Excellent short biography of a fascinating gentleman farmer from Virginia. The book covered his many accomplishments, as well as discussing his challenges and shortcomings.

A good read that avoids the pitfalls of a dissertation.

I usually avoid biographies that attempt to judge the actions of historical figures through the prism of current views, as though current views are absolutes — that might themselves become quaint or unsettling views 200 years down the road. This book did a fair job of covering the good and the bad in the context of the times without rendering judgement.

I'd heard this was a very good summary of Jefferson's life, brief and unbiased. It was certainly that. Bernstein doesn't shy away from some of the more troubling aspects of Jefferson's life, but he places him in context very well, and tries to give a sense of the tensions between Jefferson's cultural upbringing and his revolutionary ideas. In addition to being the preeminent voice of the American Revolution, his secondary revolution of 1800 was a seminal event in the democratization of American political influence. While some would argue this was not entirely a good thing, and Jefferson himself seemed a bit disillusioned with the country America had become by the end of his life, this book gave a very good overview of the contributions of an enigmatic man, who is one of the most consequential figures in American history.

At less than 200 pages, this a short biography. The life of Jefferson, architect, writer, revolutionary, philosopher, and more would make interesting reading in any form. But in 198 pages his life is told in only the most cursory fashion.

The focus is on an external view of Jefferson, his timeline, and his great accomplishments, but makes little use of the volume of his letters and other writings to round out his portrait.

A worthwhile read, but will definitely leave the reader curious, and desirous of reading Jefferson in his own words.

I didn't get a feel for who Jefferson was. Very factual.

A fantastic biography

This was a quick hit kind of bio of Thomas Jefferson. And honestly, I have learned more on him from reading books that were about other Revolutionary figures. Although it did fill in a few gaps during his presidency. It's more of an overview - hitting on many of the well know stories of Jefferson, talking some about his rivalry with Hamilton, his correspondences with Adams and the various stages of his life.

It's a good book to start with - since really no comprehensive bio exists outside of multiple volumes and there are many books on various eras of his life. The last chapter argues a little his relationship with Sally Hemings and how that became such a big part of the Jefferson fame. It also discusses the rollar coaster affair America has had with Jefferson - loving him and then hating him and then loving him again.

For sure this book paints him as a puzzle that will never be fully solved. All the pieces don't fit. But if you want to discover any real detail, I suggest seeking other sources in areas of interest.

When Dumas Malone wrote Jefferson's biography, it took him six volumes at about 500 pages a pop. Bernstein does it in a single volume with a mere 200 pages. Clearly, some detail is missing, but for what it is, Thomas Jefferson gives a lot of bang. Bernstein outlined the work using the three accomplishments Jefferson requested to have listed as his epitaph: author of the Declaration of Independence, author of a statute of religious rights, and father of the University of Virginia.

Bernstein highlights these accomplishments and couches their significance in descriptions of the culture, economics, and political climate of the time. A number of Jefferson's achievements get glossed over. His eight years as president, for example, fly by in about eight pages.

For a short book on a long subject, however, Bernstein performs admirably. I strongly recommend it for readers who want to learn about Jefferson, but don't want to learn everything about him.

Very well written

Really enjoyed this book. I learned quite a bit about Jefferson that I didn’t know. Well written and easy to read. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in history or Jefferson.

Loved it. Great, quick introduction and overview to TJ's fascinating and flawed life. Thought it was well-balanced and even-handed in its representation of the man. Was inspired by the principles and vision that has made this country.

The short biography gives a good idea of the man in his time. The struggle of being a republican and purist with regard to the constitution and being president still doing as one example the Louisiana purchase shows that in life sticking to principles is not possible. The same goes looking to his views on slavery combining it with "all people are created equal" Like George Washington he felt the problem and tried to justify himself I think in his heart knowing that the position could not stand. The same is true looking at how they dealt with the native Americans. Interesting to realise as Bernstein puts it that these men created a society which in the end had a dynamic in itself that prevented them as Virginian aristrocrats to live the life they wanted to live. Their ideal in the end also affected themselves. I greatly admire their zeal and motivation to create a true liberal society.

R.B. Bernstein's biography on Thomas Jefferson packs a great deal of information into a very little space. Inside this a fewer than two-hundred-and-fifty-page work, is the life of the third president of the United States. Yet, the work has very ease flowing narrative that makes it enjoyable to read.

Thomas Jefferson's entire life is put into to nicely fit little chapters. The Revolution starts right at the second chapter, which makes sense considering Jefferson was only thirty. The second chapter covers Jefferson's glory years in the Continental Congress fighting for independence and authoring the Declaration. While the third and fourth chapters focus on some of Jefferson's less than great moments, such as his disastrous governorship of Virginia to his time as U.S. Minister to France, where he to in love with the French Revolution.

The fifth chapter focuses Jefferson coming home to be the nation's Secretary of State, under President George Washington, that he finds very frustrating and leaves after a single term. The next chapter goes into his brief exile from politics where he plots the campaign of 1796. Through a fluke in the Constitution, in 1796, he is elected his opponent's, John Adams, vice president, and in 1800 is stuck in House of Representatives battling a tie with his own running mate. These elections and his vice presidency are all in chapter seven.

Chapter eight covers his glorious first term as president. From his brilliant inaugural address to his brilliant, although accidental, purchase of the Louisiana territory. Other then the Declaration of Independence, I feel that Jefferson's first term as President is his great accomplishment.

The next chapter covers his not-so-great-second term as President. Although he does abolish U.S. participation in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, his 1808 trade embargo caused a huge economic downturn for the nation. Unpopular though the embargo was, Jefferson's chosen successor, James Madison, is elected to replace him. The final chapter is Jefferson in retirement, his thoughts, fears and founding of the University of Virginia.

"Unfortunately, the students showed little inclination to behave like the serious scholars whom Jefferson had hoped to welcome. Instead, they carried on in ways resembling Jefferson's idle, boisterous classmates at William and Mary. Their favorite activities were drinking, gambling, and riots, all of which Jefferson denounced as `vicious irregularities.' In particular, the students' nighttime raids up and down the Lawn, known as `calathumps,' alarmed and outraged him. Those who took part in calathumps wore masks to avoid being recognized and punished as they shouted and yelled, fired guns into the air and whirled noisemakers, broke windows, and otherwise made a ruckus." p.176

This book is a good one-stop little biography of the nation's third president. The book covers all that was stated in this small review and much more, it has some surprising depth for such a small book. It is a good starting point for someone who knows nothing about Thomas Jefferson.

Good narrative style overview of who Thomas Jefferson was, what he excelled at and what was difficult for him. Just enough information and direct quotes to cover this fascinating person's life and also give a good idea about the who the other players in politics were at the time and what they were doing or trying to accomplish.