Thomas Jefferson : Writings : Autobiography / Notes on the State of Virginia / Public and Private Papers / Addresses / Letters (Library of America)

This is one of the most important books in the world in my opinion. I wish they published all of Jefferson's writings. History has been rewritten, and Jefferson pointed out that even Washington misrepresented the facts. He would also go on to discuss what he discovered about Washington and his circle of friends both within and without his administration. Here's an excerpt from one of his writings:"I returned from that mission in the 1st. year of the new government, having landed in Virginia in Dec. 89. & proceeded to N. York in March 90. to enter on the office of Secretary of State. Here certainly I found a state of things which, of all I had ever contemplated, I the least expected. I had left France in the first year of its revolution, in the fervor of natural rights, and zeal for reformation. My conscientious devotion to these rights could not be heightened, but it had been aroused and excited by daily exercise. The President received me cordially, and my Colleagues & the circle of principal citizens, apparently, with welcome. The courtesies of dinner parties given me as a stranger newly arrived among them, placed me at once in their familiar society. But I cannot describe the wonder and mortification with which the table conversations filled me. Politics were the chief topic, and a preference of kingly, over republican, government, was evidently the favorite sentiment. An apostate I could not be; nor yet a hypocrite: and I found myself, for the most part, the only advocate on the republican side of the question, unless, among the guests, there chanced to be some member of that party from the legislative Houses."Jefferson, Thomas. Jefferson: Writings (Library of America) (Kindle Locations 10397-10406). Library of America. Kindle Edition.In my opinion, this book should be mandatory reading in classrooms throughout the country if not the world, and we should pressure the Library of Congress (Congress), the University of Virginia, the Massachusetts Historical Society, and the more than 900 different repositories to digitize and make available to the general public every word of Jefferson's writings, because I believe there are a lot of things our government is suppressing. For example, I guarantee he had more to say about Judicial Review, Washington's administration, and the Second Amendment than we have access to. The repositories I mentioned have the largest collections, and I recommend everyone write them to compel them to make available all of Jefferson's works. When you rank the books from the Library of Congress on Amazon, Jefferson is not among the first pages and that is astounding to me. This book is so important I have it both on Kindle and hardcover in my library.

The book is in pretty good condition. Was shipped in a timely manner. Received it without a dust cover. Not as illustrated.This book is compact and lengthy. The print is a little small for comfortable reading. The material is historic description, as told by an attorney, so it can get a little dry.This volume has over 1500 pages, so it will take a while to read. That is a value for the money, considering how much reading this book provides.

I bought this for my dad, who was amazed at the value of this book. It's very thick and heavy, with a quality binding. I don't know how they print such a large book for so cheap. If you want to read Thomas Jefferson, this book is great! All the important writings together in one volume.

First, let me start with my qualifications. I am not a history major, and my knowledge of American history is not where I would like it to be. That being said I'm sad to say that I know more than most people I run into. Sure many people have memorized dates, and can recite historical trends from memory because they had to learn it for some exam. That is not what I'm talking about!! You have to read their words, think about the times they were living in, and hardships they had to endure to give us the freedoms many of us enjoy today. I am about a hundred pages into this massive volume of Jeffersons works, and it will take me a few years to get through it (I have other interests). However, from what I have read thus far I am very much impressed with it. Jefferson was a very strong personality who walked out on what he believed to be right. We as a nation would do well to elect a man like him into office (if you can find one). This is a man who would have gladly died for what he believed in (no really stop and think about what that means). I doubt you could find one politician in Washington who would do the same today. This is truly a teasure chest of history for those who seek to understand the history not just memorize facts.

The "Writings of Thomas Jefferson" is an outstanding book...Not a classic book, though: it is a compilation of many of the letters that Thomas Jefferson wrote during his long life.My only regret here, is that many of these letters, are reply to other letters.And it would be great to have, in either the same book, or another books, the "Letters to Thomas Jefferson" to better understand the topic, the whole story! Ideally, and easy cross-reference would be available!There are a few letters, that I especially recommend to my friends, but it is better if you find them on your own!I hold Thomas Jefferson Writings in such esteem, that I offered several copies (four so far) to my friends.Thomas Jefferson is also a great bridge between European and American philosophy, wisdom... or lack of it!This book, should be on your bookshelf, next to: Montesquieu "Spirits of Laws" (Also "Causes de la grandeur et du declin de l'empire romain") Rousseau "Du contrat social" John Locke "First and second treatises of tolerance" Edward Gibbons "Fall and decline of the Roman Empire" And a few more, "golden nuggets of knowledge of recent US/Europe history".

I had read many quotes from Thomas Jefferson's works, and have heard him continually lauded as an important and influential writer. Buying this book enabled me to meet the great man face to face. A fascinating and enjoyable read.

An aesthetically pleasing edition of a complete compilation of very strong and important works. This book is not for everyone though, it is extremely complete and may not interest the average reader. Also the edition is very nice but the pages are somewhat delicate. Not for working on the book (highlighting, annotating or sticking post-its): strictly for personal library/brief consulting/ plain reading.

thaks

Excellent