Thomas Jefferson: America's Philosopher-King

by Max Lerner (Editor)

Overview

Over the course of more than six decades as an author, journalist, and professor, Max Lerner studied and assessed many presidents, yet Thomas Jefferson received his most sustained attention

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781560002628
Publisher:	Transaction Publishers
Publication date:	01/30/1996
Series:	American Presidents (Transaction Hardcover)
Pages:	156
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Preface and AcknowledgmentsIntroductionJefferson Chronology1. The Making of a Revolutionary, 1743–17842. A Diplomat in Europe, 1785–17893. The Struggle for National Mastery, 1789–18004. The Practice and Theory of Foreign Policy, 1789–17955. The Two Revolutions6. A Party Leader's Path to the Summit, 1789–18007. Jefferson in Power: The Jeffersonian Revolution and the Presidency, 1801–1805 8. Jefferson in Trouble: Conspiracy, Embargo, and Civil Liberties, 1805–1809 9. Twilight of a Life—And a Great Correspondence, 1809–1826 10. Reformer, Educator, Humanist: The Rounding Out of a Mind and Will, 1809–1826 11. Jefferson's Cosmos as a Frame for His Thought12. Last Days and Death, 182613. The Shadow of Jefferson: Legend, Image, Idea14. Ambiguity and Unity in Jefferson's ThoughtAppendix: Jefferson as a Man of LettersIndex

Editorial Reviews

Until his death in 1992, Lerner was a distinguished academic scholar at several universities, a syndicated newspaper columnist, and the author of numerous books on American history. From 1957 to the 1970s, he planned to publish a book of selections of Jefferson's writings, but he set it aside repeatedly. The present work was written in the early 1970s and consists of the long, interpretive essay that Lerner intended to precede Jefferson's writings. Lerner's reflective examination of Jefferson's entire career holds up amazingly well. Like Andrew Burstein's The Inner Jefferson: Portrait of a Grieving Optimist (LJ 11/15/95), this work stresses the contradictions and ambiguities in Jefferson's character. Though an admirer of Jefferson, Lerner provides balanced analysis. He believes that one reason for Jefferson's greatness was his ability to combine thought with action. Thus despite his distaste for Plato, Jefferson exemplified Plato's ideal of the "philosopher-king." An excellent introduction to Jefferson for general readers; recommended for public libraries.Thomas J. Schaeper, St. Bonaventure Univ., N.Y.

Library Journal

Drawing from his career in law enforcement and security, Hylton discusses a wide range of security programs and measures for schools. His topics include bomb threats, drug and alcohol testing, emergency and response plans, intrusion detection, education and training in security, and operating procedures. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

[T]he eloquence, compactness, and grace of Lerner’s essay can still be read to advantage as one of the best short introductions to Jefferson currently available.” —J. C. A. Stagg, The American Historical Review “Lerner’s reflective examination of Jefferson’s entire career holds up amazingly well. . . . [T]his work stresses the contradictions and ambiguities in Jefferson’s character. Though an admirer of Jefferson, Lerner provides balanced analysis. He believes that one reason for Jefferson’s greatness was his ability to combine thought with action. Thus despite his distaste for Plato, Jefferson exemplified Plato’s ideal of the 'philosopher-king.' An excellent introduction to Jefferson for general readers; recommended for public libraries.” —Thomas J. Schaeper, Library Journal

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