What do you think?
Rate this book
Library of America #17
Thomas Jefferson: Writings
Now fully represented in this Library of America volume is the most comprehensive testimony of the writings of our third president and foremost spokesperson for democracy. Thomas Jefferson, a brilliant political thinker, is perhaps best known for the Declaration of Independence, but he was a man of extraordinarily wide interests.
He was exceptionally controversial in his own time, and many of his ideas remain the subject of national debate. In his arguments for a system of general education, for local rather than central authority, for caution in international affairs, for religious and intellectual freedom, and for economic and social justice, Jefferson defined the issues that still direct our national political life centuries after the nation's formation. This volume will give readers the opportunity to reassess one of our most influential presidents.
Jefferson's First Inaugural Address is a resounding statement of faith in a democracy of enlightened people. His Notes on the State of Virginia (1785) is an invaluable record of the landscape, inhabitants, life, and daily customs of America in the Revolutionary and early national eras. His letters, more than two hundred and fifty of which are gathered here, are brilliant urbane missives to such men as Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, Lafayette, John Adams and James Madison. His slim Autobiography (1821), written "for my own more ready reference, and for the information of my family," hardly hints at the influence and impact he had as Secretary of State under George Washington, Minister to France, opposition-party Vice President to John Adams, and, after leaving the presidency, founder of the University of Virginia.
His public papers and addresses fully demonstrate both the breadth of his interests and the power of his expressive mind. Extensively read (his personal library of ten thousand volumes became the foundation of the Library of Congress) and widely traveled, Jefferson wrote with ease and spontaneity about science, archaeology, botany and gardening, religion, literature, architecture, education, the habits of his fellow citizens, and, of course, his beloved home, Monticello.
Jefferson's prose has an energy, clarity, and charming off-handedness, consistent with his conviction that style in writing should impose no barrier between the most educated and the most common reader. For those who want a renewed sense of the opportunity for human freedom that the United States represented to its founders, this is an indispensable book.
He was exceptionally controversial in his own time, and many of his ideas remain the subject of national debate. In his arguments for a system of general education, for local rather than central authority, for caution in international affairs, for religious and intellectual freedom, and for economic and social justice, Jefferson defined the issues that still direct our national political life centuries after the nation's formation. This volume will give readers the opportunity to reassess one of our most influential presidents.
Jefferson's First Inaugural Address is a resounding statement of faith in a democracy of enlightened people. His Notes on the State of Virginia (1785) is an invaluable record of the landscape, inhabitants, life, and daily customs of America in the Revolutionary and early national eras. His letters, more than two hundred and fifty of which are gathered here, are brilliant urbane missives to such men as Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, Lafayette, John Adams and James Madison. His slim Autobiography (1821), written "for my own more ready reference, and for the information of my family," hardly hints at the influence and impact he had as Secretary of State under George Washington, Minister to France, opposition-party Vice President to John Adams, and, after leaving the presidency, founder of the University of Virginia.
His public papers and addresses fully demonstrate both the breadth of his interests and the power of his expressive mind. Extensively read (his personal library of ten thousand volumes became the foundation of the Library of Congress) and widely traveled, Jefferson wrote with ease and spontaneity about science, archaeology, botany and gardening, religion, literature, architecture, education, the habits of his fellow citizens, and, of course, his beloved home, Monticello.
Jefferson's prose has an energy, clarity, and charming off-handedness, consistent with his conviction that style in writing should impose no barrier between the most educated and the most common reader. For those who want a renewed sense of the opportunity for human freedom that the United States represented to its founders, this is an indispensable book.
1600 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 1984
97 people are currently reading
2,517 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Jefferson
1,435 books692 followersThomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Following the American Revolutionary War and prior to becoming president in 1801, Jefferson was the nation's first U.S. secretary of state under George Washington and then the nation's second vice president under John Adams. Jefferson was a leading proponent of democracy, republicanism, and individual rights, and produced formative documents and decisions at the state, national, and international levels. His writings and advocacy for human rights, including freedom of thought, speech, and religion, served as substantial inspirations to the American Revolution and subsequent Revolutionary War in which the Thirteen Colonies succeeded in breaking from British America and establishing the United States as a sovereign nation.
During the American Revolution, Jefferson represented Virginia at the Second Continental Congress and served as the second governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781. In 1785, Congress appointed Jefferson U.S. minister to France, where he served from 1785 to 1789. President Washington then appointed Jefferson the nation's first secretary of state, where he served from 1790 to 1793. During this time, in the early 1790s, Jefferson and James Madison organized the Democratic-Republican Party to oppose the Federalist Party during the formation of the nation's First Party System. Jefferson and Federalist John Adams became both friends and political rivals. In the 1796 U.S. presidential election between the two, Jefferson came in second, which made him Adams' vice president under the electoral laws of the time. Four years later, in the 1800 presidential election, Jefferson again challenged Adams, and won the presidency. In 1804, Jefferson was reelected overwhelmingly to a second term.
As president, Jefferson assertively defended the nation's shipping and trade interests against Barbary pirates and aggressive British trade policies, promoted a western expansionist policy with the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the nation's geographic size, and was able to reduce military forces and expenditures following successful negotiations with France. In his second presidential term, Jefferson was beset by difficulties at home, including the trial of his former vice president Aaron Burr. In 1807, Jefferson implemented the Embargo Act to defend the nation's industries from British threats to U.S. shipping, limiting foreign trade and stimulating the birth of the American manufacturing industry. Presidential scholars and historians praise Jefferson's public achievements, including his advocacy of religious freedom and tolerance, his peaceful acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from France, and his leadership in supporting the Lewis and Clark Expedition; they give radically differing interpretations of his views on and relationship with slavery.
Jefferson is ranked by both scholars and in public opinion among the upper-tier of American presidents.
During the American Revolution, Jefferson represented Virginia at the Second Continental Congress and served as the second governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781. In 1785, Congress appointed Jefferson U.S. minister to France, where he served from 1785 to 1789. President Washington then appointed Jefferson the nation's first secretary of state, where he served from 1790 to 1793. During this time, in the early 1790s, Jefferson and James Madison organized the Democratic-Republican Party to oppose the Federalist Party during the formation of the nation's First Party System. Jefferson and Federalist John Adams became both friends and political rivals. In the 1796 U.S. presidential election between the two, Jefferson came in second, which made him Adams' vice president under the electoral laws of the time. Four years later, in the 1800 presidential election, Jefferson again challenged Adams, and won the presidency. In 1804, Jefferson was reelected overwhelmingly to a second term.
As president, Jefferson assertively defended the nation's shipping and trade interests against Barbary pirates and aggressive British trade policies, promoted a western expansionist policy with the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the nation's geographic size, and was able to reduce military forces and expenditures following successful negotiations with France. In his second presidential term, Jefferson was beset by difficulties at home, including the trial of his former vice president Aaron Burr. In 1807, Jefferson implemented the Embargo Act to defend the nation's industries from British threats to U.S. shipping, limiting foreign trade and stimulating the birth of the American manufacturing industry. Presidential scholars and historians praise Jefferson's public achievements, including his advocacy of religious freedom and tolerance, his peaceful acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from France, and his leadership in supporting the Lewis and Clark Expedition; they give radically differing interpretations of his views on and relationship with slavery.
Jefferson is ranked by both scholars and in public opinion among the upper-tier of American presidents.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 18, 2013
We should not be so hasty to charge the historical figures of yesterday by the moral standards of today. Without Jefferson's Declaration of Independence, human society would be so much worse off, in so many ways. To besmirch his memory as is most constantly done with the usual tagline "...but he owned slaves!" is ignorant and only proves that whoever is talking probably has never even read his work.
Just as someone claiming Benjamin Franklin was an "atheist" only proves the same point, when Franklin absolutely made no such claims and in fact said quite the opposite. Modern critics and persons interested (as I am) in preserving Native American culture would be no less horrified at Jefferson's desecration of an Indian Burial ground noted in his Notes on Virginia. However this appears to a modern eye Jefferson was only making in his mind an honest scientific inquiry. Much the same might be said of some of his "perceived conclusions" that blacks are in some ways different than whites, while all the whiles- and in every sector- acclaiming the rights of man and the abhorrence of slavery. Without which this country could never have been begun. It was not Jefferson who pulled the anti-slavery language from the Declaration, but other members of the Continental Congress. He himself reproached the slave trade and in fact makes note it was the British who inflicted it on America while still colonies, not that it was an American oppression of Africans.
That he himself had "familial" relations with one of his own slaves says less that he abused his "property" sexually or he was somehow hypocritical, than he respected their humanity and made their freedom a condition of one of his last bequests. This earth would never have known such a thing as the Declaration of Independence to begin with, without Thomas Jefferson's courageous beliefs. They helped to found a great nation, which has, over the course of 200+ years, strayed quite far from the vision of Jefferson and Franklin. So all Americans would do themselves a Great Favor by re-reading the Declaration of Independence in its initial form (as published here) if only to recognize how far that straying has taken place, mostly unnoticed, in the halls of the very institutions Jefferson helped immeasurably to create.
Just as someone claiming Benjamin Franklin was an "atheist" only proves the same point, when Franklin absolutely made no such claims and in fact said quite the opposite. Modern critics and persons interested (as I am) in preserving Native American culture would be no less horrified at Jefferson's desecration of an Indian Burial ground noted in his Notes on Virginia. However this appears to a modern eye Jefferson was only making in his mind an honest scientific inquiry. Much the same might be said of some of his "perceived conclusions" that blacks are in some ways different than whites, while all the whiles- and in every sector- acclaiming the rights of man and the abhorrence of slavery. Without which this country could never have been begun. It was not Jefferson who pulled the anti-slavery language from the Declaration, but other members of the Continental Congress. He himself reproached the slave trade and in fact makes note it was the British who inflicted it on America while still colonies, not that it was an American oppression of Africans.
That he himself had "familial" relations with one of his own slaves says less that he abused his "property" sexually or he was somehow hypocritical, than he respected their humanity and made their freedom a condition of one of his last bequests. This earth would never have known such a thing as the Declaration of Independence to begin with, without Thomas Jefferson's courageous beliefs. They helped to found a great nation, which has, over the course of 200+ years, strayed quite far from the vision of Jefferson and Franklin. So all Americans would do themselves a Great Favor by re-reading the Declaration of Independence in its initial form (as published here) if only to recognize how far that straying has taken place, mostly unnoticed, in the halls of the very institutions Jefferson helped immeasurably to create.
December 28, 2023
Incredibly interesting to explore the most prime years of our history. Jefferson's writing style is surprisingly clear and easy-to-read.
My recommendations:
-- First, read the Wikipedia article on Thomas Jefferson
-- Thomas Jefferson's 'Autobiography'
-- First Inaugural Address
-- Letter to Edward Coles, August 25, 1814. - 'Emancipation and the younger generation'
-- Other addresses/letters of your interest, his bills for religious freedom and diffusion of knowledge, also 'Notes on the State of Virginia' is good for gaining a sense of the culture
My recommendations:
-- First, read the Wikipedia article on Thomas Jefferson
-- Thomas Jefferson's 'Autobiography'
-- First Inaugural Address
-- Letter to Edward Coles, August 25, 1814. - 'Emancipation and the younger generation'
-- Other addresses/letters of your interest, his bills for religious freedom and diffusion of knowledge, also 'Notes on the State of Virginia' is good for gaining a sense of the culture
July 31, 2017
The man had opinions - but I think it goes with being a revolutionary. His writings are a joy to read - he is interested in everything and usually has intelligent things to say about them. It is that quality that marks an exceptional man - curiosity and the intelligence to make use of it. If only we had more leaders in our country like that nowadays.
Read
December 13, 2024Read most of "Notes on the State of Virginia"; led to it from both the book about Audubon and also Smith's Chesapeake. Been ruminating on historical views of the natural world.
February 16, 2021
Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, and founder of the University of Virginia, is one of the more elusive Founding Father’s to pin down. Like Benjamin Franklin, he was a polymath with a deep interest in the many scientific undertakings of his age and was a consummate, though reluctant (at least according to himself), politician. At times he could be seemingly all over the place. What this book of Jefferson’s public papers and letters does is let readers peer more deeply into his mind and soul than the many biographies written of him since his death, but at the cost of creating one extremely long volume.
For my full review, check out my blog here.
For my full review, check out my blog here.
May 4, 2008
Thomas Jefferson was quite the rennaisance man. Planter, architect, politician, inventer. He was also a radical, an admirer of the French revolution, believer that each generation must have its own revolution. But, his writing style comes across as flowery, dense, and pedantic. Contrast Franklin, whose writing style seems modern, to the point, funny, salty, and wise. Without question, one would want to hand out with Franklin rather then be lectured by Jefferson.
November 18, 2008
Watched the John Adams movie and was inspired to pull this book from my library book shelf and dust it off again. I can't think of anyone today being as accomplished so early in life as the men of the revolutionary time. It just amazing that someone could accomplish so much so quick. Also, I didn't realize how much detail was in the Declaration of Independence concerning the transgressions of Great Britain, specifically King George and Parliment.
January 1, 2009
This should be mandatory reading for Politicians and voters. When he states that his most values accomplishments include "the demolition of the church establishment, and freedom of religion.(p702)" you know you are getting gold from the principal architect of American democracy. No commentary is substitute for this; the man's own writing! Wonderful.
July 18, 2009
Mr. Jefferson believed in principles to help guide us on the path of right. However Mr. Jefferson was quite the politian. I have mixed feelings about Mr. Jefferson, whereas, It is good to read his writings.
Thank you, Professor Tucker!
Thank you, Professor Tucker!
July 31, 2020
After reading all the letters from Thomas Jefferson I feel we owe him an apology. He made clear his belief that the federal government should be extremely limited in its power. In addition to his famous writings, this book includes a large collection of letters he sent to various people. You also learn a lot about his views on religion, which have been skewed heavily by modern historians. There are parts of his writing that are very difficult to read about. Him basically describing every physical feature of the land of Virginia for example. However, the genius of his writing far outways the dullness of these parts of the book.
June 22, 2022
This book is excellent but requires historical context, especially for reading Notes on the State of Virginia (it is infinitely better once you understand its historical significance). It's strange to me how challenging the dialect of Jefferson is to read- being a product of his time- while the works of Thomas Paine are somehow so easy to understand even today. I'd highly recommend Paine for that reason.
August 23, 2023
I would not even know where to begin reviewing this tome, which collects many of Thomas Jefferson's writings. Of all the Founding Fathers, he has always been the most intriguing to me with his numerous pursuits -- a real Renaissance man. I had read many of the collected writings separately over the years (I was a history and political science major) but reading them collected this way was a great immersive experience.
January 10, 2018
Reading his writings has been an excellent way to get an understanding of Jefferson. His convictions, his contradictions, his reasoning and at times his eloquence are expressed. Apparently there are more of his letters and other writings than included here, even though this set extended over 1500 pages.
November 9, 2021
This is almost the first book I read after coming to college. It was a huge reading for me. Maybe because of it I also had an unconscious desire to write letters so that one day they may be published. Now I think it interesting that this book mentions nothing about sally hemings.
March 3, 2025
I found this volume to be extremely difficult and dense to read. It might be an excellent read for someone highly interested in political science or early United States history, but that is not me. I regret having purchased the volume.
July 18, 2017
Jefferson's answer to the French government's skeptical queries about this home state of Virigina takes at the form of an ode to the developing culture of the USA just after the American Revolution.
October 27, 2017
A bit of a slog sometimes. But it is rife with gems of wisdom. I look forward to typing up and preserving the hundreds of bits of insight found among his letters and speeches.
February 5, 2019
Man Jefferson was dang cool.
Read
July 23, 2019Jefferson's answer to the French government's skeptical queries about this home state of Virginia takes at the form of an ode to the developing culture of the USA just after the American Revolution.
November 16, 2019
I LIKE THIS BOOK.
November 22, 2024
Absolutely incredible, especially the letters!
March 24, 2018
I won't fill this page with my opinions about Jefferson's work. So much has already been written about that and there is little new to contribute. This book is a condensed series of writings by Jefferson. It is by no means anywhere close to the entire volume of his work, but that said it is intended (I think) to provide the reader with the most salient samples of this great statesman's life and work. In that, it excels. (I also have the multi-volume complete works and it will take some time to get through all that.) But this work one could reasonably sit and read, or use for a reference. It seems this book is more geared as an undergrad coursebook, which is by no means an indictment of it.
The text is clear and binding is high quality on acid-free stock.
If you are looking for a book with more "meat" than your basic Jefferson material,you will be pleased with this release.
DR
The text is clear and binding is high quality on acid-free stock.
If you are looking for a book with more "meat" than your basic Jefferson material,you will be pleased with this release.
DR
March 14, 2013
T.J. has long been one of my political heroes. What is so incredible is that not only knew many subjects, languages and sciences, he became well respected for his opinions on many topics of they day. He was a master at knowing human nature and how we react to different laws of man and nature.
Many historians refer to him as a Deist which depends on how one defines Deism. However, Jefferson himself calls himself a Christian and we know he was not an orthodox Christian, but as a scientist in the age of Enlightenment, we see him struggle with faith in the unknown. In his letters to Benjamin Rush, I read between the lines and see him almost asking Rush to convince him in this supernatural faith.
T.J. had vision, courage and had conviction unequaled by any modern politician it the modern era. A true Statesman is rare and T.J. was a Statesman.
Many historians refer to him as a Deist which depends on how one defines Deism. However, Jefferson himself calls himself a Christian and we know he was not an orthodox Christian, but as a scientist in the age of Enlightenment, we see him struggle with faith in the unknown. In his letters to Benjamin Rush, I read between the lines and see him almost asking Rush to convince him in this supernatural faith.
T.J. had vision, courage and had conviction unequaled by any modern politician it the modern era. A true Statesman is rare and T.J. was a Statesman.
July 14, 2013
This selected collection of Jefferson's writings is fruitful both for academic and private purposes. Covering most of his important correspondence and supplementing additional works such as his autobiography and notes, this would be the first choice for a detailed study of Jefferson's mind.
All this details are printed on thin and acid free paper, protected by a strong hardcover.
The impressive and detailed index of this collection makes a quick issue oriented search for every one's means possible.
Like most of the Library of America's books, this is very well edited and can thus serve as excellent source material.
All this details are printed on thin and acid free paper, protected by a strong hardcover.
The impressive and detailed index of this collection makes a quick issue oriented search for every one's means possible.
Like most of the Library of America's books, this is very well edited and can thus serve as excellent source material.
September 4, 2015
Great collection of writings. The most fascinating part is his notes on an early draft of the Declaration. We get his opinion on what was added and cut out before it was signed. The book was worth it for this alone. Most of the rest of the papers and speeches are hit or miss. Some are politically or culturally interesting, others, including several on measurements and prices of crops, are pretty boring. The vast majority of the book is made up of personal letters with his opinions on politics, culture, religion, etc. Really great stuff.
Read
August 9, 2011Raudha will not find the world such as Thomas Jefferson Aaroad that these faces are real-life original, which he lost one of the United Ahram and symbols, even though we did not Naqralkther them but always Out of our wisdom and our analysis give accurate results with ourselves and give the vote
Finally, I say Do you find the nations are like those who are the writers and the spring and Nsmah .......
Finally, I say Do you find the nations are like those who are the writers and the spring and Nsmah .......
February 8, 2013
It is certainly hard to judge the value of the content of Jefferson's writing because regardless of personal opinion, its impact has been so largely felt. It cannot be disregarded because so much of an American's present reality is dictated by things found in these pages. Therefore, I will not argue for or against the philosophies found in this book but rather on the amalgamation of this anthology which I found to be most effective and a good summary of Jefferson's writing and opinion.
June 25, 2013
This thorough collection of original letters, addresses, and autobiography paints a vivid picture of Thomas Jefferson and the values of liberty, security and democracy he stood for. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to learn more about America's beginnings and a great advocate of the principles we must cherish.
October 21, 2009
Great ideas and words of the enigma himself, Thomas Jefferson. He paints himself in all the glory and drawbacks that a full human being is. Interesting read if you want to get into the mindset of early Americans.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews