
a part of the United States, its white inhabitants shall thereupon be
citizens, and shall stand, as to their rights and obligations, on the
same footing with other citizens of the United States, in analogous
situations.'

I quote this for your consideration, observing that the less that is
said about any constitutional difficulty, the better: and that it will
be desirable for Congress to do what is necessary, in silence. I find
but one opinion as to the necessity of shutting up the country for
some time. We meet in Washington the 25th of September to prepare for
Congress. Accept my affectionate salutations, and great esteem and
respect.

Th: Jefferson.....

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Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson

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MEMOIR, CORRESPONDENCE, AND MISCELLANIES, FROM THE PAPERS OF THOMAS
JEFFERSON.

Edited by Thomas Jefferson Randolph.






EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA, to wit:

Be it remembered, that on the seventeenth day of January, in
the fifty-third year of the Independence of the United
States of America, Thomas Jefferson Randolph, of the said
District, hath deposited in this office the title of a book,
the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words
following, to wit:

"Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, from the Papers
of Thomas Jefferson. Edited by Thomas Jefferson Randolph."

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United
States, entitled "An act for the encouragement of learning,
by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the
authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times
therein mentioned."

RD. JEFFRIES, Clerk of the Eastern District of Virginia.

CAMBRIDGE: E. W. Metcalf & Company.




PREFACE.

The opinion universally entertained of the extraordinary abilities of
Thomas Jefferson, and the signal evidence given by his country, of a
profound sense of his patriotic services, and of veneration for his
memory, have induced the Editor, who is both his Executor and the
Legatee of his Manuscript Papers, to believe that an extensive
publication from them would be particularly acceptable to the American
people.

The Memoir, contained in the first volume, commences with circumstantial
notices of his earliest life; and is continued to his arrival in New
York, in March, 1790, when he entered on the duties of the Department of
State, of which he had been just appointed Secretary.

From the aspect of the Memoir, it may be presumed that parts of it, at
least, had been written for his own and his family's use only; and in a
style without the finish of his revising pen. There is, however, no part
of it, minute and personal as it may be, which the Reader would wish
to have been passed over by the Editor; whilst not a few parts of that
description will, by some, be regarded with a particular interest.

The contents of the Memoir, succeeding the biographical pages, may be
designated as follows:

I. General facts and anecdotes relating to the origin and early stages
of the contest with Great Britain.

II. Historical circumstances relating to the Confederation of the
States.

III. Facts and anecdotes, local and general, preliminary to the
Declaration of Independence.

IV. An exact account of the circumstances attending that memorable act,
in its preparation and its progress through Congress; with a copy
from the original draught, _in the hand-writing of the Author;_ and a
parallel column, in the same hand, showing the alterations made in the
draught by Congress....
... Read more

Product Description
Author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson is among the most important and controversial of American political thinkers. Joyce Appleby and Terence Ball have selected the most important of Jefferson's numerous writings, setting out his views on topics such as revolution, slavery and the role of women. The texts are supported by a concise introduction, suggestions for further reading and short biographies of key figures, all providing invaluable assistance to the student encountering Jefferson's thought for the first time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Strong Collection
This volume is a welcome addition to the various editions of Jefferson's writings available.Although many of the selections may be found in the Library of America edition, this work conveniently arranges them topically. In addition, there are many pieces *not* available anywhere else.Perhapsthe most valuable aspect of the work is the large and informative list ofshort biographies in front.The only real drawback I can see is theexclusion of some important documents, most notably his draft of theKentucky Resolutions of 1798(perhaps the most profound and succintexpression of Jefferson's political philosophy there is).But on thewhole, it's great, and it should appeal to most serious Jeffersonians.

Strong Collection
This volume is a welcome addition to the various editions of Jefferson's writings available.Although many of the selections may be found in the Library of America edition, this work conveniently arranges them topically. In addition, there are many pieces *not* available anywhere else.Perhapsthe most valuable aspect of the work is the large and informative list ofshort biographies in front.The only real drawback I can see is theexclusion of some important documents, most notably his draft of theKentucky Resolutions of 1798.But on the whole, it's great, and it shouldappeal to most serious Jeffersonians. ... Read more

Product Description
Jefferson and some compatriots

attempt to manage, manipulate and

break the electoral tie between

Jefferson and Aaron Burr. The

House of Representatives has taken

35 votes and each has ended in a tie.

Jefferson has to use his influence,

his intelligence, and his political

power to force the deadlock open in

his favor. In so doing, he attempts

to elicit help from his arch

philosophical and political

opponent, Alexander Hamilton.

This play dramatizes the political

acumen of one of our most

complex leaders. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Interesting, informative and very readable
The plays in the History's Project's "Character in Time: The US Presidents" series are interesting and informative and, above all, very readable. People unfamiliar with reading plays should not be put off by the format -- after a few minutes time, it seems perfectly natural to read dialogue instead of normal prose. Students, especially, will appreciate the playwright's artful distillation of the subject's ideas and philosophy, as well as the lively presentation of his character -- there's really a lot of information packed into these small volumes.

American History Comes Alive!
After reading this brief one-act play, I envy today's high school and college students whose teachers elect to use this gem as a teaching strategy. Cox adroitly weaves the many complex facets of Jefferson through the warp of late 18th century and early 19th century American political history and sets the stage for subsequent history. He grabs adolescent prurient interest and attention by kicking off the drama with a hearty ditty that satirizes Jefferson's relationship with his slave Sally Hemings. What student could nap after that?

The play covers a time frame of a few hours between House of Representatives debate about selection of a president to break an electoral tie between Jefferson and Burr and Jefferson's ultimate victory. However, the dialog covers a wealth of concepts from which the teacher can select to base his/her focus for one class session or a series of sessions.

For many if not most high school and college students, history is a necessary evil, an ordeal to be lived through with no expectation that it will be fascinating or that it will leave a lasting impression beyond a grade on a transcript. Through this deceptively simple dramatization, Cox raises the possibility that interest in history can be stimulated early and form the basis for continued lifelong interest.

Pauline Ellen Lee, EdD, RN

American History Comes Alive!
After reading this brief one-act play, I envy today's high school and college students whose teachers elect to use this gem as a teaching strategy. Cox adroitly weaves the many complex facets of Jefferson through the warp of late 18th century and early 19th century American political history and sets the stage for subsequent history. He grabs adolescent prurient interest and attention by kicking off the drama with a hearty ditty that satirizes Jefferson's relationship with his slave Sally Hemings. What student could nap after that?

The play covers a time frame of a few hours between House of Representatives debate about selection of a president to break an electoral tie between Jefferson and Burr and Jefferson's ultimate victory. However, the dialog covers a wealth of concepts from which the teacher can select to base his/her focus for one class session or a series of sessions.

For many if not most high school and college students, history is a necessary evil, an ordeal to be lived through with no expectation that it will be fascinating or that it will leave a lasting impression beyond a grade on a transcript. Through this deceptively simple dramatization, Cox raises the possibility that interest in history can be stimulated early and form the basis for continued lifelong interest.

Reviewed by Pauline Ellen Lee, EdD., RN ... Read more