Description
Marking the 250th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s birth, a new biography of the nice founding father presents Jefferson as a dynamic “brand new” man who used to be thoroughly influenced by the philosophical movements of his time. TV tie-in. 30,000 first printing. $30,000 ad/promo. Tour.
A biography of Thomas Jefferson, who in spite of his legendary intelligence and political savvy, might be ruthless, to not mention lawless, in his efforts to preserve his causes. Jefferson operated on two levels, as his opposition to slavery as a slaveowner attests. But as Willard Sterne Randall argues, this duality is what made him so effective. Whether Jefferson’s 1784 draft of Virginia’s constitution “prefigured the founding documents of republics in Europe, Asia, Africa and South The us, in addition to the Confederate States of The us,” as Randall claims, is questionable, but his affect on international trade, diplomatic discussions and the success of the state of Virginia can’t be disputed.